Rating: 
Summary: Amazing--at 59!
Review: OK--it sounded too good to be true -- waaaaaaaay too good--but here I am, at my 10-month anniversary of starting Bill Phillips' program -- and I'm 40 pounds lighter and muscular for the absolute first time in my life. And all I had to "go" on was what's in this book. To say I'm a new person is to state the obvious. My doctor is in awe. I'm in awe. And for the cost of this book, I'm looking at a healthy (and shapely) retirement. This is the BEST book I've ever added to my library, in terms of what it has done for my life.
Rating:
Summary: Bill Phillips is the MASTER
Review: It has been said that genius lies in the ability to simplify the complex. This being said, the book is pure genius. No one can have any further excuses once they pick this book up... he takes us from THINKING to DOING as smoothly as shifting gears in a Lamborghini... KUDOS Bill! This is a book whose time has come!
Rating:
Summary: It's fast, it's effective, it works. What more do you want?
Review: I'm on the 11th week of this program and while I'm not in two weeks going to look like the photos inside the book--those are the champions of the Body-for-LIFE challenge--it will probably only take me a month or so more to get there. This is not bad considering prior to this I had more-or-less given up on being much more than thin, since muscle-building programs always seem to take hours. And I have built more muscle working with weights for 45-minutes a day, three times a week, than I have in any previous program I've tried, no matter how lengthy. The thing to keep in mind, if you use Mr. Philips' system, is that you will be gaining weight as well as losing it. I've only netted about a pound a week weight loss--but I've lost much more than that in fat, since I've gained considerable muscle mass. This is a good thing unless you're obsessed with the numbers on the scale. The system for eating isn't a diet in the traditional crash-weight-loss sense. You don't measure stuff out with scales and tape-measures; you do have to maintain your integrity when picking portions for yourself. (There's a simple guideline.) You eat six meals a day from a simple menu. (Philips recommends a powdered drink mix but I don't care for those, and the program still works for me.) This is the real genius of the diet though: One day a week, you can eat whatever you want, however much you want. In the book, Mr. Philips says that you'll be happy to get back to your regular eating pattern after your "free day", even after only six days on the diet. I didn't believe it when I read it; I was astounded to experience it for myself. (I'm a binge eater, normally: I eat one or two huge meals a day, easily go 15 to 24 hours without food, enjoy fasting. This program changed that, quickly and rather easily.) I've enjoyed my free days, and some weeks I've looked forward to them more than others, but I'm glad to go back to (my new) normal diet afterward, every time. This really =is= something you can do for the rest of your life without completely organizing your life around exercise and diet. The exercise routines are quick and remarkably effective. The diet is flexible enough to where you never have to cheat. What more do you want? Well, if Amazon would let me, I would knock a half-a-star out for a few annoying things: The graphic design of the book is not helpful. (Even the typesetting of the title is obnoxious.) The graphics for the workouts communicate the concept, but don't really help you if you're sweataing through one. And why is it that the three groups of foods (proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables) have exactly the same number of entries in the table? Seems like the list could be expanded a bit. And, let's be honest: the number one source of philosophers in America are diet/exercise gurus. This book is no exception, being filled with insights and philosophies of how to live and take control of our lives and so on. I don't have a problem with this (and Mr. Philips' philosophy is fairly workable) but the sheer amount of it can make it difficult to just =find= the meat of the program (the exercise and diet patterns). I also always get a chuckle out of specious analogies like "grazers are horses" where "bingers are bears", so which do you want to look like? Oh yeah? How about cows (they graze) and lions (who binge)? But these are minor points. (Like the editorial review that thinks it's weird that carbohydrates and vegetables are listed separately--well, the vegetables are all of the low-cal variety and it wouldn't do to replace lettuce with a plate of pasta, would it?) The major point is that it works, and is manageable.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for Everyone
Review: Although Phillips would like to extend accessibility to his book to everyone, he cannot. I must admit that the book is a very useful guide to get back into fitness, and its detailed descriptions of the workouts and nutrition plan is meticulous and well thought out. However, in all honesty, it should have been called, "Body for Life for Overweight People," or something along those lines. I have no doubt that it has helped millions of people who are out of shape and several pounds overweight reclaim the bodies of their youth, and -- more importantly -- feel better. What this book does not do a good job of covering is how, if one is very lean, to build a bigger body. Phillips offers only one page on the subject, saying those wishing to gain muscle but not lose weight should follow the Training for Life and the Nutrition for Life Programs, but says nothing about the 20 minute aerobics workout, or how to modify it to fit not overweight people. I have a filling he's avoiding the issue, and that maybe 12 weeks isn't long enough for someone (like me) who's very thin to put on enough weight and achieve his (or her) desired body. I also thought the fact that he didn't outline an aerobics program for such people was slightly dangerous -- isn't some kind of cardio workout necessary for everyone? What he also does not go into is the tremendous resources one would have to have to complete the program, which you should know about before you even start. Though this could probably go without saying, he clearly has middle-class America in mind. He suggests a set of weights at home is better than gyms, but people who might afford the book at 40-50% off might not be able to afford the home set of weights or a gym membership; also the location of such a gym is important if you don't have either room or money for equipment at home. The enormous amount of food you have to buy is astonishing, and yes, the shakes are helpful, but expensive -- and of course he's trying to sell them. Perhaps the consideration of the financial status of the people who buy this book is not valid grounds for criticism, but since it might be helpful information for prospective buyers who won't have the budget for the body/life transformation (and therefore for whom the book will be almost worthless), they should be warned. I do feel the book does have certain benefits, although it is for certain people disadvantageous. For instance, it got me back in the gym for the first time in two years, and has given me (however indirectly -- how exactly do you a measure the portions of food by the size of your fist, especially if, like me, your fist is really big?) a general idea of how much food I will need to eat to gain the weight for my Body for Life. As far as the writing style goes, most of the success stories are sugar-coated, although they have helped a lot of people take a good look at just how much they have, and how good they really have it. It also puts too much stress on looking good and not enough on feeling good. That the book is a product of a beauty-obsessed culture is self-evident. Overall, I think the book is very helpful to a lot of people, but I gave it only two stars because people need to beware of its limitations as well as the financial situation it requires.
Rating: 
Summary: Overall good, but left a few questions....
Review: Overall I found this a good book to help with changing your body and life....BUT I had to wonder when looking through the "success stories" Where are all the people(esp women) my age? I found very few testimonials from women in the middle years who are facing hormonal changes, etc. I th ink the author neglected this group and therefore this book was not a keeper for me. Maybe he has better examples of people in the 40 plus category on his website.
Rating:
Summary: It's All About Self-Discipline
Review: I enjoyed the book, but for a few exceptions. Yes, the workouts are meant to be intense and the diet rigorous. This is why the BFL program works. I recommend it to others who have the self discipline to commit to 12 weeks of training not unlike an athlete going into competition. The book offers no easy solutions to getting in shape. If you are looking for a quick fix diet program, don't read the book. If you are looking for a recreational exercise program with light weights and low intensity cardio, again don't read the book. Bill Philips suggests a life style change that makes sense to those who are highly motivated, or need a little push to begin his program. The book is not without faults. I beleive the pushing of myoplex is way overdone. There are others cheaper products that work just fine. The daily protein requirements are the same whether you weigh 110 pounds or 250 pounds. 200+ grams of daily protein is to much for some individuals. Portion sizes are difficult to determine to those who may be new to a diet program. Overall, I recommend the book to anyone who has been searching for a program that promotes intense, short duration training as an alternative to an unfocused diet and exercise program. You will not regret reading the book whether you complete the BFL program or not!
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Summary: A book that could change your life!
Review: I'm not a fanatic about health books. Or diet crazes and fads. I don't follow all the new and rehashed ideas and "revolutionary" ideas that are published daily and get people all revved up. But this book is good. I believe this book can make a difference. And it doesn't matter how old you are or what condition you're in. If you can move and if the doctor gives you the ok, you can get in fantastic shape using these ideas. Having said that, I must admit that I am modifying some of the ideas in the book. I'm not following every little thing. And you may want to do the same thing. For one thing, the program doesn't call for as many vegetables as one should really have. Or fruits. And I think this is a mistake. In addition, it doesn't take into account various things like age and health and certain conditions that require special consideration. It sort of assumes everyone is the same and that one program works for all. I don't buy into this sort of thing at all. Bill Phillips also owns a magazine and a supplement company. So he, of course, pushes supplements. I'm told they are excellent supplements, albiet horribly expensive. But I must say he does not push them or tell us they're necessary to success in the program. Also, be aware that all the fitness people are offering "challenges" right now. There's a big push on and I suspect there's a lot of money at stake in the industry. I do not know that. But as a businessperson, I suspect it. And that's ok. But just be aware of it when you read the book. But having gotten the negatives out of the way, I found the book exciting and inspiring and, to be really honest, I felt empowered. You may not be young and your health may not be the best. But you can rebuild yourself and take control of your life. And your body and mind is the place to start. This is something YOU can do something about. So for these reasons, I highly recommend this book. If you follow it even in part, you will empower yourself and get in excellent shape. If you're older, you won't feel old. This is a book for everyone and it comes at a time when we have an over abundance of obese and unhealthy people. Get the book. You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational information for regular folks like you and me
Review: Incredible information the puts all of the pieces together for the non-bodybuilding folks that want to get to the best body they can build. It is tough, I get up early, work out harder than ever before (but in a shorter time), and focus on eating regular meals - 6 per day so my body is always getting nourishment (but I use a lot of protein bars to make this work for my lifestyle). It takes inspriation (Phillips prefers to point to internal inspiration rather than external motivation - and switching my perspective this way somehow works much better for me). I have been on it for 8 weeks, the changes to my body are easy to spot as I walk by a mirror - I am not gonna end up looking like the upper echelon in the book - at least not after the first round - but I am MUCH better off after the 8 weeks (and will continue for 4 more) and I plan to immediately begin another 12, then another, then another and so on....
Rating:
Summary: It works with some advice however....
Review: As far as these types of books go, this is one of the better ones out there on the market. Saying that, I must advise anyone starting from scratch that in order to be safe the exercises should first be monitored by a qualified Personal Trainer or other fitness expert. Far too many people end up with repetative strains injuries or even more serious conditions fromm improper workout technique. Secondly this book has its own line of supplements to push. Unless you suffer from a particular malady that requires supplementation any truly knowledgible person in the field would stress the importance of a good basic diet. The book does do a good job of that except for the added shakes and supplements. All in all a good place to start. I have used it with my own modifications and it does provide an adequate guide for acheiving your fitness goals.
Rating:
Summary: The info is here for the taking
Review: For most of us this is not the first attempt at learning more about fitness. I would venture to guess that most people buying this book already have some knowledge about what to do. Yes, we have to eat less and exercise more. We have to eat cleaner foods, do a fair amount of cardio work, and weight training. However, what Bill Phillips does is put it together in a simple and effective way so that we don't spend 3 hours per night on a treadmill or in the gym. If you think that you know everything there is to know about health and fitness and you're very self motivated, skip the book and get to it. However, this book is like taking along a personal trainer in book form. He motivates, instructs and gives us permission to fail and start again. What more can you ask for? Highly recommended.
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