If Your Body Is a Temple, This Book’s for You

If staying on the straight-and-narrow fitness path is your downfall, this book might just help you get religious about exercise once and for all. Written by Madonna’s personal trainer, with an intro by the Material Girl herself, the book is not one of those “get a hard body in 30 days” tomes. Quite the opposite. It stresses long-term goals, perseverance and long-term benefits.

It’s full of messages meant to be motivational that can border on the trite and corny. (“There are no shortcuts.” “The journey itself is the reward.” “Exercise is like prayer--there’s no reason to pray if you’re not a believer.”)

But if pep talks aren’t your style, there’s also some good, basic information on the proven benefits of exercise (healthier heart and weight control, to name two) and details on how to begin a walking, running, cycling, swimming or weight-training program. Caveat: The one-size-fits-all dietary advice should be run by a physician or dietitian before adopting it as gospel.