Picking up books should help folks pump up fitness

Editor's note: This week in each Life section (plus Out There), we offer you topical books for gift giving this holiday season. Here are some health and fitness offerings:

"Stretching," the venerable fitness book written by Bob Anderson and illustrated by his wife, Jean, has gotten a makeover. For its 20th anniversary edition (Shelter Publications, $14.95), the book has been revised, with new drawings and stretching routines and updated information throughout.

Among the new stretches are 11 everyday routines, including stretches for gardeners, airplane travelers and computer operators. Fourteen new sports-specific stretches, including for mountain biking, inline skating and rock climbing, have been added as well.

Anderson's method of slow, steady stretching - paying close attention to how the it feels - hasn't changed. The book still reflects the idea that stretching is the simplest of fitness activities, one that can help whether you spend a lot of time in the gym or in front of the computer.

By the way, it's really the book's 25th anniversary if you count the original, self-published book from 1975. The Andersons, who live in Palmer Lake, teamed up with Shelter Publications in 1980.

Would you know what to do if your child was choking, in shock or having a seizure?

Preparing for an emergency is key to responding effectively when one arises. "The Good Housekeeping Family First Aid Book" (Hearst Books, $18) offers step-by-step instructions on how to handle emergencies, along with listing signs and symptoms to help you determine what emergency is unfolding. Heart attack and stroke, for example, often can be treated effectively if swift action is taken, yet many people don't recognize the symptoms.

"Playing It Safe" sections offer advice on creating a safer and healthier environment at home and elsewhere. The book also lists what you'll need for a well-stocked first aid kit.

It's never too late to start taking better care of yourself. That's the key message of "Taking Care After 50: A Self-Care Guide for Seniors" (Three Rivers Press, $17).

"Taking Care After 50" is written by Dr. Harvey Jay Cohen, director of the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development at Duke University, in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. It opens with eight prescriptions for better health, such as eating right, quitting smoking and reducing stress, plus a section on major health concerns faced by older people.

The book includes helpful charts, self-tests and such checklists as questions to ask when choosing a doctor.

The comprehensive book also covers mental health, noting that anxiety, depression and grief are among the challenges commonly faced by the elderly. And there's a helpful "Staying Safe" section on preventing falls, fires and other hazards.

It may not be everything you need to know about being a man, but there's a ton of information crammed into "The Great Life: A Man's Guide to Sports, Skills, Fitness and Serious Fun" (Penguin Books, $19), from the editors of Men's Journal. The book includes articles that have appeared in the magazine, along with lots of new information.

The book is divided into several sections, with the biggest devoted to health and fitness. That section includes several self- tests so you can see how you stack up against other guys in running, push-ups and other exercises.

After you've whipped yourself into shape using the book's wealth of workouts, move on over to the sports section and pick up tips on improving your skills in the sports you love. Or check out the extreme challenges in the adventure section and gauge your survival skills in "20 Questions for Outdoorsmen." Other sections include women, vices and skills - everything from changing a diaper to building your dream house.

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