cover image SLY MOVES: My Proven Program to Lose Weight, Build Strength, Gain Willpower & Live Your Dream

SLY MOVES: My Proven Program to Lose Weight, Build Strength, Gain Willpower & Live Your Dream

Sylvester Stallone, . . HarperCollins, $24.95 (224pp) ISBN 978-0-06-073787-0

Is there a more inspiring song for a workout than the theme from Rocky ? Is there anyone who could better embody the ultimate action hero physique than Stallone? Of course not, which is why this guide to getting buff hits the nail on the head. Tales of the struggling young actor eating raw eggs in a kitchenless New York apartment give way to an explanation of how Stallone got in shape for the Rocky movies and Rambo . His routine boils down to doing cardiovascular activity; eating a balance of proteins, carbs and fats; and pumping a lot of iron. Stallone explains why diets don't work and lists what's in his refrigerator (buckwheat waffle mix) and freezer (ice cream). As a workout guide, the book isn't perfect; it's general and, while it does offer a substantial number of weight-lifting exercises, certain sections are puzzling (e.g., Stallone says, "forget StairMaster, it's a waste of effort," yet the accompanying photo shows a woman poised on one of those very machines). But Stallone wants to make every reader a winner, and he's incessantly empowering. Photos of him doing pushups and bench presses are inspiring, and the book wisely includes a number of photos of a female model doing exercises, too. (May)