Rating: 
Summary: This Book Will Change Your Life
Review: For the life of me, I can't figure out how on earth some people can claim to have followed this program and not have had results. Granted it is simple - go to the gym a lot and eat clean and you will see results - no book needs to TELL you that. But this is the first book I have ever had that told me WHAT to do, HOW to do it, EXACTLY how to do everything. And for 12 weeks, I did just that - because a friend said he would buy the book for me if I would only give the program the 12 weeks. He said it would change my life. It did.I lost 28lbs and 7% body fat in LESS than 12 weeks. I will be glad to show anyone MY pictures if you e-mail me at the address below, my AFTER pictures were taken on May 16, 2001. This book introduced me to weight training and there were no gimmicks in the eating. Every 7th day I got to eat whatever I wanted (like whole pizzas and gallons of ice cream) so I never felt deprived - I just waited until the program free day. I was always so sick the day after free day that it was almost a relief to go back to clean eating! And during the week, I never cut out any major food group that left me with cravings. On supplements - yep, BFL pushes EAS supplements, which I bought. But they are no more expensive than the crap I was eating before, and half the time I personally just preferred a baked potato and piece of chicken to a shake. I bought supplements once and only took them sporadically - but I did notice that I was peppier and lifted more weight with them. I am going to do a second challenge and plan to use the supplements religiously next time. You do NOT have to use the supplements to benefit from this program - but personally I found it hard to use the supplements and then eat donuts, if you know what I mean. This program is for real. I have no idea how anyone could follow these instructions and not have huge results. I began at 32% body fat and 180lbs. I went from a size 20 to a size 14 from February to May . . . and I actually have ab muscles peeking out for the first time in my life. Ringing endorsement from this former fattie and new gym junkie.
Rating: 
Summary: You will lose weight but don't expect miracles
Review: I spent 16 weeks in the program. Yes, I lost weight, but even taking the shakes, excersing 6 days a week and controlling my meals -yes, 6 a day- I don't look (by any means) as the folks in the book. Honestly, after eating as explained in the book and excersing so much, the least I expected was looking slim. But by following the program I didn't get the results offered in the book. Bottom line: if you want just to lose weight, you don't need to buy this book. And if you expect to look really good...well, buy something else or get a trainer.
Rating: 
Summary: what can one replace the expensive supplements with???
Review: great book but i have a question : i cannot afford those expensive myoplex shakes so what can one have instead?...
Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life!
Review: Just a quick response to some of the doubters out there. First, the pictures in the book are real. They are the official contest pictures submitted by past winners. As you can see, many of the people in the pictures are holding newspapers to verify their start and finish dates. These are not typical results. They are the absolute cream of the crop. Over 600,000 people sent in their entry forms last year, and I don't find it very hard to believe that a few of them had extraordinary results. Don't go into the challenge expecting to look like one of these folks when you're done. But know that it CAN happen. Also, for anybody looking to buy the book, some people say that he doesn't provide enough info. Well, he provides a 24 hour a day phone number where you can call and talk to a live person and ask all the questions you want. They'll even help you out if you just need a little motivation. I'm in week 6 and down 30 pounds already. Buy this book....thank me later.
Rating:
Summary: It will change your life...
Review: This was THE BEST thing I have ever done for myself. This book and program are so easy to follow that anyone can follow it. if you follow this program how it is written..you will see results. 12 weeks changed my life. Do yourself a favor..buy this book if you are seriously wanting to change your body and life. My 12 week before and after pic is on bodychangers.com (page 10 : amanda lamb) Always willing to answer any questions as well. Buy the book..you won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Start--But Lots of Missing Information
Review: Agreed, this book and it's cover are highly motivating, but the book is lacking beyond that. There are no recommended starting weights for beginners. I'm already familiar with what weight I can lift, but what about people who aren't? It doesn't recommend any stretching. After six weeks on this program, I noticed my flexibility had decreased dramatically since I stopped the stretching routines I had done with previous programs. Also after six weeks of faithfully following the program both in exercise and diet, I only lost 2 pounds. I need to lose 25. Yes, I could see some increase in muscle, but was nevertheless very discouraged since I knew I was half-way through the 12 weeks and not even close to half-way meeting my goals, or at least it seemed. Perhaps these results were typical, and weight loss would speed up in later weeks---who knows since the book doesn't give any information on this. Also, I think the photos are misleading since the book states 12-weeks to a better body, and I highly doubt that most of those people made their transformations in 12 weeks. So, like I said, there's a lot of missing information.
Rating:
Summary: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Review: I've recently completed the 12 week program. During my 12 week program I strictly followed the program outlined in the book. I hit my high points, watched my diet, and got plenty of rest. I was able to lose 12 lbs and reduce my bodyfat from 30% to 14%. Great results by any other standard, however you wouldn't see my before and after pictures in any future books by Bill Phillips! You can get great results following the program, but just don't expect to get the results you see in the book! Which leads me to be very suspicious of the entire 12 week contest and the pictures in the book. My before pictures didn't look nearly as bad as many in the book and my after pictures couldn't even compare to the six pack wonders in the book. It was kinda depressing to see my after pictures but I had to remind myself I was comparing myself to a false standard. Having followed the 12 week program to the "T", and additionally using enphedra diet supplements along the way, it's my strong opinion that the pictures in the book are misrepresented. Either the people used steroid like supplements or there was more than 12 weeks between the pictures....take your pick. That said, many of the principles outlined in the book are sound. Although many things in the book have been ripped because they lack "scientific" evidence. If the reviewers here would have any reading comprehension, they'd remember Bill Phillips stated that for clarity & briefty sake, he's left out the reams of supporting documentation of the principles in the book. If you'll do the research you'll find the principles to be at least supported by many others... The fitness section of any book store sorely lacks in both quantity and quality. Everyone is an expert, and everyone else is an idiot. Give all the principles in the book an honest effort, set a goal of sticking with the program for 12 weeks, do the written exercises in the book, find a support group or friends to keep you on track, then if you can find faults besides you can't get the same before and after results in the book....then and only then come back and rip the book...but I doubt you will
Rating:
Summary: Forget the rest - this is the best!
Review: This book changed my life. Literally. Now granted, I ALREADY wanted to lose weight, get fit, and change my outlook on life prior to reading the book. So, in a way, I was ready to follow the instructions before reading the first page. However, unlike other weight-loss books, this one helped me to think on my feet in terms of organizing a better way of getting fit. There are no "fads" in the book. Everything is healthy and makes perfect sense. Even the idea of having a "free" day (which NO program, not even Weight Watchers gives you) on which to eat what I want and keep my cravings in check. Did I lose weight? YES! Did I tone up? YES! Do I feel great? Absolutely. I lost eight pounds in the first three weeks alone. Yes, there were days when I didn't want to follow the program, but I made sure I kept my goals in sight and now I can fit into dresses that I haven't worn in YEARS! Keep in mind, this book will only help you if you are ready to be helped, if you want to put in the work, and if you are ready to see results. I recommend this book to ALL my friends, even those who just want to be more fit and are not necessarily looking to lose weight.
Rating:
Summary: Body for Life
Review: I have been involved with working out for ten years and think this is a great book. It will help beginners get on track with fitness, weights and nutrition. For experienced gym fanatics, it will remind you what you are supposed to be doing: eating healthy several times per day, pushing to your max, working cardio and weights. I have been going to the same aerobics class for a year and can't tell you how many people have NOT MADE ANY IMPROVEMENTS. They haven't lost weight and haven't toned up. They aren't challenging themselves to improve. You can do this program without adding any supplements, but they make the meals much more convenient. I am currently doing the twelve-week challenge. I'm not hungry, not stuffed, have more energy, and really FEEL better from the workouts. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to make a significant change in their life and COMMITTING themselves to do it.
Rating:
Summary: stick to the basics and have a body for life for real
Review: The few negative reviews are all by people who got bogged down on unimportant details. Can't afford Myoplex? buy a cheaper brand (up to half the price, similar nutrition). Too much time required? get real, if you can't dedicate 30 min per day to your health, then you probably won't follow any program prescribed to you. No new information or secrets? no, but all the important information for beginners is there. Listen to Bill, he is very smart, but you have to listen. Focus on intensity as often as possible, you don't need to hit the "high point" every workout. this is a great book that can change your life.
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