Rating: 
Summary: This book can take you there if you are willing to go
Review: I have been on the Body-for-Life Program for the past 2 months. It has not been an easy road, as I had the flu twice (three weeks apart) in June. It was frustrating to keep getting off track, but I've been sticking with it and am noticing results. I can definately see better definition in my upper body. I gave the book 3 stars, because Mr. Phillips leads you to believe that the program is easy and inexpensive, when in fact a weeks worth of Myoplex (taken 4 servings daily as he recommends) costs over $50! Then add in the other supplements and you've got quite a hefty bill there. I cannot afford all the chickenbreasts for meals, and I especially cannot afford to spend $50 a week on protein shakes. Give it a go if you want to change. You will definately feel big accomplishments. However, you may end up altering some of his "nutrition plans" to fit your budget. I only drink Myoplex after workouts.
Rating: 
Summary: Even if you don't do the program, read it
Review: This book touched me in such an important way. Bill Phillips talks at one point about how people shut down over time, and why he thinks this occurs. It brought me to tears, because it's exactly how I felt about myself. That I was shutting down, that I was slowly but surely losing my interest in life, in everything. And my body was starting to look like it. I read the book, and have been doing the Body-for-Life exercise and diet program for about 6 weeks (half way through my first "challenge", as they're called). I've lost 12 pounds and taken 2.5 inches off my middle -- already better than half way to my goals. It's a wonderful program, and it's the first time I've done any kind of program that I honest have felt I could do forever. Generally, I've always been looking forward to it being "over" -- but that's the whole idea behind Body-for-Life: it's never over. Even if you decide not to do the Body-for-Life program itself (it IS rigorous!), the book is inspirational, and definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: It's SOOOO Easy To Lose Weight With The Right Motivation
Review: Phillips' book is an excellent start for a new life if you're NEW to lifting weights and nutrition in general. My girlfriend was 40 lbs. overweight and so far has lost 24 lbs. at week 9. She hasn't used the MYOPLEX ..., just simply substituted fat/sugar-free yogurt and generic vitamins. She doesn't take days off because they will generally make her stomach hurt, because her body isn't used to dealing with overeating. She normally just has a dessert on her day off. However if you're capable of doing the most basic of exercise and want to really lose weight, look great, and gain strength here is my secret: daily PT. 3 miles of running, 20 pull ups, 80 full-fledged sit ups, and a diet that includes 1 starch, 1 low fat meat, and a vegetable, no coke, and no sweets per meal..... Now go out and find someone or something to make you stick with it until you don't want to look like you're fit anymore. My motivation is my father and his weight induced diabetes and high blood pressure. I'm sure you can find one of your own.
Rating: 
Summary: This is the book that got me into the gym
Review: I really appreciate Bill Phillips sharing his ideas with us in this book. I'm not strictly following the Body for Life program, but I can say that I am back in the gym regularly. I like his style of encouragement. I found the photos and stories hard to believe at first, but then as I tried to follow the workout schedule, I realized that anyone who did follow it would probably see fantastic results. It's physically hard but easy to fit into your schedule. I was very glad to see the illustrations of the various exercises in the back.
Rating:
Summary: Mostly Pleased and Actually Using Some of the Info
Review: This book has some useful information, especially about exercise, but I won't try to describe it. It's been done in detail by other reviews. You will be working out A LOT, mostly weight lifting, but I especially liked his approach to the 20 minute Aerobic program which seems to be doing as much for me as twice that long on the treadmill that I used to do. He has a little different approach to weight lifting than other books. So far it seems to be working, but I don't look like the pictures YET. In one month I've lost 10 pounds and gained muscle tone. The only argument I have with the book is about his nutritional advice, but this is true of almost all body builders. They pretty much give you the party line-standard stuff. I was able to lose weight more effectively by using Neal Bernard's "Turn Off the Fat Genes." I like what Phillips says about portions though - the size of your fist. That's keeping it simple.
Rating:
Summary: Of Great Value to Beginners
Review: Nutrition and exercise are essencial to good health. Everyone knows that. How often do you recieve good information on either subject, though? Hardly ever, in my opinion. Count the number of times you see an ad for either junk food (resturants, fast food, or snack food) and the number of times you see an ad for a miracle cure (some 'ab' machine or some fat reducing cream or some electronic muscle stimulator for example) then compare that to the number of times you see something positive about health and exercise that doesn't promise a miracle cure. The program in Body for Life is HARD. I got though 7 weeks of it and had great results. I am going back on track. He tells you most of what you need to know. However he doesn't have a section on flexibility (a major ommition I hope is fixed in a later edition). He does tell you a lot about nutrition and a lot about exercise. He tells you a lot about what you need to do to succeed. The people who complete the challenge and are transformed are few in number - it isn't easy to get that kind of transformation and the only way to get at it is to transform your life and work hard. The single best thing about the book is the philosophy that can be found on each page. Can you do the program without EAS products? Yes! Is there a shortcut to becoming Barbie or Schwartzenegger? No! Can you change your life and make exercise and fitness and nutrition a priority? This book says you can and does it's best to get you there. You should get some other books to supplement what you read here. In fact if you are very overweight just start with this book on stretching first. It has improved my flexibility tremendously: (url) I have not read it, but the basic premise of the following nutrition book is compatible with what Mr. Phillips writes about in his book: (url) Enjoy and good luck at remaking your life.
Rating: 
Summary: Fluff, packaged in a glitzy cover
Review: One can admire Bill Phillips for one thing. He can make exercise sound fun even though we all know it isn't. The book is about 90% inspirational text and 10% practical information. The exercise regimen is very extreme in scope and depth. I would not recommend anyone who is obese to suddenly stop eating and go on an olympic-style workout plan for over 3 months. As an avid fitness and weight training enthusiast I can understand the intent but unless you are already somewhat fit, prepare to succumb to either injury or simply fail the program at some point. I read the book from cover to cover but did not go through with the 12-week program. I am merely doing what I have always done and am satisfied with it. Healthful diet, weights, cardio work, with good rest days in between. Consistency is the key here. Twelve weeks is simply not long enough to attain such lofty goals. Body for "LIFE" should be the kicker here...once you quit a fit lifestyle, be prepared to watch your gains disappear little by little as you reach for the second helping of 3-cheese lasagna and italian sausage.
Rating:
Summary: It worked for me
Review: I am 46 years old and have tried various exercise programs for 25 years. This is the first program that I have stuck to for more than 3 months. The concept of 20 minutes of intense aerobics 3 times a week and weight training for 45 minutes 3 times a week was not overwhelming because 20 minutes and 45 minutes is realistic. I didn't do the dietary supplements and protein stuff. I followed the basic diet principles of 6 small meals a day and lots of water. I didn't cheat with junk food or deserts except on Sunday like is allowed. I was also able to stick to this. I saw results right away which was encouraging. I exceeded my goals at the end of the 12 weeks. I dropped from 190 and 20% body fat to 165 and 13% body fat. I have stayed on the exercise program for a year now. It really has changed my life. I wouldn't miss a day for anything!! My metabolism is such that I pretty much eat what I want except that I have eliminated junk food from my diet. I recommend the book and the program. The exercise is intense, but it doesn't last long and that was the key for me. The free eat day on Sunday gave me something to look forward to and kept me from feeling deprived.
Rating:
Summary: Good info
Review: It is a good book with some good information. The stories are inspirational but it lakes a full spectrum approach to the topic. I know many people swear by the book and the program but having read the book and done the "Challenge" I can speak from experience , it lacks. I do not think there is a sentence on stretching and going from overweight to working out 6 days a week , using between 3 and 6 different supplements requires more of a book than this. This is just my opinion I know many people have achieved great things with it and I congratulate them.
Rating:
Summary: Bill truly wants everyone to succeed, but . . .
Review: ... I believe that this program has to hit you at the right time in your life in order for success to ensue. It is a difficult program to stick to if you've never done anything like this before. If I had one wish, it would be for Bill to write a book for those of us who are not gym-regulars. He IS an incredible motivator. I simply felt that he was not talking to me. I think that setting such high goals, right out of the gate, is what discouraged me because, realistically, my body was not ready for the intensity. ...
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