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On February 13th Hilary Blue circulated on PIEN an interesting evaluation of FITNESS COUNTS, a new publication worth noting by the National Parkinson Foundation in the United States. Another new publication on exercise was reviewed this week in my local newspaper ( Ottawa Citizen ) in a lengthy article which is transcribed below. If you want to order the book by E-mail by the way, simply type in the title at the beginning of the site entitled < www.chaptersGLOBE.com > and order by credit card. ' The key to fitness is not sets, reps and low fat foods, author and personal trainer Ed Gaut writes in the preface to his new book. Whether you are 25 or 75, the key to physical well-being is the same as it was when you were five. It is recapturing the joy of physical activity and eating good food with good friends. Mr. Gaut's appropriately titled new volume THE JOY FITNESS is published by Pierpoint-Martin ( ISBN No. 0964094517 ) lists for $29.95 ( I am presuming Yankee dollars unfortunately! ) and is a 244-page attempt to rekindle that fire in the bodies of those who share his sentiment in theory but not in practice. He peppers the text with helpful fitness and diet tips and some inspirational stories to illustrate the power of positive thinking and dedicated effort, such as the one about a once-hefty female client who food joy in being able to again cross legs like a lady. Realistic expectations are crucial, Mr. Gaut contends, not only regarding the speed at which benefits will become apparent but also in the attitude one takes when embarking on a self-improvement regimen. "The first misconception people have about fitness is that you need to make drastic changes in your life in order to become fit. This is entirely wrong, "he says. "Fitness is not something you adopt like a new hair colour. It is something you integrate gradually into your lifestyle." THE JOY OF FITNESS has received much attention in the U.S. and is being touted by some in the fitness community as a practical, realistic guide to empowering one's self through a healthier way of living. Here is Mr. Gaut with some of the wisdom imparted in his new book. WEIGHT TRAINING Forget those who say lifting weights is only for the young or those who want to be sculpted and rippled. Weight training can help ensure your body retains muscle and overall strength as you get older. The key is to ensure you are using the proper technique ( ask a professional ) and that you are not overdoing it; the weight or resistance level should be set so you can complete 12 to 15 repetitions of an exercise. Mr. Gaut also gives advice in his book on buying exercise equipment and hiring a personal trainer. LEARN HOW TO PLAY AGAIN No matter what diet-pill gurus tell you, you can't become and stay fit without being physically active. But instead of trying complex exercises or purchasing all the latest workout devices, most people will find it easier and more enjoyable to "remember how to play." Children play with whatever is available, for as long as they feel like, without bothering to messier distances or record time. So turn a saunter into a brisk walk, dust off that old bike, or just hop into a pool and frolic around without worrying about doing precise lengths or demonstrating perfect form. It's a great way to get started. EAT FOR FITNESS Distinguish between physical and psychological hunger. Listen to your body and try to make sure you eat only when you actually need to, not when depression or boredom drive you to it. Be aware of the number of calories in the food you choose, but don't let those numbers rule your life. If you eat well-balanced meals and get regular physical exercise., you shouldn't need ot worry about counting calories. Tips for better eating: Make vegetables the centrepiece of some meals instead of always a side dish; have a modest amount of lean protein with every meal (if having scrambled eggs, for instance, break three eggs but remove two of the yolks ); and reduce fat intake by, in part, doing such simple things as using nonfat cooking sprays instead of butter or oil and baking or broiling dishes instead of frying. THINK POSITIVELY Fitness starts in the head, Mr. Gaut says. " I know from experience that many overly fat people suffer from negative thinking, poor self-esteem and one form of depression or another. Unfortunately, it becomes a vicious circle." Because fortune favours positive thinkers, it is essential that an upbeat attitude be one of the first steps taken on the road to improved fitness. Acknowledge your accomplishments, don't dwell on any setbacks, imagine how your health will improve in the future, set realistic goals and learn to accept what you cannot change. These are the fundamental aspects of a reformed way of thinking, one that can open the door to understanding the joy of fitness. ' The article in the newspaper also contains copies of some of the many pictures in the publication in the same manner as the NPF's new book. Obviously it is not written however specifically for Parkie readers. Albeit, as a fitness fanatic myself, I am not sure this is a weakness. The key here, as mentioned under the section on WEIGHT TRAINING, is to develop an exercise program, which by necessity in my opinion should include some " pumping of iron", under the aegis of a personal trainer. In my own case I selected a professional with a background in physical therapy and weight training, and with experience in dealing with persons with Parkinson's. I should also mention that although the book was published sometime in 1998, it has not yet crossed the border, or at least arrived at the bookstore market in Ottawa. Perhaps there are other fitness followers south of the border in our midst that would have read the book and could evaluate this review. Hope to hear some feedback. Cheers, Ken Clements 65/2 < [log in to unmask] >