The Canyon Ranch Health and Fitness Program

The staff of the Arizona-based Canyon Ranch Spa reveals its secrets for successful weight loss and exercise programs--programs based on helping individuals take responsibility for their continuing success

In his introduction to this concise fitness guide, Canyon Ranch spa founder Mel Zuckerman writes, "There are no bad spas; there are only bad matches. If you get what you need from your spa experience, it's the right one for you." This book similarly requires the right "match"--namely, readers who are approaching, at or beyond middle age, are financially successful and newly interested in fitness. Science writer Moloney's lucid, often amusing style makes many of the Ranch's programs accessible to readers who may never visit the Arizona facility. The requisite chapters on health assessment, exercise, nutrition and stress management argue benefits and clarify medical and fitness terminology for the uninitiated. The guide to food labeling is particularly useful, and a chapter on "fitness on the road" offers many tips for healthful traveling, particularly business trips. Also included are overviews of the Ranch's skin care, anti-smoking, and herbal and massage therapy programs, although these are less easily implemented. The Ranch's approach is forceful but not rigid; moderate improvement, even with some backsliding, is valued over reformation. First serial to Family Circle.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

You'd have to be living in a cave somewhere to not have noticed that spas are big news in the health field. Here's a new guide from a well-known spa that leads the reader through what it takes to establish and maintain control over his or her wellness, as well as offering a diet plan and recipes. Nutrition, exercise, stress control, posture, bad habits, massage, skin care, and more are covered. The advice is sound and all in the mainstream of medical opinion, except for the parts dealing with "natural" therapies like herbal therapy and aromatherapy. Written in a lively, anecdotal style, this would be a good selection for public libraries planning on adding only a limited number of spa health books to their collection.
- Carol Spielman Lezak, General Learning Corp., Northbrook, Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.