Any woman over 40 will find much useful information in this book. Ms. Austin looks at how attention to exercise, nutrition, health, beauty, and attitude can make women feel and look better while actually being healthier and more energetic. Her writing style is positive and friendly, and she addresses many important issues about women's health that I have not seen as well addressed in other books. The exercises are well illustrated, and even I could use most of the recipes. The book has two weaknesses that you should watch out for. Some of the exercises (especially the yoga) could cause you to hurt your back. The proposed diet, while a healthy one, is not as well suited for all blood types as Live Right 4 Your Type would recommend. The diet here seems to be pretty close to the ideal one for those with Type B blood.
Unlike some authors who write about health and aging, Ms. Austin consulted experts to give you the latest information. She also adds her own experiences as a working mother of two. The practical advice for how to get more done in less time will be very welcome for busy women. By having a balance of exercise, a better diet, living a healthier lifestyle, using beauty restoratives, and maintaining a positive attitude, you should live longer, look better, and enjoy a healthier life. If you ignore the exercises that could strain your back and follow Live Right 4 Your Type for a diet that matches your blood type, this is clearly a five star book. If you have cardiovascular disease, your diet will have to go the low-fat route more than either book recommends (see Dean Ornish's Reversing Heart Disease).
Having seen how much more specific the book could be by focusing on women over 40, I came away impressed that more health books should take such a more segmented approach. In many cases, Ms. Austin is able to give you advice by decade of age to make her recommendations even more specific. For example, the book includes Kegel exercises to strengthen muscles in the pelvic area that can be weakened after childbirth or during menopause. The number and variety of exercises to tone specific sections of the body are truly amazing. No wonder Ms. Austin looks so much younger than her years! I admire her hard work very much now that I better understand what is required.
But the book also ties this information into helping you set goals and establish new habits. If you don't make changes, then all of this information does you no good. Obviously, no one will make all of these changes. Ms. Austin does a good job of helping you understand which changes will probably be the most helpful for you. She uses a combination of quizzes about your current life style and research on the benefits of changes to give you that perspective.
After you finish reading and learning from this book, you might also want to think about toning up your relationships with other people. As Dean Ornish points out in Love and Survival and Ms. Austin emphasizes here, having more and better human connection is great for health and longevity. You might find books like Life Strategies and Relationship Rescue to be helpful for that area, as well.
Imagine yourself more positively relating to others and to yourself. May you find all the love you would like to have in the process!
