Fit Hits and Misses From a New Series
Adapting a series of printed books to audio, HighBridge has launched a series aimed at the average person seeking general fitness advice. A listener in need of basic information may find these helpful, although the printed versions contain more information and are generally more accessible.
“The Smart Guide to Getting Thin and Healthy,” by Katharine Colton, is the best of the lot, as it works extremely well on audio. Colton offers strategies and tips to avoid overeating and remain positive. Her attitude toward weight loss is reasonable and nonjudgmental. She approaches fitness with the mind-set that we should not obsess over scales or charts, but listen to what our bodies tell us. Feeling healthy, she says, is more important than looking like a model. Fad diets, foods that fuel us and foods that pad us are all part of this interesting audio lecture. Colton makes this information understandable without patronizing the listener. This insightful and inspiring audio is heartily recommended for teenagers and preteens, as it offers a strong basic foundation for good health.
“The Smart Guide to Getting Fit and Strong,” by Carole Bodger, explains the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise. She tells us how to measure body fat and achieve fitness levels. She discusses different workouts, the mind-body connection, the role of nutrition, and different strategies for breaking bad habits. This is a basic guide and is not intended for super athletes. It explains metabolism and the difference between a complex and simple carbohydrate. However, some of this is repeated in the “Smart Guide to Getting Thin and Healthy.” Also, basic information about calibrating body fat is something you may wish to refer back to and is therefore more accessible in a printed format. Also, the printed version contains more information and is thus a better buy.
“Smart Guide to Vitamins and Healing Supplements,” by Ruth A. Ricker, is the least successful of the three guides. It is, basically, a laundry list of vitamins and supplements. Extremely cursory, it does not detail dosages. Consider this merely a springboard for anyone interested in specific herbs or vitamins, as one absolutely should not begin to self-medicate a problem with such inadequate guidelines. Again, the printed version of this guide offers more detailed information, including sidebars and tables.
Suzanne Ford energetically reads all three of the Smart Guides. She has a soft, feminine voice and clear diction. Most important, she remains upbeat even when the material is a bit dry, thus maintaining our attention.