What do our Olympic heroes, the cast of "Baywatch, " Madonna, and thousands of other trim and healthy people around the country have in common? They're all in " The Zone."

According to Dr. Barry Sears, " The Zone" is " that mysterious but very real state in which your body and mind work together at their ultimate best." Based on Nobel Prize-winning research, this book helps readers reach this state by teaching them groundbreaking nutritional principles. The basic premise is simple: calorie counting doesn't work. Maintaining the correct ratio of fats (yes, fats), proteins, and carbohydrates is what's important.

Designed to take the reader beyond wellness and into truly optimal health, Dr. Sears' life plan helps people lose weight permanently, avoid disease, enhance mental productivity, achieve maximum physical performance, and balance and control hormone and insulin levels. The plan is easy to follow--there are no rigid menus, just clear, sensible guidelines on how to create a personal nutrition program. With sample recipes (such as old-fashioned oatmeal and salmon mousse), a list of good and bad carbohydrates, recommendations on convenience foods, and tips on eating out are also included.

Who's in The Zone?

Carl Lewis, Alvin Harrison, Leroy Burrell

Sinjin Smith, Alicia Silverstone, Tori Spelling

Janet Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and many more