Interactions

Trainers

Six months ago, I did nothing right in choosing a personal trainer ["Trainer Wanted: Must Fit," July 27], but he's working out fine. With hard work, determination and the right combination of exercises, he's helping me reshape my aging, postmenopausal body. I've had a few down weeks but for the most part, his weekly praise and encouragement keeps me motivated. He's worth every penny and I only wish I had gone this route eight years ago.

Sally Lyddane

Waldorf

Energy Bars

Last week's Lean Plate Club column ["Belly Up to the Bars, July 27] was a fun way to get into the differences between the various types of "energy," "nutrition," "meal replacement" bars.

The whole area of taste is a fascinating part of the evolution of a product category that originated to serve hard-core athletes -- who didn't really care as much about flavor -- and has expanded to include a huge mass consumer market. The challenges of balancing high-level nutrition and taste are big.

One small note about the graphic accompanying the column: It identified the EAS Advantage Edge bar; the product actually is EAS Advant-Edge and the particular bar your tasters had was part of the Complete Nutrition line.

Bill Menezes

Senior Counselor

Carmichael Lynch Spong

Denver