Get Your Act Together, Think Healthy, Be Healthy by Frank G. Addleman. Bloomington, IN: 1st Books Library; 2004. 234 pages, paperback, $14.50.

In a society burdened with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, Frank Addleman reveals the power of proper nutrition and exercise for the prevention of such illnesses. Taking his audience on a motivational journey, Addleman promotes increased knowledge, confidence, and inspiration toward achieving health and fitness. The author shatters myths and misconceptions that people have about the power they have to control the future of their health. Responsibility lies within the individual. Addleman claims, "Take responsibility for your health, take charge of your health, and push mortality to the end."

This book is organized into 75 short chapters that provide simple discussions, most often in lay terms, about nutrition and exercise basics. Included are not only chapters filled with facts and statistics related to nutrition, exercise, health, and disease, but several chapters include stories intended to motivate the reader to make appropriate lifestyle changes conducive to better health. Addleman outlines 14 recommendations specific to dietary intake (listed as chapter titles): "Eat a Plant-Based Diet," "Take Nature's Medicine" (fruits and vegetables), "Ten Plant Foods to Consider," "Include Whole Grains," "Include More Legumes," "Add Fish to Your Diet," "Add Soy to Your Diet," "Add Flaxseed to Your Diet," "Balance the Fats in Your Diet," "The Essential Fats," "Supportive Supplements," "Oxygenate Your Body," "Consume Less Red Meat," "Move Away from Whole-Milk Dairy Products," "Eat Fewer Salty Foods," and "Avoid Highly Sweetened Processed Foods." In addition, explanations of simple concepts of exercise are given such as the benefits of strength training, interval training, the relationship between muscle loss and decreased metabolism, oxygen consumption/efficiency and clues on how to determine one's appropriate exercise intensity.

This book uses an informal approach and resembles a self-help manual. It offers accurate, up-to-date information about the benefits of healthier eating habits and exercise. Addleman provides concise information on which foods to incorporate and eliminate from one's diet. Final chapters summarize the information, presenting it as an illustration about which dietary behaviors to adopt and suggestions on how to make those changes possible. Addleman concludes his work with several suggested readings on nutrition and exercise.

For anyone interested in traveling a path toward health and wellness, this book is an accurate and appropriate reference in that it offers simple recommendations for how to change lifestyle and dietary behaviors. Addleman emphasizes that people have the power to determine the destiny of their health, when diet and exercise are the determining factors. This well-developed book, containing pertinent information, is a valuable resource for the novice interested in preventive health maintenance and improvement. Readers will find this book empowering, motivating, and offering no hypes or fad solutions, just the facts.

Marcy L. Dossenback, BSN, RN

Registered Nurse, Graduate Student, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Cynthia M. Goody, PhD, RD, LD

Assistant Professor Department of Nutritional Sciences University of Cincinnati Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio