Shelf Help

        Hot body: Hot Point Fitness: The Revolutionary New Program for Fast and Total Body Transformation (Perseus Publishing; $26) by superstar trainer Steve Zim and Mark Laska promises tips and techniques to help wannabe fitness buffs use their muscles more efficiently during workouts. The book includes nutrition advice and tips on how to manipulate your metabolism to burn calories faster.

Tips

        Mythology: The Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource March issue says there's more fiction than fact in fitness. Here's the truth:

        • Abdominal crunches won't flatten your stomach, but they will improve posture and strengthen muscles. To get rid of the fat covering the muscles, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn.

        • Aerobic exercise won't permanently increase your metabolism, but it will help you burn calories faster while you're exercising and for a little while afterward. To really rev up your metabolism, add strength training to your routine; building muscle increases the number of calories you burn just standing there.

        • Exercise does not make you hungrier; in fact, intense exercise can — temporarily, at least — suppress hunger pangs.

        • Exercise should not hurt. A little muscle soreness isn't a problem, but you don't need to “feel the burn” to know your routine is working.

        • More aerobic exercise doesn't always mean a better workout. A good program should include stretching and strength training along with a cardio workout, and hard workouts should be alternated with lighter ones.

        • Exercise doesn't have to be strenuous. Any movement is good for you: dancing, gardening and nature walks all help you work up a sweat.

        For more health and fitness information, check out the Mayo Clinic's Web site, www.mayo.edu.

Sitings

        Sprint: How do you pick the best running shoe? How do you train for a marathon? What's the best remedy for shin splints?

        For answers to these and other running-related questions, not to mention all kinds of news about running and runners, check out www.runnersworld.com.
       

Resource

        Pick one: The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Consumer Information Center are teaming to offer “Finding a Weight Loss Program that Works for You.'' Fill in the personal health profile, follow the checklist to compare different weight loss programs, and use the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator to determine your BMI and set your weight goal. Cost is 50 cents to order by phone, (888) 878-3256, or you can download it free from the FCIC's Web site, www.pueblo.gsa.gov/health.htm.

        — Peggy O'Farrell

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