Fit Quickies: Five-Minute, Targeted Body-Shaping Workouts

I have been into physical fitness all my life and even though I am in my senior years I am always looking for unique and interesting workout routines. I recently purchased a book (Fit Quickies: 5-minute targeted body-shaping workouts by Lani Muelrath) which focuses on doing short workouts to shape specific areas of your body.This 270 page soft cover book shows 14 areas of the body you can work on in a short period of training time. After an explanation of the “fit quickie” fundamentals the following material is covered: 7 seconds to a flat belly, inner thigh squeeze and tease, triceps triple play, gorgeous glutes and hamstrings, topless muffins, thigh warriors, kickstand core challenge, tush tighteners, higher assets, legs into play, upper-body SOS, super-shaper split squats, black beauty, and shoulder shapers. There is also a chapter on will power, crating fit quickie routines, nutrition principles and motivation and mind-set for success.Even though this book appears to be aimed at women, men may also want to try some of these fit quickies routines.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Seated/Chair Tai-Chi/Yoga, Qigong/stretching exercise program for seniors and the physically challenged: A quick course guide).

Lani has poured her heart and soul into the creation of a book that has the potential to change your life, if you just give it a chance. Seemingly an exercise primer at first glance, Fit Quickies is so much more than that: it's a whole philosophy of healthy, vibrant living distilled into a single source.Through years of trial-and-error self-exploration and knowledge-seeking, Lani has devised a proven, three-pronged approach that takes into account the fitness factor, the food factor, and the frame of mind factor, each of which is an indispensable element in the optimal health equation.In the initial chapters of the book, you'll find out about Lani's personal struggles with diet and exercise and how she overcame them to finally hit upon the formula that has worked for her, and can work for you, too! You'll also get a primer on exercise physiology, the benefits of exercise, and the nuts and bolts of how to get started, no matter where you are starting from. The information is presented in an easy-to-understand way and is backed by the latest scientific research. So not only does Lani really know her stuff, she is also right there with you as you embark on your journey, encouraging you and motivating you along the way.The book then moves on to the Fit Quickies themselves -- fourteen 5-minute exercises that were designed specifically to shape and tone those hard-to-reach, often-neglected areas of the body. Each Fit Quickie is presented in a logical format: information on the specific area of the body targeted and why it is problematic (the dreaded "belly pooch" for example :), followed by background physiology for a deeper understanding of what muscles the FQ addresses, and finally a step-by-step how-to, complete with pictures. It's like having your own personal trainer right there with you!The Fit Quickie presentation ends with a section on willpower -- after all, without willpower, or STAYpower, you could say, what good are the best of intentions?? Here, Lani reveals another huge benefit that comes with regular practice of the Fit Quickies -- and one that I have experienced first hand: Fit Quickies are not just about body-shaping, but are also a powerful tool for BRAIN shaping!! By just taking 5 minutes to squeeze in a FQ when you're feeling stressed or lacking in willpower, you can give yourself an instant MIND/MOOD MAKEOVER and get yourself right back on track. Who would've thought it? And of course it's no surprise that this little FQ perk is also supported by the latest research. This Fit Quickie section of the book is followed by handy section on putting it all together and creating routines you can do anytime, anywhere.Then it's on to nutrition, an irrefutable key to looking and feeling your best. Lani presents a whole-food, plant-based diet -- an eating style that is backed by overwhelming scientific evidence as THE way to achieve optimum health and weight. Once again, the reader is treated to Lani's insight, wit and humor as she recounts her own personal pitfalls and ultimate triumphs. She shares with us her secrets to success and walks us through a typical day, the plant-based way, again all backed by solid science. It's a no-gimmick, honest approach to nourishing our body the way it was designed to be nourished that goes hand-in-glove with the fitness piece.The final part of the book, and in many ways the pièce de résistance, is devoted to the frame of mind element, or mastery of mindset. After all, if you don't approach this endeavor with the right attitude, it's like paddling upstream on the Colorado River -- try as you might, you'll never get where you want to go!! Once again, Lani shares her insights with a warm and thoughtful approach and can-do attitude, followed by proven, nuts-and-bolts techniques so that you, too, can "change your mind, change your body, change your life," as she so adeptly states. She shows how to identify and overcome self-sabotaging thoughts, once and for all, to allow you to quiet your inner critic and finally get with the program -- for life!Hopefully my review has inspired you to acquire this little gem for your own library. If not, here's one more excellent reason: at the time I am writing this review, Lani is offering a free Plant-Based Blueprint to anyone who purchases the book. This is a detailed, beautifully written and illustrated glimpse into how Lani herself lives a whole-food, plant-based diet daily, complete with tips and recipes. Just go to Lani's website to get your copy.

I made a dramatic change to my diet when I adopted a Plant Based diet in July 2013. This change came solely from one viewing of the amazing  Forks Over Knives . As I spent much time reading and discovering how best to eat this way, I slowly came to be introduced to health professionals who advocate whole food, low fat, plant based diets. It was about 4 or 5 months into the new "diet" that I discovered Lani Muelrath and her uplifting website. Lani was instantly a favorite of mine, because of the enthusiastic and encouraging information and advice she offers so generously. She was a great help as I was refining what and how I would eat.Although I noted that Lani is a fitness professional, I wasn't really following her for fitness tips, because I didn't feel a need for help in that department. I work out every day, have a routine I like and that seemed to be working to keep me at a decent level of fitness, and I'm sure not obsessed with working out. But when I heard Lani was coming out with this book, I was very intrigued. 5 Minute anything in the way of exercise and I'm sort of interested. Also, Lani's own experience (and, let's face it, her own body) made a compelling case for the effectiveness of these exercises.These short and easy-to-do exercises are just what I was looking for to help shape and define my own muscles. Lani's Fit Quickies are explained in great detail (it will take you way longer to read how and why each particular exercise works than it will take to actually DO them). I liked that Lani took the time to actually show us (via diagrams and brief explanations) what muscles are going to be affected in each Fit Quickie. I liked that she backed up her advice with scientific research results (citations and all) and although I considered myself reasonably well versed in the latest fitness research and results, I still learned some things from this book.I haven't been doing these exercises long enough to give any opinion about how well they are going to work for long term results. In fact, I am still learning and trying all of them out. However, what I can say here is that the book is a great addition to anyone's health and fitness library, because it isn't all about the "exercises". There's a 3-pronged approach to wellness here (what Lani calls the Three Pillars) and each one is key. Finally, if you are still eating meat and dairy, the portion of the book discussing Nutrition Principles is worth the price of the book alone. Lani Muelrath is a very wise woman, and I thank her for this book.

The book has easy to follow suggestions on exercise, whole plant based eating and mental suggestions for success to health.

Ich habe Lani Muelrath über T-Tapp kennengelernt und hatte auch schon Online-Kurse zum Thema Fitness gebucht. Daher kannte ich auch schon einen Teil der Fit Quickies. Die kurzen, aber sehr effektiven Übungen sind gut und präzise erklärt, es macht Spaß, sie auszuüben. Ein wunderbares Buch, das ich in einem Rutsch durchgelesen habe - nun folgen die praktischen Übungen!