Rating: 
Summary: A Basic Program That Works
Review: I have been a reader of Muscle Media Magazine for over a year now. I have also read other publications from Bill Phillips as well and have lost a lot of body fat and gained muscle using the techniques from his publications. I have taken part in a past challange and am currently in the 2000 Challange. I have learned a lot about fitness from Bill Phillips.This book lays down the foundation for a simple fitness plan which works if the reader is willing to think right, eat right, and exercise. The Nutrition-For-Life method of food consumption is the simplest food plan I have ever used. I have always struggled with over-eating and dieting. This plan teaches how to eat six balanced and healthy meals a day. No deprevation. However, the book leaves me a bit confused about the "Free Day". I wish the "Free Day" was discussed a bit more. In any case, this book has taught me how to eat properly for the first time in my life. No special diet foods... just six balanced protein and carbohydrate proportioned meals. It is very easy. The only problem I have with the book is that the weight training method is difficult to comply with when using a commercial gym. The method requires that one excercise be imediatly followed by a second excercise for the same body part on the last set, with no rest time. When working out at a busy gym like I do, it is almost impossible to get from one excercise station to another, find the equipment you need being available, and do the last set without having to wait for the person currently using it to finish. Another concern I have is that some of the theories and techniques in this book challange the theories and techniques previously promoted in Muscle Media magazine and the Roger Applewhite Personal Trainer Handbook, which are also published by Bill Phillips. This fact has left me wondering which techniques Bill Phillips has published are actually the best. Do the techniques in this book void the techniques Bill has previously prommoted? Regardless, I think this is a good book and Bill Phillips is the modern Jack LaLane. I use EAS supplements, as well as other brands. Myoplex is not required for the program, but it makes eating six meals a day easier for the beginner. I rarely use a meal replacement powder, but when I do, I have been very satisfied with Myoplex. I often eat a 40-30-30 Bar (ie. Balance) with a scoop of whey protein powder mixed with water as a quick and easy meal in place of a Myoplex. Some of the reviews here on Amazon say that the book says you have to drink Myoplex. This is not true. The book only recomends Myoplex as a tool to make eating six meals a day easier. This book, along with the other tools Bill Phillips makes available such as Muscle Media Magazine and the Body Of Work video make getting in shape a very real possibility for everybody. Although not everyone will look like a Muscle Media cover model, if we are willing to put in the effort and stay committed, we can acheive the best bodies we are capable of acheiving.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth every penny!
Review: I have been a follower of Bill Phillips for quite awhile, and I was expecting a quality book from him since everything his company produces is quality. This book is everything I had expected. I am on week four of the program, and I have lost eight pounds of body fat and gained two pounds of muscle. I feel great, and I'm usually hungry every three hours now but instead of eating huge meals, I eat small meals to satisfy the hunger. I now see why I didn't change my physique much through working out in the years before, but now I am finally making good progress. I am so much more productive in every area of my life too. This will help me forever! I can't see how this wouldn't work for anyone who is determined to follow the plan and change their life. It takes work to change, but the book helps to take some of the thinking out of the process so you can focus strictly on the work portion.
Rating:
Summary: A challenge for all to take!
Review: My wife and I, and all her family did the Body of Work challenge last year. For all the skeptics out there, we all experienced incredible results. In 12 weeks, I lost 18 pounds of fat and gained 9 pounds of muscle, reducing my bodyfat percentage from 18% to 6%. Bill Phillips knows what he is talking about. Sure he is a business man, and yes he does want to sell his EAS products. Why not? That's good business sense, and his products ARE AWESOME. But he is interested in helping and motivating people, and he is honest and sincere. This book shows all these things. All the proceeds from this book go to his favorite charity, Make-A -Wish Foundation which so far has passed the 1$ million dollar mark. That's much more than can be said for other supplement companies. As for one reviewer saying it is not good for vegetarians, HOGWASH. My wife and her whole family are vegetarian. All the protein from food (in addition to our whey protein shakes),we obtained through soy protein. It worked just as well. Take the challenge! Improve your life! You'll be glad you did!
Rating:
Summary: This stuff WORKS!
Review: Not only does Bill Phillips give you the HOW and WHY to be successful in a weight loss program - he gives you the WHEN. If you follow his program faithfully, and with dedication, it works. My wife and I are three weeks into the program, and I have already lost 10 pounds, and her figure is looking hard and fit (she was better off to start with...). After putting on 30 pounds over the last three years while I completed my MBA, I thought that I would never get my shape and general fitness back... We have been faithfully using the workout schedule and following the diet, and are beginning to reap the results. It's kind of expensive to purchase the Myoplex and other supplements, but the results are worth it! Not only does Phillips concentrate on the OUTWARD improvement, he discusses the INTERNAL improvement and motivational techniques as well. For a well rounded program, this one is IT!
Rating:
Summary: Great for both beginners and the experienced
Review: Body for Life provides a well structured and balanced program that is great for both beginners and experienced trainers. The nutrition plan involves eating relatively small, balanced meals throughout the day, but does not require calorie counting or other "tracking" techniques that can become frustrating and feel controlling. The exercise side of the program involves regular weight training and cardio exercise. Again, nothing that requires a ridiculous time commitment and can be pretty easily integrated into your daily routine. I have been lifting for years and found the planning recommendations (plan your meals and exercise ahead of time) a great addition to my routine. Writing everything down ahead of time forces me to think about how to structure my day and still integrate good nutrition and exercise. As I said, this book also has a lot to offer experienced trainiers. In particular I was referring to the planning mentioned above, but it also provides another training split that is worth trying if you are looking for some variety in your program. In just a few weeks of doing this I have already seen my bodyfat drop -- mainly because cardio is now planned into my routine. However, I should also say that for experienced trainers, much of the key information in this book can be obtained from the Body for Life website and some of the articles that appeared in Muscle Media. Several other reviews have suggested this book is nothing more than a supplement ad and is heavily dependent on supplements. This is just not true. The book does suggest the use of supplements on a couple pages, but does not say they are required for the program and doesn't try to push them throughout the book. This is something you can complete eating standard foods -- no shakes, powders or pills required. If there is a downside it is that the book lacks direction on where to go after the initial 12 weeks. Sure, you can continue on the program and perhaps modify it a little to keep things interesting, but it doesn't address what do you if you are really interested in building muscle (or whatever your goal is). It is fair to say this book isn't the proper place for such things, but it would be nice if it provided some initial information and guidance in these areas.
Rating:
Summary: This book will change your life!
Review: I bought Body-for-Life just before Christmas. I started the program on 1/3 and have already had great success in just three weeks. I've lost 8lbs of fat in 3 weeks, my clothes are all getting way too big and my strength and energy have gone through the roof. The book is amazing. It provides all the exercise, nutritional and supplementation that you need to be successful. Plus there is lots of good advice on how to create a strategy that will keep your focussed and make sure that you maintain momentum for the long-haul not just a few days or weeks. It's well written and explains things in a simple and straighforward way. People can write reviews that whine about how he recommends supplementation but unless they try it they will not really understand the results. I was sceptical too but I gave it a shot. My belief is that the supplements help alot - they're just another tool in your arsenal for success and I feel sorry for the closed minded people who think they know better. I'd like to see their bodies compared to Bill's or others who follow his program to the letter. This is a wonderful book. It will help you change your body and your life if you let it.
Rating:
Summary: Body for Life
Review: Week two with the Body for Life program. I feel great! Very easy to follow, low cost & you do not need a lot of time, just determination! I'm never hungry, no cravings, my only problem, I can't seem to eat the 6 meals a day they recommend, because I am just not hungry. I do suggest the Myloplex when doing the program! The pictures before/after are a great motivator for me. My only regret, I wish I knew about it last year!
Rating: 
Summary: The diet depends on supplements and is not for vegetarians.
Review: I read many of the reviews before I purchased the book but have decided to return the book because you do need the supplements to make the diet work. I'd say having 3 shakes a day for 12 weeks is a big part of the program! Also, this is not a diet for vegetarians.
Rating:
Summary: Keeping it Simple
Review: I've been working out for years and haven't seen that much of a difference in my body. Only that in 10 years since graduating college, I had put on about 20 pounds, mainly body fat. Since reading Body for Life 3 months ago, I've put on nothing but muscle and have taken 3 inches off the waste. Down about 16 pounds total. The funny thing is I'm working out less and eating more. Mr. Phillips makes it easy to understand why this is possible. Book is in plain English, no double talk. Best $ I've spent in years.
Rating:
Summary: Two Weeks and Counting
Review: I bought this book in December 1999, right after having a cervical disketomy where they replaced two ruptured discs in my neck with a bone graft from my hip. I told myself, that as soon as I felt up to working out, I would start this program. Three weeks after my surgery, I started working out and eating better using the guidelines in the Body for Life book. After two weeks on the program, I have lost 8 lbs. and am feeling great! Now, mind you... I have to work out with a neck brace on and have had to work around my injury as not to damage the work that the doctor did in December. But to date, I have had no problems... So, if I can do it, even with a neck brace on, then anyone can do it. I recommend this book for ANYONE, even persons with disabilities or obstacles to overcome! This book has the guidelines for anyone to successfully start a healthier lifestyle.
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