Book Nook: '5 Skinny Habits' review

THE 5 SKINNY HABITS: How Ancient Wisdom Can Help You Lose Weight and Change Your Life Forever, by David Zulberg. Rodale, 242 pp., $24.99.

While tackling his own weight issues, David Zulberg, an expert on Maimonides -- the physician-

philosopher-biblical sage --

discovered the 12th century scholar's words of wisdom. Then he looked back to ancient sources, including Hippocrates, the father of medicine, and found their health advice surprisingly modern.

More than 800 years ago, "Maimonides stressed keeping our emotions in equilibrium during health and illness," writes Zulberg, a certified health coach and fitness specialist.

THE SCOOP Zulberg's "5 Skinny Habits" encourages gradual change, adding one routine a week: making one meal less than 250 calories; making your largest meal only lean protein and vegetables (with a glass of red wine); eating only veggies for seconds; doing just 10 minutes of cardio three times weekly; substituting healthier snacks.

THE BOTTOM LINE "The best type of exercise is that which influences the soul and causes it to rejoice," Maimonides wrote. And he hadn't even heard of Zumba.