Fit or Fat?

by Covert Bailey, Webster's II Dictionaries (Editor)

*

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Fitness

119 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Covert Bailey was born in 1931, and briefly attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, before dropping out to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1952. After graduating from the Army Language School in Monterey, California, he served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Cold War. After his service, he re-entered college and earned a bachelor's and a master's degree from Boston University in geology. In 1967 he enrolled in the master's program in nutritional biochemistry. He began his career as a nutritionist working for the California Dairy Council, giving lectures on diet, and gradually built up his skills as a lecturer. From 1978 to 1999, he authored or co-authored 8 different books on health, diet, and nutrition.

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wrong wrong wrong. Mr. Bailey says to reduce fat to lose weight, but we now know this is incorrect. As fat consumption has gone down in America, obesity has gone up. Fat slows the movement of food from your stomach so you feel full longer, increases satiety so you are satisfied, and decreases your appetite not only during your meal, but also at the NEXT meal. It also helps to stabilize your blood sugar and prevent insulin spikes which cause weight gain and all sorts of unsavory side effects. At least he supports exercise, but you don't have to read the book to know that.

[Michael Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I read this book years ago? A skinny kid had become an almost-skinny adult. Well, I was on a long-distance Amtrak trip. So I suppose my choices were limited. But at least Covert Bailey amused me. And I did confront another lesson that applies to all areas of life: real change must happen slowly. Placing this book in my healing-this-earth category might seem like a joke and it is, but it's a serious joke.

[Joe Spoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this many years ago, at the time when I was physically able to be a runner. The book explains why diets and dietary change alone do not work. It is funny that the new fad today (not sure of the name) is basically a rehash of Covert Bailey's philosophy.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back in the 90's... His whole series of books is full of so much information to help us understands our bodies. The chemistry of weight loss is featured in a "Fat for Dummy's" recipe that speaks to the layman.
Excellent book.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in my late teens and it had a profound impact on my life. I'll read his latest (ultimate) fit or fat now.

[Tanya Wadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be called exercise and healthy eating 101. Some of it is very basic (including how to check your pulse while exercising). Sound advice, quick read. Excellent health wisdom regarding exercising and diet for anyone who isn't a competitive athlete or who is not more than 100 pounds overweight. This health wisdom has stood the test of time (written in 1977). I believe I first read it in the mid 80's (and there is a newer version written in 1999).

Besides the emphasis on our need for regular aerobic exersice that I think I understand well, this is what I got from it on a second reading 20 years later:

1) A reminder of the negative impact of fasting on the body (fasting once a month for religious purposes is one thing, but not eating in anticpation of a big dinner or for any other reason is counter productive to a desire that the body is an efficient fat burning machine).

2) A reminder that when you are over 30, it is good to mix up kinds of exercise from day to day.

3) A reminder (that I still need) to eat more complex carbohydrates and less refined carbs and sugars.

4) A reminder not to worry to much about what the scale says and focus on inches and how well clothes fit.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to lose weight and become more healthy and fit, since it is moderate and doable for anyone and doesn't rely on any faddish ideas about dieting and health.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the book is not very PC... it uses the term "fatso" and the word fat throughout the book... but it's obvious that the author doesn't have ill intentions and uses the same term to describe himself at a point in his life... as well as "skinny" people who have a body fat % that is high.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made sense to me. I found myself agreeing with the author about how exercise is so important, not only in losing weight, but just in general. What you eat is also important, but when I am following a strict diet, I always gain the weight back when I stop eating according to whatever diet it is. Exercise changes the way your body uses the calories so you can have more flexibility in your diet. Just from personal experience, I have always lost weight easier when I exercise and this book explains why. It has motivated me to get up and move, which is just what I need right now.

[Christine Thorndill]

Excellent read. Read this 25 years ago and ordered it again. Still makes a lot of sense. I am a believer in less fat in your diet. I think some fats are good but as a runner it worked for me. Complex carbs are good. I esually liked his philosophy on swimming not a good way to lose weight if you are overweight

[Steve Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really agree anymore with Bailey's ideas concerning nutrition. For a young, healthy, lean and active individual, his prescription might work. He is a big advocate of exercise, though. That's a plus.

[Jessica Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great basic level start to fitness and nutrition. Having been published in the 70's, newer studies are available, but the basics are there and still valid! A quick 100 page read that should be required in high school and college so people have rudimentary knowledge!

[Taffey Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Covert Bailey has helped to greatly increase my knowledge on how to get fit and healthy for life. I already was winning "the battle of the bulge" and he has helped me continue to do so with this empowering literary work of art.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with bottom line basics. A great guide for getting and staying fit.

[Ludvig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good guide to why you should exercise regularly. Convincing.

[Mark Tilchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reality check on what it really takes to lose weight by understanding how the human body functions.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ultimate first book you should read before any other fitness or diet books. Pure empirical science.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book formed the basis for how I eat and exercise.

[Bill Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Main thesis is that long periods of activity at medium levels of exercise are the best for burning fat.

[Katy Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one years ago. Helped me to reset my thinking, getting the focus off of food, and onto getting outside and doing something.

[Karin]

In this edition, some of the information is now out of date. There is a much newer one that I haven't seen.