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THE FITNESS PROTOCOLS

Name: THE FITNESS PROTOCOLS
Author: Epi Torres
ISBN: 978-0615487168

LOOK BETTER, FEEL BETTER, AND LIVE A BETTER LIFE (VOL. 1)

by Epi Torres ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2011

Valuable, insightful information but may require too much forward planning.

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A comprehensive book that details and outlines how to achieve optimum fitness and improve one’s quality of life.

Torres is a convincing authority on exercise and diet—he reduced his waist size by 10 inches and has maintained a 70-pound weight loss for nearly 10 years. In an easy-to-read, conversational tone, the author provides a multitude of statistics and studies that support his approaches to weight loss and fitness. He gives some interesting insights into many of the factors that contribute to weight gain, including psychological, emotional and physiological components. Torres explains that humans’ ability to achieve long-term goals may be hindered by our basic instinct to survive, saying, “We are wired to pay most attention to what is happening now or in the near term.” The author also analyzes the various ways in which our moods affect our decisions and behavior. He explains the four main systems of the body, their function and how exercise enables these vital systems to operate at their optimum level. Torres emphasizes the power of positive imagery and visualization, even suggesting that the reader write an imaginary article about how achieving their fitness goals impacted their life. Though the author organizes the book by topics such as commitment, lifestyle management and techniques, there is a great deal of overlapping information—he recaps some concepts too often and repeats a few lists verbatim. In addition, although the tone of the book is positive and inspirational, the multitude of preliminary checklists, charts and self-assessments is daunting and may be off-putting to those anxious to venture into the unfamiliar territory of healthy living. Torres includes a body mass index table, a listing of caloric needs and an index showing calories burned per hour doing various activities. A helpful chart shows the length of time required for various weight-loss goals based on an average number of pounds lost per week.

Valuable, insightful information but may require too much forward planning.

Pub Date: July 5, 2011

ISBN: 978-0615487168

Page Count: 302

Publisher: Useful Tablet Apps

Review Posted Online: July 7, 2011

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996

ISBN: 0-15-100227-4

Page Count: 136

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.