Fit By Nature: The Adventx Twelve-Week Outdoor Fitness Program

Fit By Nature: The Adventx Twelve-Week Outdoor Fitness Program

I bought this book about 6 weeks ago after reading about it in a northwest hiking magazine. The exercises (described clearly) in the book are pretty typical total body conditioning/resistance exercises that many fitness trainers teach. The interesting and most valuable thing is the way the author, John Colver, combines these exercises into workout sessions that are very complete and challenging. The most imortant concept of the book is a workout he calls "The Daily Dozen" a set of 12 exercises that take 12 minutes to perform (45 seconds per exercise and 15 seconds of rest). I've been doing this 4-5 times per week for the past 4 weeks and it has increased my fitness level. Because it takes so little time each day, it has solved one of my major problems with conditioning: consistency. 12 minutes is completely achievable even on busy days and, with no equipment required, very doable in a hotel room when traveling. I haven't quite worked up to doing these daily yet but I can already see results in the mirror. I know many women may think they do not like these kind of exercises but this workout has accencuated my figure more than anything I have done since working out regularly with a trainer. The work on obliques and glutes pays off. I definitely recommend this book.

I was reluctant to order the paperback version because I wasn't sure how good it was going to be so I purchased the ebook version. I am glad I did because I wouldn't have been happy with the extra cost of the paperback version.

The title leads the reader to believe that the book includes information specific to outdoor training. Other than a small chapter on training by the season and one on proper clothing, there isn't much info specific to training outdoors. Most of the information could just as easily be used for training anywhere. While this may seem like a good thing, I was expecting more info specific to the outdoors. I already have a lot of books geared to general bodyweight exercises so this book didn't provide anything that I didn't already have. If someone didn't have any knowledge on bodyweight exercise then this may be an OK title to have but honestly I could point to other less expensive titles that actually contain more information.

Overall it's not a bad book. It's just a little misleading with it's title as there isn't enough information on training outdoors. For a better book on outdoor training I would recommend "Tina Vindum's Outdoor Fitness" instead. The author of that book covers ways of using outdoor objects for various exercises. She also addresses the physical and mental health aspects of training outdoors.

UPDATE 10/23/2011After reading John Colver's comments to my initial review I realized that I didn't mention the program at all. My initial reasoning behind the purchase of the book was to get more info regarding the use of the environment for exercise purposes. In other words, I wanted more ideas for using the environment to make exercises harder or more enjoyable. So, when I reviewed the book it was based on the narrow focus of what WASN'T in the book as compared to what WAS in the book. While the book didn't have the exact info that I was looking for at the time, the actual info that is covered is very good.

The first section of the book starts off with what John calls the "starting blocks". These are essentially 4 blocks that form the foundation of the "Fit By Nature" program. From there the book goes into training by the season and addresses a basic phasic training cycle based on periodization. Injury prevention and safety are also covered. There is a small chapter on fueling the body for activity as well.

The meat of the book is the exercise program itself. John doesn't include every exercise under the sun. Instead he includes the exercises that are known to work. The exercises are then put together in various formats to create workouts. These workouts are then varied throughout the program to cover 12 full weeks of training. The basis of the program is variety. So, while you may use some of the same exercises there is plenty of variety built into the program to keep the workouts motivating. All aspects of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, etc) are covered in these workouts ranging from circuit training to steady-state running (or swimming, cycling, etc.). If that isn't enough, the program is also broken down into such detail that nobody should have trouble following it.

Overall the program is solid and I wanted to make sure that I made that clear. My initial issue wasn't with what WAS in the book but rather what WASN'T. That being the case I have changed my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars.

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As an older competitive powerlifter, I am often asked for advice from people who want to get in shape, or get back into shape. These are people with many good excuses, demanding work and child care schedules, or lots of travel. Getting back in shape after pregnancy is another fitness challenge. I spend thousands a year on professional coaching and many hours in a basement gym with no shower. This book offers an alternative that is doable even with the kids along (maybe even better with the kids along.) Although this is an outdoor program, it has adaptations for bad weather, and hotel stays. Calisthenics were a dirty word when I had Jr. High P.E. In this book they get polished up and packaged in the daily dozen that actually that can be done in 12 minutes and hopefully will be addictive! In this book you have a coach at your fingertips. The workouts are planned out for you with great variety so you won't get bored. The book has its spiritual side as well, helping us to get out of our incessant thinking and into experiencing our breath, body and place in nature.

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Loved it. Common sense stuff but without the gym crap (although personally I like the gym crap too)! Anyone can do it at any pace, one foot in front of another as fast and as long as you want to/need to go. I liked it particularly the easy to follow pictures and directions. All that's missing is the personal goal and away you go!

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I love this book! It is beautiful, well organized and easy to use.

I am also a personal fried of the author and many of the models and am part of the Adventx program in Seattle. Everyone I know who is pictured in the book or has been involved in its creation lives the benefits that this book has to offer. It is not a theoretical, but a practical program that has allowed all involved with Adventx to set and reach fitness goals we never imagined were possible, from marathons to triathlons to climbing mountains around the world.

Whatever your current fitness level and whatever your fitness goals, you can benefit from what this book has to offer

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Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care

This is one of the best overall books I read on Essential Oil and their uses. With more recipes that you can shake a floppy disk at. I recommend this book to anyone who is or would like to craft(make) there own natural beauty care items and perfumes. This book contains a good foundation aromatheray uses of the EO and EO blends. It eazy to understand for the beginner. Yet, I belive it is a book you will use as a referance for years to come. I know I will.

A very good book, easy to read, it explains alot and has many recipes that are very useful. Great book!

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Especially for the beginner to intermediate aromatherapist and cosmetics maker, this book is an excellent resource. It's organized well and gives a quick description of most of the oils one would find themselves using to make potent, functional products. Lots of great recipes, though don't expect to be handed the methods for creating soaps, lotions, etc. This is more about proper usage of oils and their functions. I always have this book handy. While in no way is it a comprehensive source for all oils and all treatments, it remains one of my favorite resources for quick reference, even after several years.

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I found this book very helpful for my soap and lotion business. Erich Keller makes interesting suggestions for the use of skin care products and for combinations of essential oils. There are also recipes included. It goes beyond the usual skin care book.

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Very happy with the book, and the condition it was in, careful delivery. Great book, with handy tips I can use right away :)

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Krav Maga: An Essential Guide to the Renowned Method--for Fitness and Self-Defense

I did two plus years of krav maga pretty religiously, to green belt level. I got this book, and I would say it is very good. It is the only book out there that details basic krav maga techniques, and for that, I think we should thank the author. I was a bit surprised to hear the Israeli guy say it is not real military krav maga, because I trained several times here in the U.S. with Israeli Seals and paratroopers and I see no real difference between their system and what David teaches (plus, the krav maga I learned is the exact program designed in Israel by Imi for the IDF). Yes, there is a lot of "politics" in martial arts (!), and yes, it is very "par for the course". The author states that he travelled to Israel to learn krav maga, so I also found it odd that someone would say he doesn't know the "Israeli version of krav maga". I found this book to be a really solid intro. to krav maga. It is just, there is nothing like the intensity of a krav maga class. If you have been in a class, the intensity is just so real and important, and you can't get that from a book. I recall doing like 30 seconds of hard knees into a pad someone was holding, with 3 krav guys yelling at me to "stay in the fight". I recall being in a darkened room, with people with pads pushing in on me, with my eyes closed, and someone yells "gun !!", and you have to fight your way out past the people and find the gun guy and defeat him. I recall the adrenaline, the stress, the sweat. You of course can't get all those "military" things in a book, but you can at least see the krav maga program. I think this book is a good introduction to krav maga.

I have studied various martial arts for years. I was fortunate enough to have had an instructor early on whose primary focus was practical self-defense, in other words, what would actually work in a street fight, mugging, ambush, etc. The techniques in this book are the same I have learned over the years. They are practical, and they work. The thing about this book I was happiest to see was the instructor's admission that: in a fight, you're going to get hit/hurt, possibly more than once, and that you must defend yourself to the best of your ability while striving to end the fight as quickly as you can with the appropriate amount of force (you're not going to immediately gouge the eyes out of some drunk who's a little overly friendly in a bar, but you may need to if he follows you out and tries to rape you). I also like the fact that he has included reality: it may take several blows from you before your attacker succumbs. Don't just hit a man once in the throat; hit him as many times as you safely can. Overall a good read, and if you can remember and apply these techniques in a crisis situation you're ahead of the game, but it still doesn't take the place of taking a class in a martial art and feeling what it's like, under controlled conditions, to actually block someone's strike, grapple with them, punch back, etc. But remember and apply these techniques if necessary, and this book very well could save your life.

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I typically don't get involved in writing reviews of products. But I felt it was my Amazon civic duty to inform all who are interested, that the material covered in this book is clear and thoughtfully presented. Compared to the Imi Sde-Or (Lichtenfeld) book, the author takes an approach more oriented to the civilian. The book will make an excellent addition to the library of a beginner or intermediate Kravist or for anyone interested in the system.

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Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is David Kahn's, "Krav Maga."

After a brief introduction, David gives you a good basic overview of Krav Maga including some of its history. From here he goes right into a section on philosophy, which is very good, and one in which I would have to agree with about 90% of what he has to say.

The next section in the book gives a good overview on the proper mindset needed in order for you to prepare yourself for combat. Something a lot of books fail to do, but not this one. David also gives you a basic understanding of the vital/vulnerable points on the human body.

David's next section is rather brief to my liking, but still a good overview on the basic principles involved in striking correctly for maximum effect. This section covers such strikes as; punches, palm heel strikes, elbow strikes, and eye gouges. There is also a small section on blocks and parrying as it is called in boxing.

The following section covers various lower body strikes and kicks along with kick defenses, which include deflections, blocks and grabs. This next section was particularly interesting in that it discussed close combat fighting and techniques essential to this section. Such as; falling, crawling, clinching, takedowns, defenses against tackles, etc.

The escape section was very enlightening as David covered the basic principles of escape from basic grabs, chokes while standing, chokes while lying down, head locks, hair grabs, and bear hugs.

Like most books that try to cover too much in one volume, I feel that the sections themselves although very well done, tend to be too brief on the proper execution of each individual technique. However, having said that, this is to be expected as the scope of this book is intended as a basic overview of the complete system, not a single volume devoted to one particular technique.

The only fault that I have with this book is the fact that I would have preferred actual photographs for demonstrating the techniques, rather than illustrations. I felt that a lot of what David was trying to explain got lost with the use of illustrations compared to if he would have used actual photographs.

The book continues with a brief section on basic strategies, which I found to be very solid. It then finishes with a basic training section which covers stretching, training programs, a 12 week training routine, and sparring.

Overall, this is a very good basic overview on the art of Krav Maga, and one you definitely want to acquire, especially if you decide to join a Krav Maga class. And that is not a bad idea at all.

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This book is AMAZING. I've often been a critic of martial arts books because it's very hard for me to learn from books. The creators of martial arts books don't always make it easy to learn from their books either...and let's face it, some martial arts don't lend themselves well to book form.

David Kahn has OUTDONE himself with Krav Maga: The Contact Combat System of the Israel Defense Forces. The format of this book is very eye catching and uses a lot of bold text, boxed text and special sections to hold the readers attention. While much of the material can be considered "basic self-defense" by some standards, I found myself learning a new perspective on every nearly every page. Even though I've seen these techniques before, I had never seen them packaged and categorized in the way David has done it.

I'm going to make a bold statement here...I can actually learn Krav Maga from this book! That's right! We all know that going to a class is the best way to learn any martial art. But this particular book even surpases DVD's in my opinion in an applicable way to learn effective self-defense.

I try nearly everything that lands on my doorstep for review. I enjoy a lot of it, but nothing, not one thing on this website has impressed me the way this simple book did. I wish I owned 50 copies and could give them out to family and friends.

If you follow what David is saying and practice in the SUPERB way he has it laid out, you will learn self-defense and Krav Maga. I am following David's 12 week program right now and I will finish it. I was VERY sore after the first day which was a suprise! This isn't just a fitness program or something, you are drilling the techniques and building muscle memory.

Summary: I have quite simply never come across a martial arts book THIS inspiring and THIS good...ever...period. It's a MUST READ for anyone concerned about self-defense, fitness or Krav Maga.

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Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898 (Dover Fashion and Costumes)

Extensive and detailed illustrations, with good captions (including dates), divided into four style periods (1867-1874, 1875-1882, 1883-1890, 1891-1898). Narrative introduction to each period gives the general style trends. Very useful: includes hairstyles, shoes, parasols, aprons, decorative details, children's clothing, etc.

What would romance writers do without Dover and their marvelous historical books? These books and even era paper dolls are inexpensive, and yet, thorough works that really can put you into the period. This book is stunning.

Victorian Fashion from Harper's Bazaar 1867-1898 is definitive book on Victorian fashions, however, while is stunning work, you should buy Full-Color Victorian Fashions from Dover Publishing as well. Together they are everything you need. This book goes in rich detail, just not the dresses but down to hair and accessories. It's broken down into four sections: 1) Bustles and Puff (1867-1874) 2) Natural Forma and Cuirass Body (1875-1882) 3) Return of the Bustle (1883-1890) and 4) Hourglass Figure (1891-1898). The drawings are detailed and cover every aspect of fashion of this era.

An absolute must for romance writers of this period. High recommended.

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Victorian Fashions and Costumes is eye candy for anyone interested in fashion history.

The arrangement of the book in chronological order by year makes it very easy to find historically correct garments, accessories, and hair styles. A brief overview of characteristics specific to the era is included in each section. Most pictures have captions that identify the type of garment and often the fabrics and colors used in a garment.

I used information in this book to create a bodice and bustle representative of the period for a skirt Mary Todd Lincoln wore in 1872 in England.

With all the historical patterns available in the major pattern books, the costumer or reenactor can find a basic pattern and add the correct construction details and embellishments. I enjoy browsing the book and wondering what life was like for the women who wore these clothes. If you are looking for information about the clothing worn by the common woman, you won't find it here. After all, this is from Harper's Bazar, the Vogue of the 19th Century.

Becky

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The book was filled with page after page of clothing and accessories, from swim suits to formal wear. The detail of how women adorned themselves and their outfits was very informative. I know that it catered to the upper-class, but it would have been nice to see more for women of a lower class. Also, there was barely anything for men of any class.

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If you're like me and can't afford to purchase thirty one years worth of original Harpers Bazaar publications, this will fill the void. I actually own two, one to cut up and photocopy, so I can play with coloring a dress before I make it. It covers all the minutia of Haute Couture. Gowns for different occasions, times of day, traveling, dressing gowns, nightwear and undergarments. It also has plates for accessories, shoes, jewelry, gloves, stockings, hats. There are hair combs, ornaments, extensions, and a couple styling techniques. Children's clothing is also included. The major fashion plates have fairly detailed descriptions of the garment features.

There is also a good glossary of terms and colors in the back of the book. Which is a great help for some of the more obscure descriptions.

Too bad there's no color plates.....leaves more for the imagination to fill in I suppose. And BOY will this book keep you dreaming!

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The Ultimate Smoothie Book: 101 Delicious Recipes for Blender Drinks, Frozen Desserts, Shakes, and M

My husband and I have been trying to switch from our unhealthy, sugar-laden, fast-food ridden eating habits to a more organic, whole-food way of eating for a few years now, but it is not an easy thing to do. One of the hardest parts for us was eating 5-8 servings of fruits and veggies everyday, especially when we were trying not to add any processed food to the mix.

Well, this book makes it easy to get all of your vitamins, minerals, protein, and more, with recipes that are really easy to prepare, and if you follow the instructions, really, really delicious. It really only takes a few minutes to throw together a smoothie. Especially if you follow her tips on things you can prepare the night before (for a morning smoothie). Plus, she has tips on freezing smoothies for future enjoyment.

The ingredients are not hard to find, if you actually try. There are things like organic protein powder, flax-seed oil, and rose water in some of the recipes, but if you go into a health food store, or look online (if you don't have a local health food store), they are not difficult to find at all. The author tells you where to find most of the ingredients, anyway. The first time I went out to look for them, I just wrote them all down, and found them all, without any help. It did cost a little money up front to stock up on everything, but it all lasted me quite a while (I still have about half a can of protein powder that I bought a few months ago.) It's kind of like when you run out of all your condiments all at once, and you have to go stock up, but then you have them for a long time.

Not all of the recipes include "exotic" ingredients, though. Some are just strawberries, oranges, yogurt and ice (or something like that). I think there's one that has only grapes and blueberries.

The book has a section that tells you briefly about the different health benefits of many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and supplements, as well as when they are in season, and how to wash/prepare/measure them. This section is very, very useful.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to better their health, or who just loves smoothies. However, I would recommend buying a juicer. Many things, like ginger root, taste much better juiced than grated, so you don't have to have all the little pieces in your drink. I love this book!!

I was so excited when my Smoothie book came in the mail. To my surprize it wasnt what I expected. Some of the ingredients are exotic. Some of the recipes the average person will NOT make. My suggestion is to go to dannon.com or kraft.com and get their recipes they are practical and best of all FREE!

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This is my favorite smoothie book. I use it at least three times a week. Cherie Calbom's smoothie recipes are chock filled with healty ingredients and are delicious. She prefaces her recipes with chapters full of information on juicing, fruits and vegetables, and other ingredients. Then it's on to a plethora of smoothie creations bound to please every family member. The only reason I do not rate this book 5 stars is the added cost of purchasing a juicer if you desire to get optimal nutritional value from fruit juices and the cost of some of the suggested supplements. It would also be helpful to have access to a natural foods grocery store. That being said, this smoothie book is a must for those seeking tasty, nutitious drinks.

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I actually bought this for my mom about a year ago and she's still whirling up those smoothies. She loves the recipes and has been inspired to try out other concoctions as well. I've tried a few of the drinks and all have been delicious. I really like how they have the different sections like immune booster and the like because it shows you not only a good recipe in that sort of category but also helps you to learn about what foods are particularly helpful in certain ways. Four thumbs up from me and my mom.

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This book is an easy and great way to eat healthy. If the idea of starting your day with a powerhouse of health is a smoothie made with, just for example almonds, soy milk,frozen bannana ( peel prior to freezing) and icecubes or prunes, yogurt, oat bran, flaxseed and frozen strawberries appeal to you than this is the book for you. Unbelievably they taste great. No added sugar. We use this book all the time and we find the recipies delicious and easy to make. The beginnning of the book has info on ingredients, supplements and making exhanges. If it is cranberry season or blueberry season or if you have almonds, oatmeal, oatbran, ,soymilk, yogurt, cashews, all kinds of foods, you will find something delicious to make. We always feel so healthy starting our day with these smoothies that lots could be easily considered a cold smooth meal in a glass. The book is packed with information, no glossy pictures and so easy to use. I have to say I think it is the best way to starting your day with a healthy, delicious diet. Shockingly easy and great tasting. Thank-you author. I toast you to for doing this book and to your and our good heath.

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Herbs and Herb Lore of Colonial America

I was so excited when I got this book as I am highly interested in plants that were used during colonial times in America. I am especially interested in what the plant useage was (food, medicine, construction etc) and was hoping to discover some new information on both native and introduced plants during that time.

Oh how HIGHLY disappointed I was! The introduction was the only part of the entire book that was written in adult language. I discovered that this is an unedited reprint of a book written as a compilation of information by a group of women in the 1970s. I don't know who they are, but this book should be rewritten at minimum for the writing style.

The information presented is also unclear and often incorrect. In many places, the authors fail to distinguish between actual use and function of a plant and folk lore and mythology. The processing of plants to useful forms (poultices, tinctures etc) is misinterpreted by these authors, and the pictures associated with many of the plants are often useless unless one knows what the plant looks like in reality.

Over all, this books could be MUCH better than it in fact is.

This little book was a great find. It's a Dover reprint of a much earlier gem that might otherwise have been lost. It is pleasant to read and makes a great reference, as it is well researched and documented. Particularly useful if you are researching early plant uses, early gardening, and early folk medicine in the colonial U.S.

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This is a great little book with full descriptions, etc. of herbs. A nice read and handy to take along on RV trips to shop and identify herbs. Thank you. A great add to my herb book collection.

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This is a very good reference book on herbs grown in Colonial times. Carefully researched by the Colonial Dames of America, it gives you some very interesting facts and plant lore about the herbs grown in those times and how they used them. It also contains a sketch of each plant. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it does not give you planting instructions or zones where each herb can be safely planted. If you are an herb lover you will enjoy this book.

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This slim volume not only identifies herbs commonly found in colonial American gardens, it also tells why our ancestors grew them. Whether medical, mystical or culinary, everything in the garden had a purpose. I enjoyed that the authors provided historical lore for each plant as well as descriptions on how it was used or prepared. For instance, liquor distilled from lily of the valley "smeared on the forehead and back of the neck makes one to have good common sense."

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