ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would not have been possible without the incredible help, inspiration, and hard work of many talented individuals.

Thank you to Maria Rodale and the entire Rodale family. You've been blazing the path of health and wellness, and continue to find new ways to help millions of people. To Women's Health editorial director and brand leader David Zinczenko, thank you for providing endless leadership and your never-ending determination to make health an important topic. Same to Stephen Perrine, publisher of Rodale books. You opened the door and gave me the opportunity to write books, and it's been a life-changing endeavor. Thank you.

Many thanks go out to the editors at Women's Health and the brilliant minds at Men's Health. It's impossible to thank everyone I've worked with, but I'm eternally indebted to the staff at Men's Health for making me a better writer, researcher, and editor.

To the people who brought this book to life: Thank you to Debbie McHugh for your vision and belief that I could make this happen. To Jeff Csatari, your never-ending creative ideas were essential in getting this project off the ground. Mike Zimmerman, there are few men better than you. To my incredible editor, Ursula Cary—I have never sounded better on paper (or made more sense to women). The amazing photography by Beth Bischoff. I can't forget Erin Williams, whose copy editing skills are unparalleled; and Laura White and our design team, led by George Karabotsos. George—I don't think you could design a bad-looking book if you tried.

Special thanks to Alan Aragon and Mike Roussell for their nutrition genius. And John Romaniello—you are first class in every sense of the term, and your fitness programs will make a lot of women very happy.

Neema Yazdani—the dream still lives.

Abby Lerner, Maria Masters, and Naomi Piercey: You don't realize it, but I couldn't have written a book for women without your help.

To my many mentors: Martin Rooney, Alwyn and Rachel Cosgrove, Bill Hartman, Eric Cressey, Mike Robertson, Valerie Waters, Joe Dowdell, Mike Boyle, Jason Ferruggia, Jim Smith, David Jack, Robert Dos Remedios, and Craig Ballantyne—I stand on your shoulders.

To my Demand Media and Livestrong.com family, particularly Dan Brian and Jeremy Reed: Thank you for allowing me to take on this project for the greater good of all people.

A special mention goes out to my mentor, Ted Spiker: You offer the greatest gift anyone could ever offer: unconditional belief and support, and the ability to make anyone believe they are capable of doing more.

To my parents: Mom and Dad, sorry I missed so many calls while I was working too much. Everything I am, I owe to both of you.

My brothers Josh, Aaron, and Jordan: You are my best friends in the world.

And of course, Rachie: You are the heartbeat of my strength and bring out an incredible version of me that I never thought was possible. You are my #1.

I am humbled by all of you. Thank you. Now let's see some abs.