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Summary: Get motivated with Body for Life.
Review: If you ever needed motivation to get into shape and begin and continue with an exercise program, "Body for Life" is it. The book is easy to read, written at times, in very simplistic "street" language, and provides a seemingly simple method to reshape your body and live a healthier life. The many "before and after" photographs, along with the individual case stories, only add to the fire that author Bill Phillps lights under his readers.I personally found the program a little hard to follow - I could not really get the correct weight value for me to work out with. And probably for other physiological reasons, I ended up modifying the program to something more "traditional," though I have retained Body for Life methods in my aerobic workout. I don't agree with some of the dietary recommendations, instead relying on the information in "Power Eating" by Susan Kleiner (which I highly recommend). For example, if you are a vegetarian, there is little support for you. I also don't agree with the suggestion that warming up before working out is unnecessary, and is incorporated into the program. The Body for Life website provides very useful software tools to help you along, and although they claim to provide support, several e-mails I sent to them went unanswered. Obviously, though, many people have been able to follow the program and have done well. So I may be in the minority, and am doing okay with my modified program. Overall, the book is an excellent resource and gives you a real kick in the pants to get going. I highly recommend it and have recommended it to many people I know.
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Summary: It Worked for Me
Review: I have always been skeptical of fitness programs like this. But after I saw some of our local newscasters test out this 12 week program, I thought it was worth a try. The book was structured, motivating and downright inspirational. Best of all - it worked! In 12 weeks I lost 20 lbs. and dropped 3 dress sizes. I had been trying to eat healthy and work out regularly, but this program helped me to change what I was doing so with actually less effort and more efficiency, I achieved great results. In the month since I finished, I have continued with this healthy lifestyle which is now easy to do. My tastes have changed and I can no longer even tolerate salty fat food or undiluted sweets. I look forward to my daily workouts. Of course, all the positive comments I've received from friends and co-workers have helped, too. My one problem with the book is that it could use an index. This would make a great Christmas or New Year's Resolution present for anybody you know.
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Summary: Great Book For All Training Levels
Review: This book is great no matter what your level of training is - from beginner to advanced people who are looking for a change. The best thing about the book for beginners is the set program in easy to understand language. There aren't any scientific measurements needed in the food recommendations. He does mention several of his products, but admits any products or just regular food will work. The book also has inspirational stories. I think you will find that the programs are easy to follow and will get you results. My wife is now working out due to this book, and I'm buying it for my mother for Christmas.
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Summary: It gave me what I needed
Review: I had been trying to lose weight for years. I guess I was neither serious enough to do it on my own or I just hadn't found the right "formula." I bought Body For Life and read part of it, got all inspired, took some "before" pictures, then ... didn't exercise, forgot about my pictures and left the book on my nightstand. A few months later though, I read the entire book and decided to follow Bill Phillip's 12 week plan. Guess what? IT WORKED! Although I probably already knew most of the information given in the book, it was laid out in such a way that no thinking was required. The pictures in the book also gave me a dose of willpower that I had been lacking. In 3 months, I went from 210 lbs to 168 lbs, a loss of 42 lbs! People I had not seen in months told me it was difficult to recognize me. My waist decreased 5 inches and even my neck decreased an inch and a half. It was truly a life changing event. Although I did not enter the "Challenge," this book really made me feel like a winner.
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Summary: Flim Flam
Review: Bill Phillips is quite a salesman. But this book is very short on nutrition and completely ignores the common side effects of a high protein diet, which can wreak havoc with the digestive tract. The book gives an 800 number for diet counseling, but the counselors are similarly lacking knowledge of basic nutrition and understanding of metabolism. Phillips provides numerous testimonials from his "champions" yet admits every one of them uses the supplements his company sells. Those supplements are mentioned throughout the book and if taken as recommended would cost the dieter over three hundred dollars per month. I suspect this is what the program is all about.
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Summary: Body for Life - Audio
Review: Truly a life changing book. Listening to Bill Phillips speak adds a new level of motivation and commitment to the concepts in the book. The actions you put into place will trancend physical fitness - you will notice a difference in the way you think, feel and interact with family and friends. Inspiring!
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Summary: The Perfect Christmas gift that can change your life forever
Review: Bill Phillips,"Body for Life," would be the perfect Christmas gift for yourself,or someone in your life that needs to get there body in shape for the coming new year...I've lost 50 pounds since March of 1999 and kept the weight off.This book tells you,with pictures,the best workout routines,and what kind of foods to eat,and you get to cheat once a week.That's my favorite part.I've bought alot of books over the years to lose weight.Bill Phillips "Body for Life" is the only one that worked for me.If you want to see my before and after picture,write,and I'll send you my web-site.
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Summary: This book is great
Review: Even though I have only been on the program in the book for a few weeks, I have lost weight and I feel better physically and mentally already. And my crazy chocolate cravings have totally disappeared. In fact, when someone brought in a box of Ethel M chocolates today at work, I initially thought "oh, no, I am going to ruin my eating habits today". I did eat one, however, one was enough. Since I have been eating so healthy, the chocolate seemed too sweet and I didn't want another one. To me, that is a miracle! I have always tried and tried to eat healthy, but if I am anywhere near chocolate, I can't help myself, and always sabotage my healthy eating. All in all, Body For Life is a great program to follow. I would also like to mention that I began a similiar program 2 years ago in a book by Larry North called "Slimdown For Life" (which also has glowing reviews). Larry North's program is almost identical to this one, except you eat 5 times a day and you don't exercise as hard. I think a mix between this and Body for Life is a good balance for me. Also, Larry North's book has a LOT of recipes that will fit in the Body for Life plan. I do give this book 4 stars instead of 5 because I believe Bill could have included more meal planning examples and there are no recipes (you have to go to his website for recipes). And also because even though he says all you need are dumbbells, some of the exercises use different machines. A final note to the individuals who claim Bill is only trying to sell his EAS products - give me a break - he only talks about the advantage of using them on 1 and a half pages, and that is it. I have found that these products help me a great deal since I am very busy and they enable me to stay on the program without giving up or giving in because I don't feel like cooking.
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Summary: All around great!
Review: Several times in my life I have tried to dedicate myself to working out - I've lifted weights some, done aerobics some, etc. When I saw this book at a friend's house, I was immediately sold. First off, the before and after pictures behind the covers are truly amazing. Then I bought and read the book. I was expecting Bill to be a thick-necked lug who wouldn't be able to write. Boy was I wrong! The book has very solid motivational concepts and techniques that impressed me. However, what was most helpful is that he outlines the COMPLETE plan - from food (what, how much) to the exercises (how often, exactly how, etc.). Add to that the supplementary videos and information on the web site, and it makes this a great book! I have been doing it off and on (not perfect yet, and better than ever before) for months, and seeing great benefit. I wouldn't call myself a "gym rat", but I go faithfully and really enjoy myself! This book is good for me because I always think: if I have a plan, I can do anything. This book is a great plan.
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Summary: Having Trouble Getting Motivated?
Review: As a massage therapist working on my Ph.D., I was having trouble getting motivated to go out and do the extra work required to make my body into the body I really wanted. This is one of the most motivational books I have read on the subject of exercise. He really gives you some great ideas to get you going. In the area of nutrition, I believe he was a little off the mark, but other than that, it's a fine book for the physical fitness library. I'm exercising regularly, and most important, I'm giving my body the extra "push" it needs.
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