Shrink Your Female Fat Zones: Lose Pounds and Inches--Fast!--From Your Belly, Hips, Thighs, and More Paperback – August 2, 2003

NOTE: This review is for Denise Austin's DVD Shrink Your Female Fat Zones - a companion to the book.Denise Austin's "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones" is an effective tape that can be split into two 20 minute sessions or one 40 minute workout.Women are often told that to prevent bone loss, we should workout with weights, but many tapes on the market are overwhelming. They use very heavy weights, are very long, lack clear directions or are just plain boring.Denise's tape gives you a simple workout that you can do 3-4 times a week to build strength, preserve bone density and get toned.The first section is a simple 20 minute light weight routine. You will do a few pushups, lat rows, light ab work, bicep work etc. Very simple. No jumping around. Clear direction. The second session adds in the balance ball. The ball is not included in the tape but is sold by places like Wal-mart for under $20.00. With the ball you work your core, legs and more.Pick one or both workouts depending on your mood and needs.The setting is a studio with a calm background, one that will not date in the future. Denise leads the exercises with a small group of exercisers behind her, following her directions. It would have been nice if Denise had included some older exercisers, but she didnt. The music is relaxing. Though Denise is her usual chatty self she is not overbearing. Denise uses the same set of weights throughout the workout which could be a drawback for those who like to vary their weights as there is not a lot of time to change poundage.My goal is not to be a fitness buff, but to be healthy, strong and slender. I don't want to kill myself working out but recognize that in addition to aerobic activity (which this tape is not) I need weight bearing activity. This tape is just the perfect fit for my needs.

There are some really smart workouts to try in this book. I wish that people who made workout books would make corresponding wall charts, because it is hard to do some moves and refer to the book. I've done them enough that I have my favorite moves memorized. I confess I didn't read much of the front of the book on dieting. I did use some of the gorcery lists and some of the recipes included. I really like the Chicken, wild rice and pine nuts recipe.This book is a good edition to the bookshelves of people who like to live heathfully. There are a lot of exercises in this book that once remembered can be imporvised just about any where you go. The layout of the book is great, it's easy to follow, easy to understand. I only gave it four stars because not everything can be a five. (woh oh this book has a dvd to compliment it, I'm going to get it and check back with you)

Learn to understand the who what and whys and WHERE's to women's weight gain and how to target our own problem areas.I started doing a few of these exercises that i saw in a women's magazine and in 6 wks time i had dropped at least a dress size. Which in turn gave me the signal to order this book if just those few did so much.The result? I went from a 180 lbs to 135 lbs. I didn't BULK UP ... i toned up and learned how to exercise correctly. It has now been 7 yrs. I continue to recommend this book. I give this book to friends and family. Even my own daughters. Young AND Old as this is low impact. You'll be amazed at how far you can go, how much you can attain and the strength you will gain. I have also purchased now several of her DVD's but they are not necessary unless you enjoy having a program set to music and an instructor. If you like just doing/going on your own, then read this book and follow it's easy 6 wk plans.I will never have to look for some other method in keeping fit especially at my age (in my 50's).

I really thought the book is great. I have used other Denise Austin products, DVDs and etc. and I think she has a good approach to fitness for those of us who want to be fit and don't really count as fitness buffs or gym monkeys. Following her advice and plans will make you more fit. I have lost several pounds and several inches by following her plan. I never feel hungry and I don't have cravings like I used to have, maybe because of the encouragement she peppers through everything she does. Many of the recipes were well received by my family so I don't need to make special meals to stay on her plan. If you are not a real fitness buff but want to get fit to live longer, I suggest you give this book a serious fair try. I think you will be glad you did.

This book covers things to help you lose weight thru diet and exercise. I like it because it has pictures demonstrating the exercises to use for the different areas of your body and gives you a 6 wk program to follow. Great book to have if you are really serious about losing weight and toning up.

By simply following the exercises in this book I quickly and easily shed pounds. I didn't even get to the point of following the recipes and for the first couple of weeks I wasn't so good at following the walking and had to work up to the time recommended...and yet I was still losing weight.If you suspect you are even more out of shape than you'd like to admit and want something that will only take a few minutes a day and is DO-ABLE; This is it. Buy this book and a set or two of dumbells, exercise your 5 days a week and laugh at yourself when your pants won't stay up and that snug T shirt keeps falling off your shoulders and you can't wear either out in public anymore.

If you know ANYTHING about eating properly already, don't purchase this book. This book is meant for beginners only. Denise must have been paid by the companies that produce the foods she suggests, because if you don't have access to the specific foods and types she recommends, there are no alternatives. The workout is also completely basic and rudimentary and focussed towards those that have NEVER worked out before, or possibly the elderly. I had high hopes for this book but was completely let down and actually returned it.