Sustainable Fitness

A health and fitness guide that goes far beyond basic mantras to deliver a complete method for improvement in even the smallest aspects of daily life.

Physical therapist Altug aptly calls his book a “Practical Guide.” Unlike many other books in the genre, this one wastes no time in asserting that a healthy balance in life will ensure success. It dives right into habit-forming strategies that will help average people who are mired in work stress, time constraints, and years of unhealthy habits. Many wellness books mention the importance of sleep, but Altug offers an entire section on strategies to increase the quality and quantity of slumber, such as turning the alarm clock away from the bed to avoid placing “time constraints” on sleep and engaging in relaxing activities during the half-hour before bedtime. The author’s decadeslong history of physical-therapy practice likely influences the highly practical nature of sections such as “How to Prevent Falls” and “How to Take Care of Your Joints and Soft Tissues.” Altug explains that falls and common daily injuries to joints and tissue, without proper attention, can lead to major setbacks in personal health and fitness, so he offers lists of uncommon but practical tips, such as taking breaks every 20 minutes during periods of prolonged sitting and avoiding jaw-clenching. He organizes his book into short, condensed sections that include citations for further reading and covers a wide breadth of issues that affect many age groups, such as exercising with osteoporosis and gradually losing weight. The conclusion shows proper techniques for a range of exercises with and without weights, along with black-and-white photos that demonstrate correct form.

A thorough, well-researched, and practical fitness book.