Fitness Friday: Books and Programs I Recommend
Looking for a great book on fitness or nutrition? Wondering what workout programs I have tried AND love? Here you go!
P90X, by Beachbody: This is a DVD-driven fitness program with a supplemental diet guide. If you are already fit and are looking for a program to take you to the next level, this is for you. I whole-heartedly endorse the fitness portion, having done the complete program myself (twice). It includes a wide variety of strength, cardio and stretching workouts that you do at home. I have looked at the diet guide, but, honestly, find it to be a bit confusing. You can find everything you’ve ever wanted to know about what I know about P90X in these two posts:An Unnoficial Preliminary Assessment of P90X
P90X: My Official Assessment
P90X2, by Beachbody: This is the follow-up to the wildly popular, P90X. Focusing on a combination of balance, strength, agility, flexibility and endurance, this DVD-driven workout program is on the cutting edge of fitness–and it is a lot of fun! The diet guide is easy to follow and includes delicious recipes. I highly recommend this program to any person who is already fit and wants to take your fitness to new heights. I lost 3.3% body fat, 9 inches and 10 pounds on this program!! You can read all about that in this post:
P90X3, by Beachbody. This is my favorite workout routine, hands down. It’s simple (not easy, but the moves are simple), it’s well-rounded and it’s fun. Also, every workout is only 30 minutes. It’s a full 90-day routine, by the way. It’s great if you’re just starting out and it’s great when you’ve been working out for 30 years. This is my go-to routine when I’m in between other programs. I especially love the yoga routine in this one–I do it every week, without fail. If you aren’t sure where to start, I’d start here.
22 Minute Hard Corps, by Beachbody: If you are short on time, but don’t mind working hard, this is your workout. It’s an 8-week bootcamp-style routine with 22-minute workouts. Truly. The movements are simple, but you do a LOT of them with very short breaks. As with all Tony Horton workouts, you can easily modify if you are a beginner, and you can hit the pause button if you need a longer break. For a longer routine, I like to add the optional 11-minute warm-up and 11-minute core routine. You can order it here.
30-Day Shred, By Jillian Michaels: This is a high-intensity 20-minute-a-day workout DVD. It incorporates strength-training with 1-minute cardio bursts. The workout has three levels, each increasing in intensity. This workout is great for the person who is pressed for time and wants to simply stay fit.
Body For Life, by Bill Phillips: This is a 12-week workout and diet regimen that incorporates weighlifting and cardiovascular exercise. This workout can be completed at home or in a gym, so it’s good for just about anyone. Unlike P90X, this is not DVD-driven. Also, unlike P90X, the diet guide is super easy to follow. Basically, you eat five to six small meals a day from an extensive list of approved foods, combining one portion of a carbohydrate with one portion of a protien and unlimited green vegetables. You get one free day a week. The one thing I cannot endorse about the diet, however, is the use of artificial sweeteners. “Diet” items are on the approved list. Although, this program was originally written before much of the research on artificial sweeteners was published or known.
I have done Body For Life many times over the last 10 years with excellent results. You can read more about my thoughts on Body For Life by clicking here: Body For Life: I Did It!
Master Your Metabolism, by Jillian Michaels
One of the best books on diet that I’ve ever read. Easy to read, well-researched and practical. If you wondered if/how the chemicals in food were affecting your weight, this book will answer those questions and give you simple, practical steps you can take toward ridding your body of environmental toxins.
For all posts where I mention Jillian Michaels you can click here:
Posts Labeled Jillian Michaels
Diet for a New America, by John Robbins This book made me try veganism and made my carnivore husband drastically reduce his meat intake. If you’ve wondered what in the world is going on with conventional meat and dairy…this is your book. Now a classic, a very well-written and compassionate, sincere advocacy of change in human dietary habits aiming to promote human health as well as protect animal life and the earth’s environments and resources.
Super-Size Me This is the movie that started it all for Fitness Friday Girl. I mean, I always liked to exercise and always ate pretty healthy…but this movie. Geez-Louise. It should be required viewing for all Americans.
I talk about Super-Size Me here:
The Truth About Your Food Supply
The Maker’s Diet, by Jordan S. Rubin, This book changed the way I ate more than any other. It explores the Biblical dietary laws of the Old Testament and shows how eating according to this plan can drastically change your health.
Eat Fat, Get Thin: Why the Fat We Eat is the Key to Sustained Weight Loss and Vibrant Health, by Mark Hyman, If you are still counting fat grams and reaching for skim milk and fat-free cookies, you need to read this book. This puts the final nail in the coffin of the Fat Free Craze of the 80s and 90s and gives you permission to eat those eggs, yolks and all.
Hey, have you tried crossfit? I realize that I am no where near in shape to do it. But I know a couple people that swear by it. They love it. Most intense crazy thing they've ever done. Even Bob Harper (biggest loser) is talking about it and how it beats his butt.
My favorite exercise person – Jackie Warner. To me she is more motivating than Jillian and her work outs on dvd are fast moving, intense, and most importantly, effective!
Ana, I have never heard of Crossfit. I will have to check that out!
Donna: Jackie Warner?? Again, not someone I've ever tried!
I'm excited to check these recommendations out, ladies! Thanks!