Power of 10: The Once-A-Week Slow Motion Fitness Revolution (Harperresource Book)

If you're interested in the idea of lifting weight slowly, there are 3 books, that I am aware of, to consider:

1) Super Slow: The Ultimate Exercise Protocol, by Hutchins

2) The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution, by Hahn

3) Power of 10, by Zickerman

To sum up 1-3: lift weights slowly to help lessen momentum so you are lifting the weight using as much muscle as possible, which will lead to muscle failure, and can help reduce the possibility of injury. Also be wary of the stress caused by aerobics. Work out less per week so you have time for a real life, and follow a sensible diet.

Note that 1-3 all are preachy about weights being superior to health over aerobic exercise, although 3) is much less so. Also note that they don't seem to say 'get rid of' cardio, but that weightlifting provides some cardiovascular benefits itself, and to do aerobics as a supplement never as a substitute.

Some miscellaneous comments:

1) reads like a dissertation or a scientific manual, while 2) and 3) are popular reading, 3) moreso.

I like the comparison to taijiquan (t'ai chi ch'uan) that 1) makes.

Dislike the endless "this worked for me!" anecdotes in 1-3.

3) seems to have zero references.

2) and 3) take a lot of material from 1).

3) doesn't seem to be against stretching, but rather says stretching is built into the slow moving full range of motion system.

Final verdict? Get 3) because it is less preachy, costs less, and presents the main ideas from 1) in a more accessible form.

My wife and I started doing this workout at the end of January. I was 5'10" and weighed 170lbs my all-time high. Within 6 weeks I had lost 10lbs. At this point we started adhering to the diet part also, and I lost another 15 lbs. I'm down to 145 practically my college exit weight 20 years ago. I am stronger than I have ever been before (and I worked out 3 times a week since college) and feel better than I ever did before. For example, my stomach is more defined than ever now that I do 15-20 slow situps compared to my previous method of 300/week. My wife has seen similar results. We both look fantastic and can't wait to do our workouts. They are tough workouts, but it really does work. Planning your food in advance is a must to stay on the diet.

Buy Power of 10: The Once-A-Week Slow Motion Fitness Revolution (Harperresource Book) Now

Like most people I was a little skeptical about any program that promised results in only one workout a week. I had been lifting weights (along with cardio) 3-4 times a week, and although I was in decent shape I felt like the results weren't matching my effort. I've always been a thin guy with a thin frame, and so I wasn't trying to look like a bodybuilder or NFL linebacker. I just wanted to stay in shape, and I felt like my workouts weren't as efficient as they could be.

This very readable book outlines a sane program for busy people. And, more important than the time savings the results are amazing. By giving my body time to rest and recouperate, and by following the author's very reasonable nutrition advice, my results in 2 months have been better than the last 2 years of traditional exercise. Trust me, it works.

A couple of caveats however: while this program is only once a week, that doesn't mean its a peice of cake. It's hard. Most people really have no idea what it feels like to push their muscles to true exhaustion, with no momentum to help lift the weight. I know I didn't! After one 30-minute workout, you'll be spent. You'll be more tired than after an hour of your old weightlifting. But the way I see it, that just means that my old way of working out wasn't as eficient as Power of 10.

Also, I'm not sure I agree with the author's total disdain for cardio. I still do a little running or biking a couple of times a week, to supplement the weight lifting. I feel that the stress relief and heart/lung exercise that comes with cardio can't be matched by weight lifting alone.

This book is well written, nicely illustrated, and has sane advice that most normal people can follow. Give it a try for a few months and you'll be a convert!

Read Best Reviews of Power of 10: The Once-A-Week Slow Motion Fitness Revolution (Harperresource Book) Here

A year ago, I happen to catch a segment of 48 Hours News Show on CBS, where they had a test of two identical twins oversize female models. One was to do the Power of 10 and the other the areobics workout in a gym.

In addition to this, it show two famous TV news reporter/host doing the Power Of 10 Barbara Walters and Lesley Stahl. I known watching them workout that this was for real!

I been doing the Power Of 10 for the past 8 months and it is as advertised. You will gain muscle mass and be toned. You do it only once a week for 20-30 minutes. That all! Nothing else is needed. I look forward to doing the Power Of 10 now and it is a very uplifting experience!

It is a painful and exhausting workout but it only last for 30 minutes or less. Alot of people who have not workout hard before; may not like it and quit. But if you were an athlete in school and did weight training for football or wrestling or similar training routine; it will be easy for you to get with the mind set of the burn and experience the pain all over again! After all; if Barbara Walter and Lesley Stahl can take it; you must be quite a "sissy" to not be able to stand it!

The nutrition section of the book tells you what to eat for healthy eating and weight loss. It is roughly 1/3 of the book! You must follow this step fairly closely to go along with the workout if you wish to loose weight. After all; if you eat alot of sugar in your diet; you have to change your habit! The book explains this in detail.

So if you would like to start eating right, getting stronger and loose the weight, and workout only 20-30 minutes a week; get the Power Of 10! It fast and you will love it because it will make you happy!

Want Power of 10: The Once-A-Week Slow Motion Fitness Revolution (Harperresource Book) Discount?

I found out about The Power of 10 from an article in GQ Magazine. I work 60-80 hours per week so I don't have a lot of time to exercise. I was over weight and out of shape. I just finished my eightth week on the program. I've lost 25 pounds of fat and have put on 4 pounds of lean, hard muscle. My cholesterol, blood sugar and triglyceride levels have all been dramatically reduced. I'm seeing a lot of muscle definiton and have a lot more energy.

The workout itself is better than the Slow Burn method. The reason is this workout stresses the negative resistance (bringing the weight back to you) as much as the positive (pushing the weight away). You gain more muscle and strength buy doing the negatives. (That's what I learned in a weight lifting class in college).

The food plan isn't difficult to follow if you do a little planning and preparation the day before (I make my meals for the next day before I go to bed).

I have found that cardio helps the weight come off quicker. I hit a plateau at 20 pounds. So I started working with a boxing heavy bag in the mornings. The weight began to drop again.

As with everything, you have to want to lose weight for this to work. You do have to get in the gym and you do have to watch what you eat. With this plan you don't go hungry. So, If you want a stronger body and you don't want to be a "gym rat" then this is the plan for you.

Save 20% Off

Read More >>

From the Inside: A Look at Nursing Homes and Their Patients in Todays Elder Care System.

Because I know I have a good chance of ending up in such a place within ten years I bought this book thru Amazon.com and read From the Inside with great interest.

I liked the humor such as on page 59 "Charts were on bathroom doors for Aides to record uninary output. Mary and I wondered if ther was a winner of the most output in all of USA." This sort of humor appeared often.

I am going to carefully reread this book as a preview of my Inside day and regard the Patients' Rights section of use to in the future.

The humor in this book is wonderful. As you read you fall in love with these people. We must remember just because someone can't hear or talk, does not mean they are unaware what is going on around them. Believe me "they are in there."

Buy From the Inside: A Look at Nursing Homes and Their Patients in Todays Elder Care System. Now

This is an easy read, well written and such great information that can give anyone an understanding of assited living-living. Thank you. I have already shared this information with several friends.

Read Best Reviews of From the Inside: A Look at Nursing Homes and Their Patients in Todays Elder Care System. Here

Read More >>

The First Year of Marriage: What to Expect, What to Accept, and What You Can Change

This is a great guide for alerting those about to take the leap to the pitfalls to be confronted during the initial year of marriage. Even those who have been previously living together may be surprised at the substantial psychological changes that legalization of the relationship brings about. Forewarned is forearmed!

As a clergyman, the title of this book caught my eye. I am constantly looking for materials to give to engaged couples and/or newlyweds. The First Year of Marriage certainly fits the bill.

However, as I was reading this I realized that most of the principles discussed in the book regarding relationships could be applied to any couple. My marriage is going on 30 years, yet I still experienced several "Aha" moments.

Ms. Arond and Dr. Pauker exhibit tremendous insight, both through their research as well as, I imagine, a result of their own marriage. They employ sound statistical methods, but even more importantly for the reader, the examples that they use help the average reader identify with the subjects and identify their own potential strengths and weaknesses. Quite often we can see in others what we don't wish to look at in ourselves or in our own behavior. This volume helps us identify personally with these couples and to recognize that there is a little bit of each of these couples in each of us.

I highly recommend this volume to anyone who wishes to learn more about the dynamics of marriage. The authors successfully identify some of the common pitfalls as well as some very thoughtful solutions to marital problems. They touch on issues of economics, independence vs. interdependence, sex, intimacy, family and friends (among other things). The target audience is the newlywed couple, but the potential audience is far broader.

Buy The First Year of Marriage: What to Expect, What to Accept, and What You Can Change Now

Read More >>

YOU: Being Beautiful: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty

Real information presented in an understandable format and not too technical terms. It made me realize I had to take the time to take care of myself and enjoy my good health now.

Save 32% Off

Read More >>

Confessions of a Caregiver: When Alzheimer's Comes to Your Home

I am the primary care giver for my mother-in-law who lives in our home. I downloaded this book to my Kindle because thinking I would could get encouragement from someone who has walked in my shoes. The author writes about his feelings and resentments and ways that he is dealing with his wife caring for her mother. While I don't doubt his honesty and that he writes from his heart, I don't consider him a caregiver. I think this book is better suited for the spouse of a primary caregiver, not for the actual care giver.

There are many aspecs of caring for someone with Alzheimers that you can't imagine unless you are in that person's shoes. It is a very lonely situation for the actual caregiver.

I could not finish this book because I would get so angry that he was complaining about things that his wife was dealing with and how they affected him. It just seemed to me that this book is a "Woe is Me" kind of book.

I do recommend it for anyone who is related to a caregiver...I am sure my husband can identify with this author, but I can't.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is caring for a elderly person at home or has the responsibility for someone in an assisted living facility. You will smile, you may cry, and you will be astonished that others are sharing your same emotions. Mr. Skillin has truly given a gift to caregivers.

Buy Confessions of a Caregiver: When Alzheimer's Comes to Your Home Now

After Alzheimer's struck his mother, sister, and mother-in-law, author and caregiver, Joseph Skillin writes in Confessions of a Caregiver, that he struggles with the "daily-ness" of the presence of Alzheimer's in his home.

He writes, "Anyone can rise to the need of taking care of a sick parent. But it takes courage, endurance, constancy, perseverance, and heroism to commit to daily care without any end in sight."

While he admires his wife's loving care for her mom in their home, he confesses his feelings of unease with the burden on his family.

IRRITATED BY THE LITTLE THINGS

Skillin finds he can't stop focusing on "the little things" that irritate him day after day. He admits it doesn't make sense to let these things bother him, but they do-such as when his mother-in-law turns up the volume on the television, doesn't push in her chair when leaving the table, or never shows appreciation with a "Thank you."

Yet, while his wife, Penny, serves as the primary caregiver for her mom, Skillin finds ways to help and ease Penny's burden by taking on a greater share of the household chores.

PRAYING

One of two unique qualities of Confessions is a prayer at the end of each chapter. These give us a deeper look into what matters to Skillin during his caregiving journey. At the end of the "How I Cope" chapter, Skillin begs God: Do not test my endurance. Give me a break.

GETTING AWAY FROM HOME

Skillin, who works outside the home as a marketing consultant, is thankful Penny allows him time away from home to cope with the burden. He advises caregivers to do the same in order to "reset your perspectives, rekindle your appreciations, and recharge your soul." He adds, "Step out of the house so you can step back in and step up to the challenges." This is great advice for all caregivers if even for five minutes.

WHAT I FEAR

The second unique quality of Confessions, among caregiving books, includes a chapter on "What I Fear." After seeing his mother, sister, and now mother-in-law live with Alzheimer's, he knowingly fears of being robbed of his being, of his "eventual lack of control," and of being "stuck in bed until someone comes and dresses" him. At the same time, he doesn't want to be a burden to his children who he believes have to live their own lives. He even outlines eight tips for them.

FINDING THE JOY

Despite the burdens of caregiving, Skillin does take time to find the joy with his mother-in-law. Whether it is laughing at the thought of a ninety-four year old woman walking down the street with an empty suitcase at three in the morning (she wanted to go home) or smiling at the thought of his mother-in-law sipping out of the empty envelop she insisted was her coffee cup.

WHAT MATTERS MORE

Skillin comes to the realization while witnessing one's dying that what matters less is success and competence and what matters more is significance and character.

He learns from his wife, Penny of the gifts of caregiving and why she sacrifices so much to lovingly tend to her mother. Among the reasons she gives is one that is important for all caregivers: To do the best we can so that after our loved ones are gone we have no regrets.

He wrote this book to help other caregivers and spouses of caregivers deal with the "emotional rollercoaster" of caregiving.

What Skillin accomplishes with Confessions of a Caregiver is a catharsis of sorts that gives caregivers the permission to feel negative feelings that come with the heroic burden of caregiving while stepping up to the caregiving role.

Reviewed by Brenda Avadian, MA on February 13, 2010 at .

Read Best Reviews of Confessions of a Caregiver: When Alzheimer's Comes to Your Home Here

Highly recommend this book for all caregivers (not just those dealing with Alzheimer's), past, present and future. The emotions are not sugar coated, but real and honest. The prayers are a true blessing. A quick read, you'll want to keep it close when the cares of being a caregiver are overwhelming.

It's been five years since I helped with the care of my mother. The insight, honesty and compassion with which Mr. Skillen writes, allowed me to revisit the feelings I dealt with and put them in perspective.

Want Confessions of a Caregiver: When Alzheimer's Comes to Your Home Discount?

Joe Skillin's "Confessions of a Caregiver" is a blessing to me. It comes at a difficult time, as my wife and I are faced with the caring for her sister, a 68 year-old retired school teacher, experiencing the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Living alone, her care has fallen to us and becomes more difficult with each day. Skillin's message, as he relates his experience with his mother-in-law and other family members, skillfully hits the mark on many levels and provides comfort in its sincerity.

One never knows or can plan for the overwhelming list of responsibilities, legal issues, stress and fatigue that accompany this degenerative disease as you watch a loved one move further away yet, paradoxically, need you more than ever. I highly recommend "Confessions of a Caregiver", as the author astutely describes the process and needs of the ill while drawing from his empathy for the caregiver as the burden spreads from the patient to those around them. This is a must read for all that need to understand how invasive Alzheimer's can be.

Read More >>