As a companion to USA Weekend's July 14-16 cover story "Cheat and Run," we asked eight noted doctors, nutritionists and fitness experts to tell us which books they recommend to patients and clients. If you would like to purchase any of the following, simply click on the title and it will take you to its corresponding page on Amazon. com, where you can follow the instructions for ordering.

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with Mike Piazza and The Rock

Personal trainer and exercise physiologist Bob Greene

Billy Blanks, developer of Tae-bo

Billy Blanks finds these selections valuable and insightful to his fitness and spirituality. Each of these has been meaningful to the development of Tae-Bo's unique "from the inside out" workout. Regardless of what form of exercise you choose, it's important to remember that in order to change your body, you must also work to strengthen your inner spirit.

"The Bible"
In Pursuit of Purpose by Myles Munroe

How to Obtain Strong Faith: Six Principals by Frederick K. C. Price

Enter the Dragon by Bruce Lee (video)

Forever Young by Jack LaLanne (video)

Tedd Mitchell, M.D.,Health Smart columnist for USA WEEKEND magazine, medical director of the Wellness Program at the Cooper Aerobics Clinic in Dallas

Balancing Act Nutrition & Weight Guide by Georgia Kostas. This is a book on dietary discretion and the need to combine diet with exercise in order to achieve long-term success. It's easy to read, and very common sense. It follows a low-fat, higher carbohydrate approach, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs.

The Aerobics Program for Total Well-Being: Exercise, Diet by Kenneth Cooper, M.D., M.P.H.
This is THE classic treatise on the importance of exercise in one's daily routine. Although the information has been updated numerous times, in 1968 this is the book that got the whole aerobics movement started. It's a must for anyone interested in beginning a program.

Advanced Nutritional Therapies by Kenneth Cooper, M.D., M.P.H.
This book, which I helped Dr. Cooper edit, explaining in layman's terms the dos and don'ts of nutritional supplements.

Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals by Varro Tyler, Ph.D.
Although this is not a "diet book," this is one of the most balanced books available on herbal supplements that people use regularly.

Some of the most frequently discussed books on "Ask Dr. Weil" at askdrweil.com

It's Not About the Bike, My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong, Sally Jenkins (Contributor)

8 Weeks to Optimum Health, A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Spontaneous Healing, How to Discover and Enhance Your Bodies Natural Ability to Maintain and Heal Itself by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Sound Body, Sound Mind: Music for Healing by Andrew Weil, M.D. (audio cassette)

Natural Health, Natural Medicine, A Comprehensive Manual for Wellness and Self-Care by Andrew Weil, M.D.

The Natural Mind, An Investigation of Drugs and Higher Consciousness by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Enter the Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently, Reset Your Genetic Code, Prevent Disease, Achieve Maximum Physical Performance and Enhance Mental Productivity by Barry Sears, Ph.D, with Bill Lawren

A Spoonful of Ginger: Irresistible Health-Giving Recipes from Asian Kitchens ", by Nina Simonds

The Book of Green Tea by Diana Rosen

Gardener's Fitness: Weeding Out the Aches and Pains by Barbara Pearlman

The Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not? by Kenneth R. Pelletier, M.D.

Eating Well For Optimum Health, The Essential Guide to Food, Diet, and Nutrition by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Dr. Judith Orloff's Guide to Intuitive Healing, Five Steps to Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Wellness by Judith Orloff, M.D.

The Art of Happiness, A Handbook for Living by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D .

Jean Carper, Eat Smart columnist for USA WEEKEND magazine, noted nutrition journalist

Volumetrics: Feel Full on Fewer Calories by Barbara Rolls, Ph.D. and Robert A. Barnett A truly innovative method of controlling weight by eating foods high in water-volume and low in calories, successfully tested at Pennsylvania State University.

The Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index by Jennie Brand-Miller, Ph.D. and Thomas M.S.Wolever, M.D.
The only authorative guide to using the "glycemic index" of foods to control blood sugar, reduce hunger and weight, as well as the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

The Solution: 6 Winning Ways to Permanent Weight Loss previously published as the "Diet-Free Solution" by Laurel Mellin, M.A., R.D.
A plan that includes advice for overcoming psychological barriers to permanent weight loss, found successful in a two-year research project at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

Cooking Light Cookbooks
Collections of generally low-fat, low- calorie, first-class recipes, issued every year by Cooking Light magazine. Cooking Light Five Star Recipes: The Best of 10 Years
Cooking Light 2000: Annual Recipes
Cooking Light Light and Easy Cookbook
Cooking Light Low-Fat Low-Calorie Quick and Easy Cookbook
Cooking Light Annual Recipes 1999
The Joy of Healthy Grilling: Keeping the Fat Low and the Flavor High by Joe Famularo
Imaginative, healthy low-fat and generally easy-to-make recipes for indoor and outdoor grilling of vegetables, seafood, poultry, meat and fruit by a James Beard award-winning cookbook author.

Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, president, American Heart Association

Living Well, Staying Well: Big Health Rewards from Small Lifestyle Changes American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. If you follow this book's instructions, you'll feel better, enjoy life more, and reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer at the same time.

Meals in Minutes: Over 200 All-New Quick and Easy Low-Fat Recipes " , American Heart Association.
With this cookbook you can feel good about what you feed yourself, your family and your friends, even when you have no time to spare, a problem for most of us these days. The recipes take only 15-20 minutes to prepare, and I predict that many of them will become family favorites.

Fitting in Fitness: Hundreds of Simple Ways to Put More Physical Activity into Your Life , American Heart Association.
Life is hectic for most of us, and many people say "I just don't have time to exercise." This convenient little guide shows you easy ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily schedule. It helps you become a fit and healthy person by showing you how to act like one, even when you feel like you can't squeeze another activity into your day.

The New Moosewood Cookbook by Molly Katzen
To increase the fruits and vegetables in your diet, this book helps make it fun and appealing. You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy them.

150 Vegan Favorites: Fresh, Easy, and Incredibly Delicious Recipes You Can Enjoy Every Day by Jay Solomon.
For a long time, vegans have practiced many healthy principles in their diets. These recipes are low in saturated fat and high in fiber, and include a great variety of fruits and vegetables -- they can be used either to construct an entire diet, or as part of a diet that includes meat. The best thing about this cookbook is that the ingredients aren't unusual or hard to find. It's simply a great guide to good tasting vegetable dishes.

 Myron Winick, M.D., Weight Watchers Medical Director
These books are recommended for people who want to get the most out of their diet and fitness programs. They reflect the sane and sensible Weight Watchers approach by providing tools, techniques and extra coaching to help people reach their weight and fitness goals.

Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook

Win the Weight Game: Successful Strategies for Living Well by Sarah, The Duchess of York and Weight Watchers

The Fit Factor: How Getting Strong Can Help You Lose Weight ,by Weight Watchers

Weight Stages: Successfully Manage Your Weight Through Life's Ups and Downs , by Weight Watchers

Coach Approach: How to Motivate the "Thin" You by Weight Watchers

 
The President's Council on Physical Fitness

Tamilee Webb's Step Up Fitness Workout by Tamilee Webb

New Dieter's Cook Book With Family Favorites Made Lighter

The New American Heart Association Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition

Brand Name Fat and Cholesterol Counter , by American Heart Association

Your Child's Fitness: Practical Advice for Parents by Susan Kalish

Getting in Shape: Workout Programs for Men and Women by Bob Anderson, Ed Burke and Bill Pearl

Hold It! You're Exercising Wrong/Your Prescription for First-Class Fitness -- Fast! by Ed J. Jackowski