8 Minutes in the Morning to a Flat Belly    by Jorge Cruise Order:  USA  Can Rodale, 2004 (2004) Softcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson This is one of a series of 8 Minutes in the Morning programs that focus 'on building lean muscle tissue' and targeting specific problems (abdominal fat in this volume). Jorge Cruise tells us of a 'revolution going on in the field of weight loss', that aerobics and dieting are out, 'Resistance training is in', and that 8 minutes a day is enough to get results soon. Cruise introduces the topic by discussing health, as well as aesthetic, reasons for losing abdominal fat - increased risks for diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, back pain etc.. He includes a 'Beautiful Belly Basics' FAQ from his website (JorgeCruise.com), as well as testimonials from past clients. A section is devoted to the difference between nutritional and emotional eating (sample meals, snacks, and food lists are included), and there are many motivational suggestions throughout the book, on objectives, visualization, and so on. The program itself involves 4 weeks each at 3 different levels, with 3 days a week working on the abdomen, one day on upper body, one on lower body, one cleansing day, and one rest day. A medicine ball and fitness ball are required. Each session involves 4 moves (one minute each) performed twice, preceded by a minute of warmup jogging, and finished with brief cooldown stretches. Instructions are simple and clear, with photographs to demonstrate stances and moves. Forms are provided to track progress. I recommend 8 Minutes in the Morning to a Flat Belly to 'time challenged' individuals looking for a straightforward and inspiring game plan to help reduce abdominal fat. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews