Product Description

This remarkably rich book explores the most frequently asked about (and misunderstood) aspects of health, nutrition, and fitness. Each subject is addressed in non-technical language that aims to replace myths and misinformation with easy-to-apply knowledge. Ideal for individuals at any level of health and fitness experience, and for personal trainers and related health & fitness professionals who wish to share information with their clients in terms that they can understand. Includes information on Exercise (abs, stretching, workouts, body-building, weights, what works & what doesn't), Health (heart, cholesterol, osteoporosis, body fat tests, weight loss), Nutrition (vitamins, health foods, diets supplements, ergogenc aids), Pain & Injury (back pain, neck, shoulder, and knee pain, ankle sprains, leg cramps, headaches) and much, much more.

Produced in cooperation with the American Council on Exercise.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1025929 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 364 pages

From the Publisher
This updated, larger edition of Health & Fitness in Plain English adds to the previous edition with new information and all-new sections on abs, nutrition, healthy eating, hormone replacement and bone-building medications, stretching, and good and bad exercises. Expanded chapters include back pain, ergogenic aids, muscle soreness, and improving your fitness.

About the Author
Jolie Bookspan, Ph.D., is a sports medicine specialist and physiologist. She has authored three medical textbooks and contributed to nine others, and has written numerous articles for technical and popular health magazines. Twice paralyzed, she rehabilitated herself using her own methods. Both times she walked again against all expectations. She is a black belt in karate and lives with her husband, Paul in Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

The Experts Love This Book
"Dr. Bookspan gives us a ton of super information, a tremendous amount of research, and a very strong knowledge of what is happening inside of us."
- Ed Cargile -- Military Special Operation Forces, deep submersible pilot, fourth degree Black Belt and long-distance cyclist.

Rejoice at finding a book--especially a health book--absolutely free of clutter. Dr. Jolie Bookspan has admirably kept her promise to use 'plain English.' Each of the 31 chapters is headed by an appropriate and often hilarious quotation. They represent both sides of the argument and, in doing so, reflect the author's willingness to play the game fair and square. In short, she doesn't stack the cards.
- Bobby Harrell, Chestnut Hill Local

Dr. Jolie Bookspan has, in my opinion, some of the best credentials available for explaining difficult health and fitness concepts in simple, easy-to-understand terms. Her approach to health and fitness is balanced-she weighs the benefits and problems of all the major issues. Her approach is also distinguished by a good-humored sense of realism.
- Lisa Rathert, Editor mydailyhealth.com

I was thrilled to discover this book's comprehensive coverage of all aspects of health and fitness. There is not one topic missing from the long list of information I was looking for. More importantly the practicality of the information and the clear and concise explanations helped me understand the "whys" behind the "hows". The practical down-to-earth and straightforward advice offered in this book is second to none and should grace the shelves of anyone interested in health and fitness.
-Joni Lawrence, Merck International Health Program Coordinator

Jolie is the "St. Jude of the Joints. If there is a way for you to get better, she'll find it.
- Dr. James Mann, Surgeon Podiatrist, Joslyn Clinic Harvard School of Medicine.

All my fitness questions answered in one book
I bought this book in conjunction with "The Ab Revolution" and since putting the advice contained in both into practice, I feel better and more importantly, I feel like I'm getting much more out of my workouts. The books advocate incorporating fitness strategies into your daily life, not just during an hour or two doing obligatory "exercise". I am a real gym rat and enjoy the time I spend there, but I never gave much thought to working on my fitness level throughout the day. For example, now I run up the four flights of stairs at work several times a day to work on my anaerobic capacity, thanks to the abs book and the info on abs in the Health and Fitness book I get a lot more out of my time spent on the stairmaster and elliptical machines because I maintain proper posture.

I always have a million questions related to proper stretching, proper weightlifting technique (eg lower weight more reps? or more weight fewer reps?), etc. and this book is proving to be an invaluable reference tool - so much so that now I schlep it around in my gym bag.

The author does a very good job of explaining complicated exercise physiology so that people like me understand and can apply the concepts. I feel like I'm really progressing now whereas before I always wondered whether I was working hard enough, etc. I've been on a weightloss/fitness building mission for almost a year now and now I'm as motivated as I was in the beginning because I feel like I know what I'm doing.