by Jorge Cruise
2004

For someone who has had little exposure to regular exercise, the idea of starting a workout program can be daunting. Scheduling an hour, or even half an hour for exercise seems difficult enough (let's not even mention actually doing that 30 or 60 minutes' worth of exercise), but you're also generally instructed to adopt a diet program that's complicated and impossible to stick with. It just seems like too much to think about. Why can't losing weight and toning up be a simple process? The truth is it can be, and Jorge Cruise has happened on a method to get people moving, and to get them to eat healthier at the same time. Cruise's "8 Minutes in the Morning" book series breaks a healthier lifestyle into components that even the most out-of-shape couch potato can accomplish. This entry in the series focuses on toning the hips and thighs.

In plain, simple-to-understand language, Cruise explains why building muscle is an invaluable tool to increasing metabolism, and why dieting to lose weight is ineffective. The 8 minutes' worth of moves actually work the whole body (which Cruise points out is necessary for overall health and fitness), but focus on the hips ad thighs three days out of five. The exercises are all simple to do, and require little equipment - just a chair, a mat and, in the more advanced versions, some ankle weights. There are three levels of progression. As for the eating system, it's even easier. Cruise's recommendations involve sensible portions, a balance of vegetables, protein and carbs, a touch of fat and no calorie counting. In addition to the exercises and eating system, Cruise also offers "power thoughts" and visualizations.

For beginning exercisers who want to target their hips and thighs, Cruise's book is one of the easiest to follow. The exercises are non-intimidating and anyone can find the 8 minutes in which to do them. The food recommendations make sensible eating attainable. Those who are already fit and have been exercising for a while will probably find Cruise's system a bit too easy for them. But those who only wish they were fit will find that Cruise offers an excellent way to start on the road to accomplishing their goals.

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