LifestylesChanges

    The idea for this project was developed while I was working at Akron General Hospital’s Lifestyles (www.agmc.org/lifestyles) located in Akron, Ohio. Lifestyles is a hospital based health and wellness center created and developed by Akron General Hospital (recently voted one of the top hospitals in the Nation). Our objective is to promote health and wellness by focusing on education, prevention, early detection, and treatment of disease. Lifestyles' 197,000 square-foot center brings together outpatient surgery, diagnostic services, cardiac and pulmonary services, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and a medically supervised exercise and membership program. Within the exercise facility, there is the main floor containing aerobic and non free-weight machines, a free-weight room, gymnasium, track, pool, and two aerobic studios. This is where we fully integrate all aspects of health. Lifestyles is the winner of five Nova 7 Awards, the premier award in the fitness industry, and we are currently ranked the #1 Health and Wellness Center in the Nation and have been for 5 years in a row.

    As a fitness instructor and personal trainer at Lifestyles, my duties are to develop and implement programs of health, which benefit our 8000-plus members. In keeping within the scope of the mission, I felt it would be beneficial to educate our members on proper nutrition and exercise guidelines. The goal is to keep all the members motivated by simplifying technical information involved in this field. The first rough draft of the book was a simple how-to guide that explained exercise, blood pressure, cholesterol, and general nutrition. After evaluating the first draft, there was a need to address other aspects of the fitness industry such as bodybuilding, pregnancy, power-lifting, sports nutrition, sports training, and alternative health. I realized that we could not really author the latest and best information available on these subjects, so attempts to contact the leading authorities within every field were attempted. The professionals contacted believed in the book and agreed to author their respective chapter (all authors are noted on the following pages). The completed effort took over 3 years.

    Provided with the book are skinfold calipers, for those who would like to track and monitor their body fat, which we feel is very important. The final aspect of the book I address is keeping up with current information. Our website is designed to do exactly this, as well as provide free support for all your needs (support@lifestylschanges.com). (You may also contact us via phone or in writing).

    We thank you for your interest in the book, wish you the best in achieving a healthy lifestyle, and look forward to working with you in all your endeavors.

Ned A. Hamad Jr., Editor/Project Coordinator

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Copyright 2003 Washington Press Publishing