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Summary: The Book That Changed My Life!
Review: I saw an article on Bill Phillips and Body For Life in USA Today in August. I went out the same day and bought the book and thank God I did. This book totally transformed the way I look at weight, health, diet, and even living. I lost two sizes in two and a half weeks WITHOUT DIETING. I just followed his exercise plan (fun!) and his nutritional guidelines. I have been on every diet and kept gaining weight back the second I went off the diet and thanks to Bill, I now know why. He is the Good Living Guru in my book. BUY THIS BOOK AND IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
Rating:
Summary: Safe, simple, powerful
Review: I devoured this book. The language is simple to understand, and the theories so simple you'll smack yourself in the forehead and say "Duh". For instance, you should work out on an empty stomach -- your body burns it's own fat stores -- instead of burning what you ate for lunch an hour ago. I've already started the program and I'm looking forward to the results.
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Summary: Great info for the person wanting to get in shape
Review: This book is a revelation in modern fitness. This is a no brainer. It takes all the guess work out of getting in shape. I recommend this book to anybody. and I mean anybody interested in getting in the best shape of their lives. Bill Phillips is a man among men when it comes to helping others.
Rating: 
Summary: Good info, but too much fluff
Review: As a reader of Bill's mag, I was afraid that this would just be more of the same, recycled in a different format. Fortunately, it is not, and there is some really useful information in here. I was also concerned that it would just be a big Myoplex advertisement - he does mention it, of course, since he makes it, but nowhere near as much as in the mag, and the book does not suffer for it. What the book does suffer from is that it is about half fluff. The training and nutrition chapters are excellent, but the rest of the book is mostly "You can do it! Attitude determines Altitude!" kind of stuff. Chapters on attitude, chapters full of testimonials, chapters of fluff questions just designed to reiterate points made earlier in the book. It does do an excellent job of simplifying the nutrition and workout programs, making it very simple and manageable. Overall worth the buy at Amazon's discount.
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Summary: Back in the Gym!
Review: I saw a copy of Bill's magazine at work and noticed in it the amazing transformations pictured there. I ordered the book right away and couldn't wait until Jan. 1. I was ready to go. During the time until the challenge started I read the book twice, highlighted and marked pages. I reviewed and summarized the info and I was excited to get going. I hadn't been to the gym for 9 years for various reasons, mainly lack of discipline on my part, but I turn 40 this year and I was sick of the way I looked. I was having a little shortness of breath on stairs and I knew carrying around all this extra "luggage" wasn't good for me. This book motivated me to get going again. It's been one week and I am sore but I consider it very profitable pain! I'm doing something about the way I look and feel. I am out of bed earlier and working out instead of sleeping. I feel great. I'm actually doing something about my physical condition and this book motivated me to do it. I bought a copy for my daughter and her husband and both of them are taking the challenge as well. If you are wondering if you need this book just take some of the "before" pictures and check them out. I looked terrible! If Bill chooses to publish my pictures in his magazine I will be ashamed of the "before" pictures but proud of the "after" pictures. Thanks Bill!
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Summary: A really well written and well structured book.
Review: I've been sitting and reading a lot of reviews, and for the most part it seems that people really liked the book. However, there are a few that seemed bent destroying the book's reputation. Most of the complaints didn't really even make much sense to me. I read one person talk about how some of the exercises in the book can hurt your back? I mean, come on people. All the exercises he pointed out were the most basic of weight training exercises, and unless you have a really bad back or use improper form, you should have no problems. Plus, if you don't like the exercises in the book, and decide to use your own, I think as long as you structure your workout the way he does in the book, you'll be fine. Others were bent on believing that Bill Phillips just HAD to have had some hidden agenda, it was ALL just to promote his company. Bill Phillips has written this book in order to help people, and I'm sure many people have been benefited from the information the book contains. I'm also sure, in the process he's gotten more people to buy his supplements. All I can say is, so what? He's a business man, this is what he does to make a living. Compared to a lot of people in the fitness industry Bill Phillips isn't even making half the money he could be making if he really wanted to. My next problem was with a comment made "Supplements only work if you keep using them." How long did it take you to figure this one out buddy? Food only works if you keep eating it also, did you know that? Just as weight training only works if you keep lifting. As for the book, I thought it was very good. The workout was well structured and very easy to follow. The nutrition program is very good, but may be slightly hard to follow if you're on a tight budget because of all the extra food you'll be buying, but this doesn't take away from the fact that the nutrition for life program does indeed work. This book might not be for someone who is very experienced with weight training, such as a pro bodybuilder, but it's still a great source of information for probably anyone. Just picking up a copy to add to your fitness library would be a very rewarding source of information.
Rating: 
Summary: Big motivator BUT too much focus on supps.
Review: This book is a huge motivator for many people, even the free video Bill sends out is a good motivator. But do you really need supplements to look good? Is it considered "healthy"? He doesn't directly push you to use EAS supps, but the hint is there that they are the "best." Instead of spending tons of money on supps, invest it else where. Supps only work if you keep using em. Another off the hand comment. Ever since this fitness challange came out bill's MM magazine has SUFFERED! What a waste of money. Use to be an awsome magazine.
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Summary: Cool Tips! A quality fitness guide
Review: This is an excellent book that contains quite a few cool tips on physical fitness. It has something for everybody: easy instructions to bodily fitness, motivational and inspirational stories, tips on a healthy diet, and lots of other good stuff. While this and that will certainly help to improve one's lifestyle, only the disciplined individual will reap the ultimate fruits of their labor. For mental fitness I recommend a book with a spiritual touch, which is very helpful and really works in this regard, which is Dietmar Scherf's "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression" also available at Amazon.
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Summary: Fitness Czar
Review: I liked this book because it includes a combination of inspiration and strategy that can be immediately implemented. Too many books are completely self promotional and avoid objectivity. While this book does not lack promotion, it is not overdone or distracting. If Bill Phillips does not believe in his product, why should we believe in it? The third party testimonials reinforce the systems outlined in this book and lend credibility to his claims. In terms of strategy, the lessons that can be learned in this book if executed will improve anyone's lifestyle. "The sky is the limit if your heart is in it", and I believe in these strategies because of the results from other ordinary people. Simply stated Bill, you earned the right to promote your system. Finally, the observance and financial support for the "Make A Wish Foundation" dispels the myth that individuals that are committed to "physical self actualization" are narcissistic. Bill shows concern for others as well as for himself, and that spells healthy balance in my book. Good book!
Rating:
Summary: Never Been Better
Review: I just finished my 12th week today and I've never felt better in all my life. I lost 3-4 inches in my waist but didn't loose any weight because my muscles got bigger. I have more energy than ever and I never feel hungry, in fact I am eating more than I used to. Best of all, I feel more confident and possative than ever. I got this book because I wanted more energy for work and I wanted to loose the extra fat on my body and get in shape. The fitness program in this book is simple, clear cut and structured making it very easy to follow. The book is also quite inspirational with its real life success stories and Bill's sage advice on attitude and commitment. He offers support but doesn't give a lot of hype; making it clear that it is up to you to make this change in your life and at the same time assuring you that you can do it no matter what shape your in. Some may find the menu suggestions a bit limited in which case I would recommend THE GOURMET PRESCRIPTION by Deborah Friedson Chud M.D. I have also read some complaints about the shakes Bill recommends, made by his own company. In his defense he does just recommend them not require them. Still I make my own shakes using frozen berries for carbos, flax oil for good fat, and ProtiZyme powder for protein and supplements. I am very thankful that I found this book as it has greatly changed my life for the better.
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