Senior Fitness: The Diet and Exercise Program for Maximum Health and Longevity

by Ruth E. Heidrich

The senior years don't have to be filled with aches and pains. At age seventy, Ruth Heidrich has the bone mass density of a woman in her early thirties and a resting heart rate of forty-four. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of forty-seven, she has won more than nine hundred athletic trophies and medals and has been cancer-free for more than twenty years. In Senior Fitness, the "other" Dr. Ruth shows how to maintain and even increase physical and sexual fitness at any age―and dramatically reduce the risk of prostate cancer, varicose veins, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and a host of other ailments and diseases. Full of detailed medical information, this inspiring handbook is the ideal resource for all those seeking to make life after fifty full of fun and dynamism.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came across Ruth Heideich online and was intrigued by her story of besting an ominous cancer diagnosis in her mid forties through her self proclaimed ,ethos of a vegan diet and endurance fitness, namely running. She is amazing and still alive and in her 80s I believe.
The book has a bit of her story but is mostly a rudimentary how to to stay healthy and fit as an active older adult. I think people who are attracted to this book are already very familiar with her recommendations so I didn't learn a lot. However, as a personal trainer I found the book more inspiring professionally rather than personally. Even still, I hope to be like Ruth as I age. I just want to more about her and not just her accolades. I'll read her precious book, A Race for Life. Maybe she shares more of her personal journey there.

[Louise Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to get up and put on my shoes and run! This book was what I had been searching for.

The author writes in a friendly, motivating way, wanting every woman to get strong and live longer.

She's a vegan and gives alot of information on how being a vegan can help women live longer.

She knows her stuff, more than most doctors I would bet. If you can't run, she urges you to at least move more and change your diet for a long, and healthy life filled with fun and creativity.

[Mo]

I hadn't realized that the author's entire philosophy is based on eating a whole-food vegan diet, along with daily, vigorous and sweaty exercise. Sorry, but all that is too intense for me.

[Janis Hopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a favorite book for health advice for me as I prefer to take diet advice from older people. Young health gurus are awesome, but we all know that everything works for young people. I want to know what works for sick people and older people. In this book Ruth Heidrich tells her story of how she took a chance with Dr. John McDougal to address her breast cancer diagnosis and tells about how a starch based diet helped her to heal. Ruth is a long time vegetarian that also includes raw foods in her diet. Worth reading for diet advice as well as inspiration for a healthy lifestyle.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of Ruth Heidrich in the "Forks Over Knives" documentary. I was curious to see if she had written any books, and sure enough, she has. I would say having "senior" in the title isn't really necessary. This is a book for anyone interested in bettering their life through fitness and food. Ruth is an amazing woman and definitely an inspiration!

[Alias Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The pain of discipline is nothing compared to the pain of regret.
~~~ Ruth Heidrich~ Senior Fitness