The No Sweat Exercise Plan: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, and Live Longer
October 12, 2010 by admin
Filed under Weight Loss Books
Product Description
No Stress. No Strain. No Sweat. Forget Pilates machines, gym memberships, and marathons. To get the health benefits of exercise, you need only to ramp up your everyday activities. In The No Sweat Exercise Plan, Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Harvey B. Simon, M.D., shows you how to fit fitness into your daily routine–without breaking a sweat. Dr. Simon’s motto is “No pain, big gains.” His simple program is guaranteed to help you: … More >>
The No Sweat Exercise Plan: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, and Live Longer
I read about half of this book and there is nothing new in it. It is very outdated and mainly states that any exercise is good.
Rating: 1 / 5
This book is both well-written and informative. I was especially interested to learn that I do not need to run 75 miles per week to be reasonably healthy and fit.
Rating: 5 / 5
Despite the 230+ page format, author and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Harvey B. Simon’s premise in “The No Sweat Exercise Plan: Lose Weight, Get Healthy and Live Longer” takes a page out of lifetime exercise guru Jack LaLanne’s recipe for a healthy and long life. The idea, so simple that it really isn’t necessary to spend $21.95 on the book, can be summed up albeit it gratuitously with the catch phrase, “Keep on Truckin’” So sorry, Harvey.
Okay. Now you might have the inclination to want to `read all about it’ and Dr. Simon does provide a semi-interesting format immersed in enough medical no-how to satisfy all those out there who have a need for those special credentials that validate information as `expert testimony.’ Keep in mind that Simon as a medical doctor demands the requisite tests that the medical community deems `preventative medicine’ and he elaborately explains the dangers of certain body signals like BMI, hypertension, high cholesterol, HDL levels etc. to help the reader to understand just how exercise as a panacean solution in general helps to slow the aging process. Mainly, Simon debunks the need for heavy-duty sweat-inducing aerobics and prescribes a European lifestyle without the saturated high fat cheeses, (although he uses strictly American examples) of moving about rather than relying on the couch potato contrivances and conveniences of modern life.
Simply said, Simon advocates four types of exercise where what he calls CME—cardo-metabolic exercise—wins as hands down most important. Using an elaborate point system he rates any exercise that elevates your heart rate and stokes up your metabolism, suggesting that around 1000 points a week should maintain good health for those without special needs. He sites 2000 points a week for those who may seriously want to lose weight. Typically, one would receive 200 points for jogging at the rate of 12 minutes per mile for 30 minutes as opposed to 165 points for 30 minutes of golfing while carrying your own clubs. Whether or not you sweat or not, Simon says is not the issue. Moving around (walking) for sustained periods of time on a daily basis remains paramount to insure good health. In his No Sweat Basic Pyramid, Dr, S suggests that good eating with an eye on nutrition provides the fuel the body needs to sustain itself—here the standard approach of watching calories in a 15% protein – 25% to 35% fat – 50% to 60% carbohydrate breakdown, avoiding sugars, trans-fats and processed foods maintains optimal vitamin and mineral intake. Following a substantial CME block on the pyramid, the three other types of exercise gain the spotlight, beginning with strength training as a separate component then a shared block of flexibility and balance training. Simon details all four types of exercise with actual diagrammed routines, establishing what he preaches as an undeniable “no brainer.” Anyone who has been keeping active for years already knows what it takes the bulk of the book to say. I repeat, `just keep moving—-use weight bearing exercise to keep up your muscle mass, stretching to keep your body limber and balance to prevent falling.
At the pinnacle of the No Sweat pyramid, Simon places preventative medicine and hoists a flag atop to alert one to the perils of too much stress in modern life. No real new news here, however Simon does take out the time to help you construct a `my-pyramid’ of your own to help you realize your personal health goal and spends a few extra chapters explaining some of the common complaints people may initially have about adding a daily exercise regime to their life. For those who have perspired routinely in gyms and in the outdoors for over the last 25 years, he lists the types of sweaty exercise machines one can utilize to maximize the burn.
Bottom line: if your thing is to read about what you already know and have heard about for years, check this tome out of the library and get down and dirty with expert medical information about the whys and wherewithal-s pertaining to what you are already doing to maintain your health. If you haven’t started yet – shame on you—this book can provide some grist for your exercise mill and set you on the right path for the future. With that in mind, I can only recommend this book to those who have been living under a rock for the last 30+ years—-everyone else need not spend the going rate to vindicate their own common sense.
Rating: 4 / 5
This book leads you to a simple plan that anyone can do in the least obvious places. Sitting behind your desk, walking down the street, and, as my wife will do, while shopping in the malls.
Good health is just an easy read away.
Rating: 5 / 5
I used to go to the gym pretty regularly but since I started my new job, I’ve pretty much dropped out. This terrific book will help me get back in shape without ever climbing back on the elliptical. It’s clear, comprehensive and practical. First rate! I would highly suggest purchasing this book!
Rating: 5 / 5