Rating: 
Summary: It worked for me and my Mother!!
Review: This is the finest book on building a heathly lifestyle ever. I was an overweight child and in my adult years I was getting in worse and worse shape. I went on this program and now I have a 31 inch waist and a 44 inch chest. It also made me look so young that on my 35th birthday I had to produce an ID to buy beer at the grocery store. It has made my whole life MUCH MORE enjoyable. God bless Bill Phillips! My Mother is on the program and she is getting fantastic results.To the trainers that are writing negative things about the book... I'll bet you anything that I am in better shape than you are! Buy this book!!
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Summary: If you are skinny and hyper-metabolistic-READ THIS
Review: I am (was) a 28 year old, 145lb, 5'11" male beanpole. I can eat whatever I want and not get fat. My natural bodyfat percentage was around 10% after virtually no excercise my entire life. I bought the book, entered the contest and am nearing the 12th week. I followed Bill's plan to a T and saw minimal results. I am currently eating about 3500k calories a day (good god!) and cannot gain any weight! Honestly, I have gained about 8lbs of muscle and 2 lbs of fat. This was all accomplished the first 4 weeks and I am pleased with the little progress I have made. However, I have been disappointed because no matter my intake, workout, (my workouts are VERY INTENSE and always changing..I have never worked so hard in my life!) etc....my metabolism is too fast to make any significant gains like Anthony Ellis. As for the book, it's great! But there is a reason you don't see any (1 or 2) skinny people in the before photos. Bill's plan does not work for super high metabolisms like mine. Working out simply raises my metabolism and I cannot bear to eat any more food....it's making me sick. So, if you are super skinny and metabolic like myself, follow the wonderful nutrition and exercise routine, but don't use myoplex. It simply doesn't have enough calories and there are better products (better tasting and aspartame free too) for us beanpoles. I have started using a GNC labeled weight gain powder instead and it appears to be working! I have gained 5 lbs in ONE WEEK...and it isn't fat! To recap--I think Bill is a great guy, his principles are sound, and this book is very effective and motivational. But if you find yourself unable to bulk up due to hyper-metabolism, don't sweat the contest. Just follow his plan and use a higher calorie shake mix. I feel and look great, and I'm happy to see some muscles on this toothpick frame. I recommend the book and will continue to use Bill's principles but I'll leave out the Myoplex. I hope this helps some of you skinnies out there looking for answers.
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Summary: Love the book, easy to read, and very motivational!!!
Review: I read the book completely and read over different parts several times to be sure I'm doing everything correctly. I started the program this past Monday(927). So far I love it and seems almost too good to be true. Being a mother of 2, sometimes find it hard to eat right. With this program you really never get hungry so therefore, my cravings aren't there and my mind stays focused. I'm very excited to see my results in 12 weeks, I just hope they are as dramatic as the ones in the book. My determination is incredible!!! My only concern is that I'm not using the Myoplex stuff. I just hope that doesn't play too huge of a role in the program!!!
Rating:
Summary: If your serious about life this is a must read
Review: This book has changed my life, why not let it change your life. The system is EASY, and defined in a way that anybody can follow it. This book is about life, and not about 'lifting weights'.
Rating:
Summary: This is an awesome program.
Review: Well when I picked up this book a few days ago, I was first a little skeptical but interested enough to buy the book. I took it home the first day and it felt as though Bill knew exactly what I was going through. Some people may not agree with his message or his mission, but this is America and they certainly have a right to their opinion, but hey this guy is helping us through education to get fit and I really trust that this program will work. TRUST. A little word, but it takes committment to put it into action. Those who want to do it great...Those who don't that's your choice too..just don't try to steal someone else's dream by not fufilling yours. I've used free weights on my own and received compliments on losing inches..before I bought the book, so I know weight training is the key. This book can catapult us into fitness by educating us on what we need to do. Thanks Bill and Mike!
Rating: 
Summary: A good try, but not enough...
Review: I did not read Bill's book because I needed to lose weight and get in shape. I bought and read it to see what all the fuss was about. First, I want to commend Bill on his quest to get people into shape. His monetary support for the Make a Wish Foundation is very a very noble act as well. I have to state, however, as a Personal Trainer, I have quite a few problems with how the book presents information. In some cases I think the advice being given is questionable, and in a few instances the information is just plain wrong. I am only going to give a couple of examples because there is not enough room to present everything. Bill mentions in the diet section that yogurt qualifies as a carbohydrate. Yogurt is NOT a carbohydrate. It is a protein source. The best quality protein comes from animal sources. Yogurt is an animal source protein. The only time carbohydrates are associated with yogurt is when fruit and sugar are added. At that point the yogurt becomes something that weight loss enthusiasts MUST avoid because it contributes to weight gain. Bill advocates using artificial sweeteners like Aspartame to replace sugar. This is very highly questionable advice coming from someone who is supposed to be a health expert. For me to make the statement that Aspartame is dangerous to your health would not be doing you any favors. Instead, I suggest you get "Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Is It Safe?" by H.J.Roberts. Read this book and you will swear off Aspartame for the rest of your life, and be healthier for it. Bill's discussion of diet is sadly lacking in information. In fact the section on diet is only 17 pages out of a 200 page book. I think that a lot of important information was left out on such a crucial area of weight loss. While I believe that motivation is essential to success in the weight loss game, I have to say that a lot of the stuff Bill is talking about is fluffy filler. He is right in attempting to get the reader pumped up and motivated enough to take on the program, but his motivational techniques are not empowering, and therefore are not easily sustainable. There are much more powerful motivational techniques out there that lead to permanent success. In the end, I would have a difficult time recommending this book because it does not give enough viable information to empower the reader.
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Summary: What a great body-shock to get me moving!
Review: I love fitness books. I think this one particularly beneficial because, frankly, it's realistic. We're not all trying to compete. Also, it focused on not just your body but also the importance of the mind in this whole healthy process. The quotation book "Timeless Wisdom" is also a great book to help get your thoughts in shape... the first step in attaining any goal.
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Summary: The most motivational fitness book I've ever read.
Review: This book is the most motivational fitness book I've ever read and I've had the opprotunity to read over twenty titles dealing with fitness over the years. Being a retired powerlifter, this book actually motivated me to get off my lazy behind and start the program listed inside. Since being on it I've already noticed changes in energy level as well as positive physical changes.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing new but motivational
Review: I do agree with others that there is nothing new in this book, especially for those with bodybuilding experience. Still, there is something here to motivate the average person looking to get fit. What others have characterized as advertising for EAS supplements, (a page or so where it is suggested) I took as merely a suggestion (one that I personally would ignore). All and all it was just as good as anything else out there (not magic, but what is?) and worth reading. And, I highly recommend the video, which is free and very motivational after the first 10 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: Motivational and Inspirational!
Review: In my opinion there isn't a better guide to physical fitness than this book. The techniques are simple and are easy to follow for everyone. Most likely, most people will stick with the author's suggestions as they aren't as burdensome like so many other physical fitness programs. His nutritional suggestions are okay too, aside from the recommended nutritional supplements as I'm not so hot on those. Even though the book is motivational and inspirational it didn't do too much for my mental health. And especially for spiritual fitness and comfort, and for a boost to your self-esteem, I highly recommend Dietmar Scherf's book "I Love Me: Avoiding & Overcoming Depression"--also sold at Amazon.
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