Rating: 
Summary: You can decide to change your body!
Review: I heard about this book three times before I took it out of the library. After renewing it several times I finally bought a copy, then bought others to give as gifts.This program really resonated with me: not because of the cash prizes in the online contest at (...), but because of the holistic approach to weight loss. It involves nutrition, exercise, goal setting, commitment, visualizing success, and support, oh, tons of support on the website. Yes, they sell vitamins, but I haven't bought any and you don't need to: I get what I need for this diet at the grocery store. In the past 9 weeks I've lost 19 pounds of fat and gained 6 pounds of muscle - truly reshaping my body. It's not magic, it's not luck, it's because of my efforts and deciding to make the commitment to try this plan. I truly recommend giving this 12-week transformation a shot. It's especially attractive to men, but women who've tried to lose weight through low-calorie/low-fat diets (and failed) may find, like I did, that this is the answer you've been waiting for. I'm developing skills that I can use for the rest of my life to get and stay fit and stop being so overweight.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Motivational
Review: I have read many other books on dieting and even tried several of them including the most recent "fad", Dr. Atkins low carb diet. I am here to say that, yes, the Atkins diet worked and I lost 35 lbs. Only to see it come back and then some. A total of 45 lbs in 1 1/2 years. You will loose weight that way but it is impossible to follow that plan for a lifetime. Bill Phillips brings it all together in his book, Body For Life. He instructs you on how to eat nutritionally and with proper portions as well as lays out an excercise program that anybody at any age and any weight can follow. He does promote some of his products from his company, EAS, but only to encourage you to use supplementation in your diet. You can find other products to use as Bill has provided advice in his Supplement Review, version 3, which you can get for free. Most importantly this book provides you with the information to help you make a complete lifestyle change. Including how to eat, how to weight train and how to get your cardiovascular excercise. This is NOT a diet. It becomes a WAY OF LIFE. The real life stories in the book are an inspiration and Bill, calmly motivates you without all the hype generally attributed to motivational individuals. Do yourself the biggest favor of your life, if you are seriously considering getting into the best shape of your life, purchase this book. You will not believe the results!
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is by far the best weight training book I have ever read. Easy to follow system. Good advice on weight training, nutrition, supplements, food types, and cardio. Designed so that a beginner can follow it. Very inspirational. Not too technical. Author is respected in the industry. Check out their web site too. There's also a good recipe book and 90 day weight training log that complements this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good idea, not much depth
Review: What I really like about Bill Phillips program is that the nutrition aspect is built around the idea of feeding your body, not restricting it. I found the book to be motivational. It is full of before and after pictures and success stories. What it lacks is depth and organization with respect to the actual program to follow. The exercise portion of the program consists of three days of weight lifting and three days of aerobic activity a week with one free day. The nutrition portion consists of eating six meals a day with somewhat vague guidelines of 1 serving of protein and one serving of carbs per 'meal' plus two additional servings of vegatables tacked on over the course of the day. There is a brief list of what 'approved' foods are in each category. I think this is really a common sense diet. A 'serving' is roughly the size of your fist. The author does not advocate a low carb diet but rather eating smart carbs and cutting out the junk. So basically, limit serving sizes, eat often, drink lots of water and don't eat junk. Again, one of the things I really like is the POSITIVE approach. He doesn't just say 'don't eat junk' but if you are putting something in your body, make sure it is full of stuff your body needs and can use! One downside is the big push to use Myoplex products which is a protein shake mix made by the company he owns- the book advertises it alot.
Rating:
Summary: The Best. Great Extensive Program. Motivational. Quality
Review: This author is clearly exceptional at what he does, and he can motivate and teach others. Combine that with a great book--pictures, journal templates, etc.--this is a big time winner. Covers everything but concisely, including exercises, myth debunking, principles and laws, eating, and the like. One of the best books there is on redefining your lifestyle to be fit and strong. His cookbook Eat for Life is also great and similarly attractively produced. Also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is the book 'Effortless Wellbeing' by Evan Finer. That book will compliment 'Body for Life' nicely because it covers material that is different though related. LIFE CHANGING and GREATLY BENEFICIAL MATERIAL HERE!!
Rating: 
Summary: A simple plan for fat America
Review: Raise our chubby fists to the sky, for America is the fattest nation on Earth. Nobody does "Super-size-it" and "sloppy seconds" better!! With that out of the way, on to the book. Excellent! I did this program 4 years ago with much success. The plan Bill lays out is "a common since plan", to quote another reviewer. Anybody can do it. When I see the fat sacks who changed their lives with this program, I realize that ANYBODY can do this with great results.
These people feel good because they look good. Save me all that psycho-babble garbage about how "one has to learn how to except his/her self. We're too complacent and permissive about certain things in this country. Fat's one of them. Fat is not an incurable disease. Rather, it's quite treatable. This book breaks it down most attainably.
I've modified my work-outs since to my liking, but I still take away valuable points I've learned from this program. For instance: 1. Eating 5-6 smaller meals a day. In essence, it's like continuing to throw a log on a fire...it keeps your metabolism running hot.
2. One free day a week. Thus, something to look forward to. What I also appreciate is how Bill doesn't buy into "all cardio".
He balances the two.
Most importantly, Bill focuses on the biggest muscle, if you will, of all. The mind. With most completetly sorry people, that's the biggest hurtle. Kudos to Bill. he's ever optimistic and positive. I, on the other hand, am a freakin' drill sergeant when it comes to fat. I have no pitty for lard-a$$es. All in all, this is the perfect fat girl...and guy program. So what are you waiting for, you overweight scourge of society? Get off your fat a$$, get in shape and help lower the nations ever rising health insurance premiums! And remember, looking good feels good.
Rating:
Summary: It works!
Review: Ignore the negativity in some of these reviews. This program works! I know, I've done it and 2 years later I still maintain a single digit bodyfat level. BTW, some of the negative reviews (especially one recent one) are from jealous competitors who are sick that their expensive books are going NOWHERE - ever! Ignore the LOSERS and be a winner! Buy it and use it!
Good luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Shallow, deceptive, dangerous
Review: This author sounds like a high-school dropout. He naively prescribes magic solutions for complex health problems, as follows:
(1) He contends that 12-weeks will do it all, with rest, training, and good diet. Then he contradicts himself by prescribing a 6-days workout week, alternating between aerobics and weight training. That does not leave any time for rest for a starter! People that are out-of-shape would require many months of steady training to see results. The heart does not adapt to strength training that dramatically, neither the bones, nor the cellular respiration or the hormonal system would change in a matter of 12 weeks.
(2) He prescribes frequent eating to maintain muscle mass. While that is reasonable for well-behaved folks, it is misleading for obese people. Frequent eating disturbs the digestive system and requires high level of discretion that is often lacking in people with eating disorders.
(3) He prescribes drinking a lot of water even if the body is swollen, asserting that more water intake promotes body water balance. That is erroneous in cases of heart or kidney problems or in water retention diseases that require medical attention. Overdrinking can cause water intoxication that presents initially as daziness and loss of control over muscules. Overhydration disturbs the blood function by dilution and diminishes hemoglobin concentration.
(4) He asserts that the old Egyptians suffered from malnutrition, 8000 years ago, because of eating grains, without substantiating his shallow historical knowledge.
(5) His exercise strategy is deceptive and dangerous. He seems to be fascinated with physical appearance rather than healthy functioning. From the book cover, the author seems obsessed with his blue eyes, white skin, and red hair. He prescribes exercises in isolation without realizing the significance of compound exercises in developing the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems. Exercising muscles in isolation creates inflexibility, imbalance, and predisposes to injuries. That is why Bodybuilding and Powerlifting are not considered Olympic sports, while Weightlifting is.
(6) He claims that weight training is superior to aerobics in losing weight. That is a fallacy. Weight training develops muscular mass at the expense of mitochondrial relative growth. He does not realize that physical endurance and muscular hypertrophy are mutually exclusive. Obese people have to gain mobility before getting into weight training that might cause injury and setbacks.
(7) He does not realize the impact of exercising with machines for resistance training. Machine exercises are supposed to complement freestyle exercises, such as the Clean from the floor, the Deadlift, the standing Shoulder Press, and the Squat. He is totally at loss when it comes to managing the differential load volume of exercising the limbs, spinal muscles, and the two girdles: shoulder and pelvis. His views of weight training conforms to the commercial and deceptive methods of impressing people with shinny machines, details of isolated exercises that do not lead to healthy skeletal balance, and promising people the sun and the moon.
(8) This book lacks any scientific referencing and demonstrates the irresponsible and shallow nature of its author.
Rating:
Summary: Finally... a nutrition book that makes sense
Review: I needed to lose about 15 pounds that was leftover from being pregnant with my second child. Reading Dr. Atkins and the like made me laugh out loud because, while their methods work temporarily, EVERYONE I've ever known to do the no-carb, low-carb thing gained all the weight back. Plus, most of them were pasty-faced, lethargic, and neurotic about everything they put in their mouths.
This book not only made biological sense (I have degrees in biological sciences ), it also works -- quickly. Like anything that will bring you success, it takes planning and preparation. The results are absolutely worth it.
In six weeks, I lost all 15 pounds and dropped two sizes, while building gorgeous, defined muscle and completely changing my outlook on nutrition and life.
Go, Bill.
Rating:
Summary: A very doable plan
Review: Rating System:
1 star - some books don't deserve to be published
2 stars - a waste of time except for a nugget or two
3 stars - good, worth reading
4 stars - what writing should be, well worth the time invested
5 stars - a classic; must own and share with others MY FEEDBACK
1) Book is overflowing with positive attitude through the uplifing writing style. I appreciated this. 2) Nicely organized plan. Takes all the guess work out 3) Very doable plan, regardless of your current health/exercise level. He does make it clear that for certain risk groups to check with your doctor first 4) Doesn't explain clear enough how to measure & track body fat loss and muscle gain. Submitted this question online two days ago...still waiting for an answer back. Anyone monitoring the email over there? 5) Would have appreciated more details on how to prepare at home for the program vs. if I have a gym membership. For example I'm finding I really needed to take stock of my home weights. But after doing it a time or two I was able to figure out what size weights I needed to buy and add to my collection in order to get through the entire 12 weeks. This is a little tip I would have liked up front because if it was in the book I didn't see it. 6) Get the journal! It helps! I studied the core book then took it back to the library, but I definitely believe in owning the journal. I'm glad I got it since it is making my preperation for the program so much easier. I'm giving the journal a 4 star and leaving this at a 3. 7) The before and after pictures are awesome! 8) I had some friends attempt this plan about two years ago. Several gained a lot of "fat"/bulk but it really seemed because they were eating 6 times a day but not watching their portion sizes. Beware. 9) Two years ago I dared myself to do a triatholon and I didn't even know how to swim. What I learned from that experience is:
a) you can overcome your fears & shortcomings if you want
b) you can do more than you ever thought possible if you stick with something long enough to enjoy the results. In other words, there is no "trying" this program. Just plan to do the entire 12 weeks and do it.
c) that if you set your schedule and do something regularly, like Bill suggests in this program, you'll find before you know it that it all becomes an easy to manage habit to work out and eat right OVERALL: Book is well presented. Well organized. Easy to follow and is common sense stuff most of us have heard before from different sources but never put it together into a concise plan. I look forward to starting this weekend and completing it and reach my goals.
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