"Out With The Old"

Kevin Coolidge

X marks the spot, X=5, secret agent X. Face it. X has always been a little mysterious, a little sexy, a little crazy, an unknown factor, and being a member of generation X, I feel a little more comfortable with not really knowing what I want to be when I grow up. If the baby boomers can put off aging, well then I can put off a vocation.

One of the advantages of searching for your niche is that you get to do a lot of carving. I’ve been everything from a human forklift, courier, and bouncer, to a massage therapist and personal trainer, and there’s nothing like New Year resolutions to get people thinking about their health and fitness.

It can be tough to know where to start. There’s a lot of information out there-some good, some bad, and some that you just aren’t ready for. I’m going to give some suggestions depending on your experience and goals.

The Complete Guide to Walking by Mark Fenton: You have to walk before you can run, and most trainers will tell you that walking is a great exercise. You already know how to do it. It’s affordable and available, and no special equipment required. Mark is the editor of Walking Magazine. He presents a 52- week program that can help you go from couch potato to active, athletic individual.

Power to the People: Russian Strength Training Secrets for Every American by Pavel Tsatsouline: If I could recommend just one book on strength training, this would be it. Beautiful in its simplicity, this book gives the basics of strength from just getting stronger for carrying that bag of groceries, to becoming a burly, Russian Bear. For the experienced and hard-core gym rat, check the Russian Kettlebell Challenge, also by Pavel. Don’t know what a kettlebell is? Let me show you comrade, and for the ladies there is From Russia with Tough Love.

Of course, we all really know there is more to health than just exercising. We are what we eat, so step away from that jelly donut. I’ve never seen it put more elegantly or simply than Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet by Peter Gott. No crazy-sounding foods, no starving yourself, just good, solid, and sound nutritional advice and common sense approach to eating healthy.

The Warrior Diet by Ori Hoffmekler is one of my favorite choices. For the Greco-Roman soldier wannabe, this modified fasting program from a former member of the Israeli Special Forces is similar to the body builders' anabolic diet. Forget calorie counting. Instead, Hofmekler suggests that we return to our bodies' instinctive eating style, "under eating" during the day and "overeating" at night. A great book, but a little intense for most fitness folks. For the method of his madness, check out Maximum Muscle, Minimum Fat also by Ori.

You, On a Diet: The Owner’s Manual for Waist Management by Mehmet C. Oz, MD. Knowledge is power <> The best tool to weight loss is knowing and understanding your body, and this book will help with the biology and psychology of fat. Diet smart, not hard, or rather, don’t “diet” at all.

Well, I guess it is time for me slowly put down Grandma’s Christmas cookies, and take one more swallow of eggnog, and get on the road to wellness. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles, starts with tying your shoe laces…..