Many people may be growing fatter, but not for lack of information on getting thin. New diet and exercise books seem to appear daily. It adds up to a marketplace filled with advice on shedding pounds and building muscles.
But what can they say that hasn't already been said? "What's proven to work every single time is resistance training, cardio, hydration, sleep and solid basic nutrition," says Gunnar Peterson, the personal trainer who got 52-year-old Bruce Willis ready to Die Hard yet again. "I'm sorry it's not sexy.
Peterson believes catchy titles and promises of quick weight-loss may motivate readers to rethink their lifestyle. "If that's what it takes to get someone who's doing nothing up and doing something, then in my mind it's worth it," he says. Here's a roundup of some new titles that aim to inspire this summer: - The Cardio-Free Diet by Jim Karas (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $27.
99) Promise: Lose weight in two weeks by exercising for a total of two hours. Why people might listen: This is the third fitness book by celebrity trainer Karas, who prepped Hugh Jackman for last year's X-Men: The Last Stand. "It kills your weight-loss plan, your joints, your immune system, your body composition, your time, and, most of all, your motivation.
" Instead, he prescribes a strict regimen of strength training to increase muscle mass and kickstart metabolism. Like Smith, he offers detailed meal plans and shuns the idea of dieting without exercising. His message is one you've heard since gym class: Eat less, exercise more.
- The Abs Diet for Women: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Belly and Firm Up Your Body For Life by David Zinczenko (Rodale, $31) Promise: It's all in the subtitle -- sexy abs in six weeks. Why people might listen: Zinczenko is editor-in-chief of Men's Health. Like Karas, he helps beautiful people stay that way.
The book's advance publicity announces that he "helped Nelly Furtado lose her baby weight." Method: By burning belly fat, Zinczenko says, you'll protect your heart, look fabulous and have better sex. Zinczenko is friendly and flexible.
Portion sizes for the six high-fibre, high-protein daily meals are determined by the dieter, and the strength- training workout includes optional cardio. Zinczenko offers "powerfood" recipes (which sound tasty) tips on shopping for produce and a "special bonus section" on psychological strategies. - Bikini Bootcamp: Two Weeks to Your Ultimate Beach Body by Melissa Perlman and Erica Gragg (Broadway, $23) Many people may be growing fatter, but not for lack of information on getting thin.
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