Rating: 
Summary: It's a great idea but...
Review: I normally go to the gym at lunch time, and hate carrying stuff with me (I keep my workout clothes at the gym) so to take this book isn't too convenient. I prefer to take my excel worksheet (which I downloaded from their website) and carry only a piece of paper. However, I must admit,when you are in the middle of your challenge, it really helps to see a "before" picture that reminds you of yourself and to see the "after" picture. So it's a good a idea to have this journal that includes some very useful tips, but I can't help but think that now I have to carry a book instead than just a piece of paper.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential BFL Tool!
Review: I started my first Body-for-Life challenge on 1/6 and finished 3/29. This book was very important because I was able to keep track of my meals and workouts while reading the encouraging words of Bill Phillips as well as a successful transformation daily.The daily progress reports are VERY important for your success. The meals help you keep track of what you have ate so far (as well as planning), and you can review your previous workouts to better plan your next workout. Not to mention you can look back at how far you've come! BFL provides these sheets in the original book and their website, but having this all organized in this journal right in front of you with inspirational words from Bill makes it easier than printing out the pages everyday. I read half of the Transformations before I even started! They go into alot more detail than just looking around on the web...you can see how different beginning stats work for different people...and how many 12-week Challenges it may have taken *some* of them to get there. Plus, if you actually read his words, he offers you a little deal if you're unhappy ;) There will ALWAYS be anti-BFL people out there. All you have to do is look for the personal pages on the internet. Everyone knows the secret to losing weight: Exercise & Eating Right. Bill Phillips did not invent anything new, nor does he try to fool you into thinking so. He offers a structured program and mental encouragement towards realistic goals. If you actually read his book, follow his program, and track your hard work (like in this journal), you will look great in 12 weeks. I did, and I'm now in Challenge 2.
Rating: 
Summary: DON'T GET TOO EXCITED
Review: I was really excited for this book to come out but it is lacking a few things. First off there is little if ANY room to write any addition things in the book. (A blank note page here and there would be great!) Basically they have the same work out sheets, and food prep sheets as they do for free on the BFL website but instead here it's in color, oh yeah and you have to pay for it. They don't even have a sheet for your free days for you to write how you were feeling. (It goes days 1-6 8-13, ect.) I think they could've done a much better job. Bet hey I am going to try and use it anyways!
Rating: 
Summary: Good for the Disorganized BFL'ers
Review: I'm currently in the process of my second Body For Life challenge, and I really wish that this journal had been available for me the first time. I'll be honest - I am disorganized. I'm not talking mildly disorganized, I'm talking a complete mess. With the last challenge, my meal and workout progress was written on whatever scrap of paper I could find, and I eventually stopped writing it down altogether...bad idea!! Charting your progress is one of THE most important parts of the program...it ranks up there with eating and weight training. This book provides adequate space to keep up with your daily progress, as well as a few added bonuses that you can't get by downloading the pages....#1, it offers inspirational stories and photos of past winners every day. Nothing motivates me more than seeing someone who has been successful. The 2nd thing it offers is space to write down WHY you want to be successful on the program and what you'll do to help others after you succeed. These things put you in the winner's mindset, and help you tackle the emotional issues behind poor health habits. I'd definitely recommend this book to people entering their first challenge and who want every edge they can get, and also to the repeat challengers who just can't seem to stay organized without help. However, if organization and motivation is not an issue for you, then save your money and download the progress sheets from the Body For Life website.
Rating:
Summary: This stuff works!!
Review: Let me first start by saying that I did this program about 2 years back, and had *very* minimal results. I tried to follow everything Phillips advocated, but lost only a few pounds, and quit about 8 weeks into the program. I dismissed it as another sham. About 1 year ago my brother-in-law tried this program and said that it worked for him--he had a supposed 6-pack, etc. But since we were on different coasts, I never saw the results, and still remained skeptical. However, my cousin tried this same program 8 months ago--and he lives in proximity to me--and this is when I became a believer. He first entered the program at 187 lbs. and a 38" waist, 24 years old. At the end of week 6, I asked him how it was going and he said, "I hardly see any results..." After that, at the end of week 12--he had made dramatic strides, but still no 6-pack, etc. So he made some modifications and added another 4 weeks to the program--this is where the gravy is. End result== 177 lbs., 31" waist, and a 4-pack. Some of the modifications were, he cut carbs from meal #5 , didn't eat 3 shakes/bars every day, but 2---the third "snack/meal replacement" was a hamburger/turkey burger. Now, in my particular case, I am 30 years old, 5'8" (same as cousin),(was) 194 lbs., 38.5" waist, 220 cholesterol. I felt extremely tired in the shoulders (and no, not due to stress)--Felt miserable all the time. My feet were always sore from the weight, etc. So I began the program 5 weeks ago. Results so far: 176 lbs., waist 36.75", chol. = 177. I feel a lot stronger, a lot lighter--much of the weight has come off of my face so far. A couple of tips: it's very hard to run for 20 minutes in the beginning, and I simply could not finish the workout--heck, I still can't--I'm at the point where I can do 3 cycles (15 minutes)--and I walk the other 5 minutes. Make sure you make your food tasty (within reason) or you won't survive--sure for the 12 weeks you may, but good luck after that. In fact, my cousin, after completing the program, stopped for 2 months--but only gained 4 pounds. Here is a sample of what I do: 7 am-- workout for approx. 1 hour (dont eat for 1 hour after workout)
9 am-- bfast-- 5 eggs scrambled (4 whites + 1 whole) + v. little palm oil; 1 slice of fat-free cheese mixed in 10:30 -- bar 12 -- 1 can tuna w/ mustard, greens, 1 cup pasta w/ 1 tbsp. sauce 2:30 - shake or bar 5:30 - 1/4 lb. hamburger w/ 1 slice cheese + ketchup (no bread at all) 8:00 shake
(make sure you drink water all day--approx. 1 gallon)
If you are worried about the amount of sat. fat in the bars, take Lecithin to off-set it, or get guggle (goggle?) to raise HDL. It worked for me. Good luck all; I *don't* think you need a journal, just chart your weekly progress so you know how far you've come! If you can't or don't want to pay for the bars/shakes, replace with a hamburger or turkey burger. Make sure you make it large enough or you will lose muscle. I will post my end results in another review in about 2 months!
Rating:
Summary: This stuff works!!
Review: My fiance did one challenge of BFL while I was away at basic training, and since I've gotten back we've started on challenge number 2. He lost 40 pounds of fat in the first challenge and gained quite a bit of muscle mass (drool!). This journal helps you keep track of what you're doing exercise-wise each day, which in turn helps you keep to the program and meet your goals. My only complaint about the whole BFL program is the constant pressure by the journal and book to recruit your friends in to it. It has a "daily goal" of encouraging your friends to do BFL, or encouraging them while they're on it. I guess it's a marketing ploy to get more people to buy the books and journals. I do recommend the program to my friends, but I don't fill out that part of the journal every day. There are also some other parts of the journal that are tedious. I concentrate on filling out the parts dealing with exercise and food/water - and leave the other parts blank.
Rating:
Summary: Keeping records will help you meet your goal!
Review: My fiance did one challenge of BFL while I was away at basic training, and since I've gotten back we've started on challenge number 2. He lost 40 pounds of fat in the first challenge and gained quite a bit of muscle mass (drool!). This journal helps you keep track of what you're doing exercise-wise each day, which in turn helps you keep to the program and meet your goals. My only complaint about the whole BFL program is the constant pressure by the journal and book to recruit your friends in to it. It has a "daily goal" of encouraging your friends to do BFL, or encouraging them while they're on it. I guess it's a marketing ploy to get more people to buy the books and journals. I do recommend the program to my friends, but I don't fill out that part of the journal every day. There are also some other parts of the journal that are tedious. I concentrate on filling out the parts dealing with exercise and food/water - and leave the other parts blank.
Rating:
Summary: A nice companion to the book
Review: Or excellent as a stand alone book on fitness and nutrition. A must read for all the couch potatoes.
Rating:
Summary: Good for the BFL beginner
Review: Perfect for the BFL beginner. I REALLY wish this was a spiral book. It is just to bulky to drag around.
Please Bill, Make a spiral book with only the food and workout parts.
Rating:
Summary: A good partner for your BFL book
Review: Personally, I really like it. It has helped to keep me motivated and I like going back and reading my goals. I know a lot of people are giving it poor reviews saying that it's just like the BFL book but it's really not. Every day you write your goals and ways to achieve them for the next day. You plan out all of your meals and workouts all in this one journal. I like having my own personal journal where I can record everything rather than printing off a bunch of the sheets from my computer. This book is your "binder" in which you track it all - workouts, daily food intake, thoughts, etc. On most of the pages it's got a bunch of pictures of success stories and tips from Bill. I LIKE THAT! For me, every little bit helps. If I don't have to print off the daily sheets and can have it all in a book with tips, motivation from Bill and lots of pictures of past BFL success stories, then it's well worth the 25 bucks.
And as for the guy who gave the bad review who complained about the color of Bill Phillips' hair, OH PLEASE! I'm sure that the #1 concern of everyone trying to complete the BFL program is the current color of Bill's hair... AND just think, what if Bill actually did lighten his hair...horrors! I mean, it's not like he's human or anything.
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