Rating: 
Summary: Too complicated to follow
Review: As mentioned in another review, the nutrition advice was lacking, to say the least. I found this book had very good advice on weight training, but to follow this program is difficult.. especially if you're going to do it for the rest of your life. I also find that as a woman, I need more cardio work. Although the pictures show successful women I'd be willing to bet it works better with a man's body. I'll stick with jogging - it works better for me
Rating:
Summary: For the beginner, not a bad place to start.
Review: Bill Phillips exploded onto the bodybuilding scene in the early 90s and shook things up like they hadn't been in decades. In an age of Joe Weider controlling the market with his magazines, videos, supplements, and the like, Bill gained amazing amounts of market share in the magazine and particuarly the supplement fields in amazingly short amounts of time. Through his Supplementation company EAS he more or less took over the lions share of the market and his Muscle Media 2000 magazine was quickly gaining readership each issue. Then after a few years he began to change his approach to the business. Originally having been very into openly discussing steroids and their use in sports medicine and bodybuilding, Bill started to leave those ideas behind and focused on a leaner body type to aim for, and more of a motivational speaker approach to fitness. This has worked well for him and this book was the result of years of work on his magazine and videotape lines and is not a bad beginning at all. Written for the beginner to intermediate weightlifter this book is relatively straight forward with its routines and dietary regime to help people achieve the type of physique they want to achieve. What sets this apart from every other book on the market is primarily the approach Bill takes to sharing his knowledge. He is an extremely excited person when it comes to sharing information about fitness and how to get in better shape and as such he comes off like an Anthony Roberts of the weight room. If you're already familiar with a weight room and have a weight/diet routine that works for you then in odds this book won't offer very much besides a somewhat amusing read. But if you're just starting, or have yet to begin and are looking for a good book to help you make the first few steps to getting in shape, this is a solid choice. 3 and a half stars.
Rating: 
Summary: if you're out of shape, it can change your life
Review: This book contains basic information on weightlifting, exercising, and healthy eating. It's not rocket science. One thing this book does give which is hard to find elsewhere is the inspiration needed to actually start a fitness program like this. It's changed my life. I've lost 20 pounds and 4 inches off my gut in the last 12 weeks. I look and feel great. And I know I can keep it off because the program is simple and easy.
Rating: 
Summary: Too complicated for me
Review: I was looking for a good weight training book and found this one much too complicated and time consuming. Basically you do about six sets on each weight. The routine took over 45 minutes and wasn't very fun. Fortunately I have my own equipment. I can't imagine doing this at a health club with people waiting for the machines.
Rating: 
Summary: Just starting, but notice a difference in my friend!
Review: I too am skeptical of the pictures in the jacket of the book, but, as he states, 25 lbs is a safe amount of weight to lose. Many of the people shown did not have much more than 25 lbs to lose. I am not expecting my body to look like the pictures. It is impossible and unsafe. Also unrealistic. These people are not me. I have 55 pounds to lose. My body is not shaped like theirs. Therefore, it will have its own unique successes. After reading the book, I believe that most of his concepts are viable. His exercise techniques are safe and the diet is not restricted (NEVER trust a restrictive diet!) I have been doing what everyone else tries, long hard cardio and weight lifting sessions, for three years. I tightened up, but not much more. What have I got to lose? What I like about his book is that he stresses that this is not just a 12-week program. This is a life-path. The first 12 weeks will get your new habits firmly ingrained. The results will inspire you to continue this path. As we have been told (but few follow), diets DON'T work, live changes do. And this is not just a workout or diet lifestyle change. He stresses the mental and emotional changes as well. I read in another review (on the UK site) about how much money he's making off of this. If you read the book, it mentions that all proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Make a Wish Foundation in Colorado. In a separate review, a reader mentions that the book is just a sales pitch for his EAS products. Yes, he mentions them a few times in the book. But I didn't feel as if he were stressing that the only way that I could succeed would be to buy the products. In conclusion, I am excited about starting this plan. Even if I never look as great as the people on the jacket, I will be fitter, stronger, happier, more confident, and more focused. I think that is what is important.
Rating:
Summary: Learn from others, but take responsibility for yourself
Review: I am in the process of reading this book at the bookstore. One thing that strikes me in reading some of the reviews is this blaming of people like Bill Phillips saying "He didn't help me". That seems like a way to shift the blame from ourselves. There is alot of information out there. Some of it is helpful in each individual situation and some is not. It is up to each person to own his/her life, evaluate the information out there, and then listen to your own "feedback loop" to see if it is working for you. I have read Bill Phillip's magazine and I like the way he thinks. I have slashed high fat animal derived meat and dairy and man-made concentrated/saturated vegetable oils from my diet. I have been researching Asian and East Indian foods since they emphasize the Legumes, Grains, Fruits and Vegetables. When I go into markets selling those foods, I see very few fat people. I have just been walking and eating as described. I have lost over 30 pounds and am continuing to make steady progress to my goal which is 35 pounds away.
Rating:
Summary: Change Your Mind - Change Your Body - Change Your Life!
Review: I have read alot of the reviews, both positive and negative and have to say, that until you try this program, completely try it 100%, then no, it probably won't work for you. I am finishing up week 8 in my second challenge and as a 42-year old woman, this program WORKS. I have lost weight, slowly and properly, I have lost inches, but most importantly I have gained tons of energy, self-esteem and confidence.... If you follow the program and nutrition/eating recommendations, you can't but help gain energy and lose the weight.... I do not claim to be any kind of expert in exercise or nutrition, but this works!!! As Bill says, "Change Your Mind - Change Your Body - Change Your Life!" Anything worth having is worth working hard for and this is no exception. After being on the program, you won't want to feed your body junk anymore. I love the workouts and crave them now!! I love the feeling of being strong and healthy. After 12 weeks is over, hopefully this will become a lifestyle for you, as it will be for me. As one reviewer said, the pictures in the book are the exception, but with continued persistence, you can achieve the same results!! I can see it in me and love every minute of it!! This book will inspire you and it is written in a clear, concise format. No, one does not have to buy the EAS products, as there are many MRPs out there to choose from.... I highly recommend this book and on yahoo there are support groups to help one through the 12 weeks - check out BFL groups. The decision and choice is yours - a life of health and vitality or a life of being tired and out of shape all the time.... I will tell you that the ONLY challenge here is the one with yourself - you WILL be pushed to the max and then you will see that YOU CAN DO IT!!! Your self-confidence will soar!! Trust me on this!!! This program works and I have NEVER felt healthier or had MORE energy. I think that I had been starving myself in the past and now I am eating 6 meals a day, which are healthy, nutritious and I am not hungry and I have lost my cravings for junk food!! Invest 12 weeks, work the program as outlined and you too, will be amazed!!! Bill Phillips donates every penny on this book to the Make A Wish Foundation and has been instrumental in changing thousands of people's lives - His program is precise, exact and most importantly IT WORKS!!!
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing Book
Review: Twelve short weeks to transform from slug to to sluggo! I almost did not pick this one up. What a mistake that would have been for me. I would have missed a turning point in my life! This book is an easy, intelligent, interesting read. It has just the right mix of sports psychology and common sense to appeal to the athlete in everyone, from disgusted couch potato to ex-jock who can still remember when. It appeals to Mothers of many to ex-cheerleaders who have lost their reasons to cheer. They snow-on-the-roof-crowd have their heros in this book too. It is repleat with photos of 12-week wonders and stories of people of all ages and walks of life who took Phillip's challenge and turned their world upside down. It is about giving back: 1) to those around you, 2) to your soul (mind, will, and emotions), 3) to your spirit ( the very heart of yourself), 4) And finally to your neglected body. Bill Phillips decided to bring to the masses what only a few have known. If you change your physical self with a balanced, set of proven eating habits(6 small meals per day of protein/ carbohydrates) and exercise habits(3-20 min alternating aerobic workouts, with 3 - 45 min. weight lifting ones) you effect the three parts of you (spirit, soul, and body. And, you impact for the good those with whom you come in daily contact. The further wisdom of this schedule is shown in the seventh day of rest where there are no eating or exercise plans, just a free day to satisfy cravings or do what you want. This 52-year old Grey Beard bought not only one book but many for my family and friends. I am also in the middle of my 12-week challenge and have never felt better. My goal is to lose 40 pounds of body fat and add 10 pounds of muscle while losing about 5 inches on my waist in these 12 weeks. And, while I am at it, I might as well win the Corvette and the $100,000 in my division.
Rating:
Summary: Good principles, bad execution
Review: In this book, Bill Phillips presents some solid principles for fitness training. However, the poor execution and self promotion taint what would be a very good read. Looking at the physical aspect of the book, it presents a good regimen of weight training. It also stresses quality over quantity, which is an important concept to understand. However, this book is not the first publication to present this concept. It also puts emphasis on the effort of the reading as explained in his "Intesity Levels". This kind of intesity is sound advice but can be felt in the standard reps-set workout. Another principle outlined in this book that should not be ignored is the importance of planning your meals and workouts. It help a lot more than most people realize. You need'nt plan your workouts down to the amount of weight your going to use, but they are extremely helpful. I haven't gone a week without planning mine since i started working out. Some problems with the book are this. A regimen for stretching is absent from the book. Stretching is an absolute must in physical trainging. The book becomes down right embaressing in the nutrition section. His ideas are flimsy at best. The six meal plan he outlines is ludicrious, especially when three of those meals are his very own Mysoplex nutrion shakes. Shakes are fine, but you certainly don't need three a day! If you are really interested in nutrition (and you should be), there are better books to consult.
Rating:
Summary: You get out what you put in
Review: Having been a collegiate athlete in my earlier years I know what it feels like to have a muscular, fit and trim body. Well I had gained a few extra pounds over the years and subsequently me and my siginificant other embarked together on the 12 week program. We are starting week four and I for one can finally see the six pack again on me and her. This program is not a magic bullet. But like all things you get out of it what you put into it! If you have not been succesful at applying other such PROGRAMS in your life then maybe one should look at there WILLINGNESS to do what is required before starting.
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