Fitness celebrity and former gymnast Denise Austin always took care of her body. "In my 20s, however, I was more concerned with looking good in a bikini," she admits. "These days I'm focused on feeling good and staying healthy--and if I can still get away with wearing a bikini, that's a bonus!" Writing at age 43, she reminds us that 40 certainly isn't the end of the road--in fact, we probably have another 40 years or more to look forward to.

In Fit and Fabulous After 40, Austin shows us how to "turn back the clock" with exercise (aerobic, stretching, balance, and strength training), diet, health, beauty, and a positive outlook. She challenges us to set a weekly goal in each area for four weeks and provides sample programs in all areas. Photographs illustrate a good selection of strength-training, yoga, and Pilates-inspired exercises, and she provides a workout log to keep you on track.

Her dietary suggestions emphasize a balance of 50 to 55 percent complex carbohydrates, 20 to 25 percent protein, and 25 percent fat, keeping portions moderate and including lots of fruits and vegetables. She describes 10 "nutritional powerhouses" that have been shown to have anti-aging benefits, such as soy, blueberries, oatmeal, and flaxseed, with tips for including more of these in your diet. She also describes 10 "age accelerators" that you'd be wise to avoid, such as breakfast "desserts," fatty meats, creamy salad dressings, and stick margarine. She includes dozens of helpful (and sometimes entertaining) tips, such as "Don't go [to a fast-food restaurant] when you're hungry--you'll order fries." A meal plan with sample recipes makes her suggestions easy to follow.

Her health tips include 6 "body-sense strategies," 10 "must-have medical tests," breathing exercises, and instructions for how to do Kegels (exercises for the pelvic-floor muscles that help prevent incontinence and improve sexual response). She also offers skin, hair, and nail tips. If you think of Denise Austin as just a perky exercise leader, you'll be thoroughly impressed by the amount of helpful, sensible information in Fit and Fabulous. --Joan Price


Book Description
America’s favorite fitness expert presents a breakthrough program to win the war against aging–a battle she has personally fought and won.

We all know that aging is inevitable–but how gracefully you age is up to you. Scientific research shows that we can turn back the clock through a targeted regimen of age-busting exercise and nutrition. Now, in Fit and Fabulous After 40, award-winning fitness expert Denise Austin presents her own revolutionary, sure-fire plan to help you stay healthy, strong, slim, and fabulous–no matter what your age! By exercising for just thirty minutes a day, using cutting-edge techniques such as yoga and Pilates-based exercises, and eating for maximum health and vitality, you can build strength, shed extra pounds, improve flexibility and balance, and look years younger. Fit and Fabulous After 40 includes:

Easy-to-follow workout plans for every day of the week
Fat-blasting, toning exercises to target specific areas of the body
Weekly nutrient-packed meal plans with delicious slimming recipes
Denise’s personal vitamin and supplement regimen
Invaluable advice on common health concerns for women, such as menopause, breast cancer, and heart disease
Special beauty tips–including anti-wrinkle exercises!

Designed to fit even the most hectic schedules, and easily tailored to individual health concerns, Fit and Fabulous After 40 offers a modern, realistic fountain of youth for every woman.


From the Inside Flap
America’s favorite fitness expert presents a breakthrough program to win the war against aging–a battle she has personally fought and won.

We all know that aging is inevitable–but how gracefully you age is up to you. Scientific research shows that we can turn back the clock through a targeted regimen of age-busting exercise and nutrition. Now, in Fit and Fabulous After 40, award-winning fitness expert Denise Austin presents her own revolutionary, sure-fire plan to help you stay healthy, strong, slim, and fabulous–no matter what your age! By exercising for just thirty minutes a day, using cutting-edge techniques such as yoga and Pilates-based exercises, and eating for maximum health and vitality, you can build strength, shed extra pounds, improve flexibility and balance, and look years younger. Fit and Fabulous After 40 includes:

Easy-to-follow workout plans for every day of the week
Fat-blasting, toning exercises to target specific areas of the body
Weekly nutrient-packed meal plans with delicious slimming recipes
Denise’s personal vitamin and supplement regimen
Invaluable advice on common health concerns for women, such as menopause, breast cancer, and heart disease
Special beauty tips–including anti-wrinkle exercises!

Designed to fit even the most hectic schedules, and easily tailored to individual health concerns, Fit and Fabulous After 40 offers a modern, realistic fountain of youth for every woman.


About the Author
DENISE AUSTIN is the host of Lifetime Television’s Denise Austin’s Fit and Lite and Denise Austin’s Daily Workout, the number-one daily fitness show in America. The creator of more than thirty bestselling exercise videos and the author of the national bestsellers Jumpstart, Hit the Spot!, and Lose Those Last 10 Pounds, she had written for the Washington Post and Healthy Living magazine. She has been twice appointed Chairman of the Virginia Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports and was awarded the title of Healthy American Fitness Leader by the President's Council on Fitness and Sports. She lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and two daughters.


Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1

The Pyramid Plan

Denise Austin's Anti-Aging Pyramid

Attitude

Beauty

Health

Nutrition

Exercise

Congratulations! Just by reading these words, you've already taken an important first step toward improving your life and your health: You've made the decision to do it. But now you're not sure what to do next. You know that you need to exercise more. You definitely want to lose those love handles. And you would love to diminish your wrinkles and get rid of those brown spots on your skin. So where do you go from here? And how can you create a program that can tackle all of these different issues?

Before we delve into the program itself, let's take a closer look at the aging process and some of the major changes that women face as they grow older.

In Your 40s

Maybe the kids are out of the house (at least in school during the day, like mine) and you've finally gotten a chance to sit, relax and catch up on the latest books. Or maybe you're focusing on your career and spending most of your time sitting behind a desk. Either way, you're probably not getting enough exercise.

Without regular exercise, muscles shrink at a rate of 1 to 2 percent per year. The more muscle you lose, the slower your metabolism gets and the fewer calories your body burns. If your eating habits don't change, your waistline starts to expand and your pants get tighter. You can expect to gain about 10 pounds between the ages of 40 and 50.

All that sitting around combined with a poor diet and perhaps cigarette smoking (please quit now) as well may also be causing your bones to get steadily weaker. Your muscles start to atrophy due to inactivity, and your joints (especially your knees and hips) are beginning to feel stiff and creaky.

If you haven't been taking proper care of your skin, sun damage might appear in the form of wrinkles around your eyes and on your forehead, especially now that the production of collagen--a protein found in skin tissue that gives it elasticity and firmness--has begun to slow down.

In Your 50s

The average woman experiences menopause at age 51, after which estrogen levels decrease by as much as 75 percent. A decline in estrogen causes cholesterol levels to rise and blood vessels to become less elastic, putting your heart at risk. As estrogen levels plummet, bone loss becomes more rapid, upping your risk of fractures. Fat--which had previously been stored in the hips and buttocks, primarily for breast-feeding--begins to collect more in your abdomen and you develop a "pot belly."

Your skin also becomes thinner, drier and less elastic due to this drop in estrogen as well as years of sun exposure and lack of proper nutrition. Wrinkles may begin to appear at the corners of your mouth and become more prominent on other parts of your face and body. Reduced circulation may cause your once-rosy cheeks to look pale and colorless.

In Your 60s

If you remain inactive, your muscles and ligaments keep getting weaker. Your joints get "rusty," and you lose your flexibility. Your weight distribution has also changed due to more fat around your middle. As a result, you lose your balance more easily.

As your muscles and bones continue to shrink, your posture may become slumped. With the exception of your pot belly, your body seems to be getting smaller. Next to you, your grown-up kids appear to be getting taller and taller.

Remember: If you don't use it, you'll lose it. If you rest, you rust.

If you've continued to neglect it, your skin becomes slacker and wrinkling increases. Skin pigmentation starts to clump in some places, causing brown spots. Due to a higher cell turnover, skin cells become irregularly shaped, and precancerous lesions are more likely.

Many of these changes result from the shifting in hormones that occurs as our bodies, no longer primed for childbearing, go through perimenopause (the months or years immediately before our periods stop) and menopause, when they actually do. While most of our mothers sat down with us and rather awkwardly and tenderly explained menstruation, all too often the subject of menopause is overlooked. Even our doctors may be slow to advise us of this natural biological transition. But if we're going to beat the aging process, it's important to understand exactly what's going on inside our bodies and how it can affect our health and appearance--if we don't take action, that is!

For most women, this change in hormones usually begins in their 40s as we begin to lose estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Many women barely notice the transition taking place; others experience headaches, depression and insomnia. One major side effect--and one of the first that many of us notice--is weight gain. But other studies have shown that menopause alone is rarely the culprit, and that calorie consumption and exercise habits are equally responsible for those added pounds. Experts say that after the age of 40, a woman's metabolism slows about 5 to 7 percent each decade. You may have consumed over 2,000 calories a day as a young woman, but after the age of 40 you should probably limit your caloric intake to approximately 1,700 if you want to avoid middle-age spread. This drop in metabolism is partly the result of a decrease in muscle mass--primarily due to a more sedentary lifestyle--that reduces our ability to burn calories.

My Anti-Aging Pyramid consists of five parts: exercise, nutrition, health, beauty and attitude. Each piece of the pyramid works in conjunction with the others to create an overall plan for reversing the aging process. Don't forget: Well-being is more than just exercise. It's more than just eating soy and broccoli. To be truly healthy and defy the aging process, you need balance in every aspect of your life, including your workouts, your diet, your job, your relationships and your outlook on life.

To better explain, I'll use one of my favorite analogies. Your body is like a sophisticated machine--think of it as a Mercedes. If the gas tank is empty, the brakes are shot or one tire is flat, that car is going to sit in the driveway, eventually getting old and rusty. In neglecting to tend to a single problem, you eventually lose the entire machine. Similarly, if you approach your day with negative thoughts, grumbling about your hectic schedule or the lousy weather, chances are you'll lack the incentive to eat well and hit the gym, which in turn can put you in an even worse mood and leave your stress levels soaring as you count up your calories at the end of the day and worry about fitting into that new dress you bought. It's all connected.

Throughout the book I'll talk about each section of the pyramid separately, starting at the bottom and working our way up. Since each building block is interconnected, you may notice some overlap. For instance, water is essential to keep you hydrated while working out, but it's also vital for beautiful skin and hair. So you'll find references to drinking water in both the exercise and beauty departments.

I've specifically placed exercise and diet at the base of my Anti-Aging Pyramid because I firmly believe that a healthy body and happy life start with a regular exercise plan and good eating habits. They are the two most critical parts of your battle against the aging process. Without them you won't have the strength and energy that you need to defend your body from disease and lead a full, productive life.

But don't underestimate the importance of the top of the pyramid, either. Good health and longevity are dependent on doing breast self-exams and getting mammograms, seeing a doctor regularly, and even flossing your teeth. And a positive attitude has been shown to boost your immune system and help stave off illnesses like heart disease and cancer--in my mind, it's one of the most underrated health and beauty tips around!

Just remember: Every little change, no matter how small it seems to you, is a plus. And it will serve as a foundation for the next change. Over time, as your new behaviors become habits, you'll be able to bring them all together easily and effortlessly.

The 28-Day Challenge

The goal of this book is to help you develop positive habits that will last a lifetime. Setting small, short-term goals like wearing sunscreen or eating more fruits and veggies is important because these serve as stepping stones to your ultimate, long-term goals--things like more energy, better health and a positive self-image. Your goals, both short- and long-term, are important signposts that will keep you motivated and moving forward.

The Gauge Your Age quiz on pages 14 to 23 will help you determine what these personal goals are going to be. Of course, it's possible that you already know what you want to achieve, whether it's losing five pounds, eating to fight disease or regaining the radiance of your 20s. Either way, be sure to put it all down on paper.

At the end of each section of this book you'll find a place to write down your specific goals for the next four weeks. Lists can help you determine your priorities and stay focused on your mission. You can post your lists around the house, in your car or in your office. Carry copies in your pocketbook. The more reminders, the better--and not because I think that you're going to have a menopausal memory lapse!

Instead of just focusing on exercise or healthy eating goals, you'll work on mastering one goal from each of the five sections (exercise, diet, health, beauty and attitude) each week. That's a total of five weekly goals. I've designed it this way so that you grow to understand the importance and interrelatedness of all five parts of my Anti-Aging Pyramid and begin cultivating a balanced approach to staying young.

Because exercise is fundamental and everyone needs it, I've listed your goals for you. This is the minimum that I want you to do for good health and to get started down the road to a more youthful appearance. If you want to do more, feel free to scribble in your revised agenda for the weeks ahead. Your goals in other areas are, of course, up to you.

I know that some of you will be in a rush to completely overhaul your life and see those amazing age-defying results. But trying to make too many changes all at once can backfire. Instead we'll be tackling five goals at a time--one from each section of the pyramid per week. At the end of four weeks you'll review your progress and count how many successful changes you were able to make. Were you able to stick with your exercise goals? Have you been taking precautions against skin cancer? Are your eating habits improving or have you reverted back to living on junk food? If you don't achieve all your goals, don't despair. I don't expect you to get it all right the first time. Depending on how you fare in the first four weeks, you can continue working toward the same goals or set new ones.

Can you do it? Absolutely--if you're smart and committed and take it one step at a time. That's your 28-day challenge! To help ensure your success over the next four weeks, follow these five great tips:

1. Plan ahead. Break your weekly goals down into daily tasks, then get a day planner and write it all down. Schedule time for workouts, grocery shopping, skin care and other important routines. Be as specific as possible. At the outset of the first week make a detailed shopping list of items that you'll need to start your program--for instance, new workout shoes, a set of dumbbells, water bottles, sunscreen and a supply of healthy food. It's important to start off on the right foot, and the time you put into organizing and planning will pay off later.

2. Prevent pitfalls. If you've been on a variety of different weight loss diets--all of which have failed--or have never been able to stick with an exercise program, stop and think about what went wrong. (Indeed, about 95 percent of all dieters regain lost weight within a few years.) What can you learn from those experiences and how can you keep them from happening again? Knowing your specific barriers to success can help you overcome them. For instance, if last-minute meetings have kept you from getting to the gym after work, you may need to start working out in the morning. Or if you can't seem to resist your husband's chocolate ice cream, why not buy a lower-calorie alternative like frozen yogurt or fat-free pops to store in your freezer? The best offense is always a good defense!

3. Don't get discouraged. What if you blow it by bingeing on greasy pizza or downing a sinful piece of Death by Chocolate? What if your kids are sick and you miss two, three, four days of exercise in a row? Get right back on that horse and whatever happens, don't call it quits! Remember, you're developing lifelong habits that will help you for years to come--and slowing down and reversing the aging process takes time. So a little slip here or there isn't going to topple your efforts if you resume your diet or exercise regimen the very next day. Furthermore, the ability to overcome adversity and bounce back is one of the greatest measures of success in life. So follow every little step back with a giant step forward.

4. Pat yourself on the back. Most of us spend way too much time being critical of ourselves: "I can't do this," "If only I was more of that." Instead of focusing on the negatives, why not accentuate the positives? You only lost three pounds? You also gained strength and muscle tone--and you're three pounds closer to your ultimate goal. To teach yourself to focus on the positives, give yourself a reward--a massage, a manicure, a shopping spree or a night out with friends--whenever you reach a goal. Or if you're on a budget, treat yourself to a bubble bath or an hour of reading magazines. Rewards will help keep you motivated to keep moving forward.

5. Update your goals. At the end of four weeks I want you to assess where you are and where you'd like to go next. Congratulate yourself for all the goals you were able to achieve. Renew your vows to master those you haven't. Think about what other improvements you'd like to make, set your goals and form a new plan for success.

Above all, be patient! You're creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself that will offer benefits both now and for the future. Change is good, but change takes time. If you find your enthusiasm waning, picture yourself slipping into those great jeans you had five years ago (a size smaller than the ones you're in now) or wearing a silky-smooth complexion. Stay committed and your efforts will pay off, I promise.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Exercise queen Denise Austin systematically removes every reason you think you have for not getting in shape with this motivating book. Targeting a more mature audience, the book sets reasonable goals and provides workout instructions that can be easily scheduled into a busy life. Equal attention is given to proper nutrition, health (the section called Ten Must-Have Medical Tests is invaluable), beauty, and cultivating a youthful attitude, making Fit and Fabulous a one-stop resource for looking and feeling great. The author's enthusiasm is evident on each page, as she offers down-to-earth advice that anyone can follow.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Denise Austin is renowned for her glowing charisma and seemingly endless supply of energy. But what most people don't know is that she's forty-three years old, and the mother of two. How does she manage to maintain the figure and stamina of a woman half her age? Fit and Fabulous After40 has all the answers, presenting Denise's surefire plan for staying healthy, strong, slim, and fabulous—no matter what your age.

Built around Austin's five-part pyramid plan of exercise, diet, health, beauty, and attitude, Fit and Fabulous After 40 features a fatblasting antiaging regimen that helps you literally defy gravity (no more sagging body parts) and sculpt every inch of yourself, from chin to kneecaps, with special "Stop-the-Clock" fitness routines. Austin then shows you how to eat for optimum health and vitality, with delicious slimming recipes that complement the vitamins and supplements she recommends. She also presents invaluable advice on common health concerns, such as menopause, breast cancer, and heart disease, along with suggestions for preventive measures, as well as special beauty tips—including antiwrinkle exercises. Each step of the program is easily tailored to suit individual health concerns or needs, and Austin's trademark enthusiasm and flare make her the ideal coach in the fight to age gracefully.

Designed to fit even the most hectic schedules, Fit and Fabulous After40 offers a modern, realistic fountain of youth for every woman who wants to recharge and restore her unlimited vitality.

About the Author:
Denise Austin produces America's number-one exercise videos and for fifteen years has hosted America's number-one daily fitness show, "Denise Austin's Daily Workout," on Lifetime TV. The bestselling author of four previous books, including Lose Those Last lo Pounds, she has also created her own leading brand of exercise equipment. She lives with her husband and two daughters outside Washington, D.C.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal