[.ca] Escape Your Shape: How to Work Out Smarter, Not Harder (ISBN 0743211448)

You've Been Wasting Your Time!:
After several years of jumping from weights to running with no visible results except lower back pain (from the running) to beefed up thighs (from the squats), I thought I was doomed to a figure that did not reflect the inner me. Enter "Escape Your Shape" which should change its title to "Embrace Your Shape", since the premise of the book is to identify your body type and exercise according to its physiology. After two weeks of the hour glass work-out (3 times a week, it's the only time I have available with a 3-year old), I could not believe the results! I'm wearing jeans that have not fit for over 3 years. Edward knows his exercise! His work-outs are based on years of work with thousands of clients. It shows in his commitment. The one factor that sticks out for me is his ability to show his readers that exercise is not dependant on an aerobics studio, instructor or personal trainer. His work-out can truly be done anywhere. I recently went on a business trip and did the work-out with only a tread-mill and a weight-bar that I stole from a nautilus-type machine. I encourage others to read his book and change their philosophy about working out and finally see results. As an added bonus, my lower back-pain has disappeared and I actually look forward to my work-outs. When you see & feel your body changing after each work-out, it's all the motivation I need.

This book is kind of misleading:
He has a point, but after speaking with 2 different Doctor's & one Physical Fitness Certified Instructor - I felt scared to work out the way they told me to. I didn't want to bulk up or increase my already enlarged areas. I followed my Doctors' & Physical Fitness Instructor's advice & I am losing everywhere. Escape your Shape was not working for me, I was not losing like this book said I would. I see others are thrilled with this book, to me it scared me into believing something that wasn't true & it didn't work for me. I have been trying for years and years to lose this excess weight. I now pay my Doctors to help me & it is working without medication, walking for 30 mins 5 days a week & doing my weight bearing excersize on all parts of my body. I hope it works for you, but not for me.

It Really Works!:
I have tried many exercise programs but none have given the results this program does. The workouts are simple but effective with little equipment needed. The workouts are also fun and challenging, giving 3 levels for each workout. There are also other suggestions in case the workouts get too routine. In the first month I lost about 6.5 inches. The best thing about this program is that you can do it anywhere. I recently went on vacation and was able to complete the workouts while out of town. This is something I can do for the rest of my life.

If you think about it, it makes sense:
If people were exactly alike, then one type of exercise or workout would work for everyone, right? Well, we know that people are different, and so does Edward Jackowski. He classifies people into 4 different shapes: "hourglass" (gains evenly on top and bottom) "spoon" (those who are heavier on bottom than top) "cone" (top-heavy people, who are generally at higher risk for strokes and heart attacks) and "ruler" (pretty much the same measurements from chest to hips- like an hourglass but with a thicker waist). Each "shape" has exercises that are perfect for them, but there are also exercises that they should avoid. I.E. "Spoons" should never use stair climbers/steppers, walk outside or on a treadmill on an incline, do squats or lunges or rollerblade (think of those Olympic speed skaters legs!). These things will only add to the bulkiness of their bottom. Instead, they should focus on fast walking or slow jogging (without hills or incline), biking (stationery or outdoors)with light resistence only, and all variations of chin-ups, pull-ups, and push ups, just to name a few. It's amazing how easy this program is. The "work out smarter, not harder" concept proves true- you'll see results pretty quickly without having to kill yourself in the process. Buy this book and figure out what your shape is, and also learn why jumping rope is the best cardio exercise around...

A Great Workout!:
I started to get serious about exercising about 4 years ago. I began running on the treadmill and lifting weights a couple times a week. I became addicted to exercising after I lost 10 lbs in a month. I stuck with this workout for a few years and although I was down to my desired weight, the "problem areas" were still apparent. Frustrated, I slacked off around the holidays last year and gained 10 lbs. AHHHH! At the end of January (I'd had enough of trying to stuff my legs into my favorite jeans) 2002 I discovered Escape Your Shape. WOW! I absolutely love this book! I am an hourglass and I was doing squats and lunges as part of my routine...no wonder my legs never got any smaller. After 3 months of EYS workouts I lost 10 lbs and many inches...wearing a size 6 comfortably. I have never felt so good about myself. This is truly an amazing approach to the correct exercises for your body. I havent performed a squat in over a year! If you stick with this (its kind of tough at first) you WILL see results!