Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength

Whether you're a guy or gal, you need this book! I don't like to work out. Never have. I've done it and do it because I have to if I want to keep in shape. But I just can not get motivated on my own--you either love to work out or you don't. BODY FOR LIFE is one of THE BEST programs I've discovered and I've tried everything from Scarsdale Diet, the Cabbage Diet, Akins Diet to South Beach Diet. Bill Philips program single handedly helped kick start my fitness post childbirth 6 years ago. It's a 12 week program that includes smart, easy to follow eating for men and women AND it includes easy to follow VERY EFFECTIVE work out plans. The best part of the book is the motivation and inspiration it offers with story after story of successful clients. He has a website site for support and usually a contest where you can win money if you stick with the program--a lot of money [...]. Truth is, I've slacked off in the last few months and just passed by this book on my shelf. I'm picking it back up today to regain my motivation and getting my body back for summer! I already have personal proof it works so here I go again!

As a physician, I have taken people off hundreds of medicines thanks to Bill Phillips. Blood pressure medicines, cholesterol medicines, diabetes medicines, and pain medicines. I myself lost 6 sizes in six weeks and have keep it off for 3 years now. My before and after pictures are at least as impressive as the ones in his book. This is for the person that's really ready to go for it. It takes organization, but it works. It holds your hand through the process and teaches you about portions and being hungry in quite a simple way. Highly recommended. Also highly recommeded, Bill Phillips, Body for Life Journal and also his Eating For Life, receipe book.

A guide to exercise and working out that is perfect for those who exercise at home, and it's very user friendly.

UPDATE:

Exactly one year ago, I read Body for Life and Eating for Life and decided it couldn't hurt to try. I am 5'10" and have never had a problem with weight, and had never actually been on a diet; however, after 4 pregnancies, and not much excercise, I realized that I was going to need to go out and buy some size 14's to replace my 12's or do something different. Everyone said "You're so tall, you look great, you don't need to lose any weight", but I did need to get in shape. I was a size 5 when I married in 1993, and knew by body would never be the same (kids do that to you), but it could be better, so I started.
I went shopping last weekend and purchased size 4 jeans!!! I still don't think I am as small as I was when I was a 5. I think the designers have started to fudge on sizes, and the spandex they are adding to pants now helps folks to fit in smaller than you'd think sizes...but I am NOT complaining! I feel better, look better and proudly wore a bikini on the beach last summer.
The excercise plan was SO easy to start. I few dumbells and a super cheap weight bench from Wal-Mart made up my weight program and pounding the pavement or an $89 "Gazelle" on super cold/rainy days has been all the equipment I have used. No fancy gym for me. This allows me to be finished with my workout, before my kids even get out of bed.
The eating plan was the hardest at first. Not the menu or the foods or the measurement - that part's easy. It was SO HARD to eat 6 times a day, and I kept thinking I hadn't eaten enough when I was finished, but about 20 minutes later I forgot that I was still hungry. I managed to follow the plan FAITHFULLY (not even ONE "cheat) for about 8 months. Sometimes that meant sitting in a restaurant watching my family eat if it wasn't time for me to eat, which was a bummer, but it paid off. My "free days" were gorges, and just like to book said, I would feel so sick the next day. Now, if my family is eating and it's not quite time for me, I am not so rigid and will usually join them, and my "free days" aren't such gorgefests.
Overall, I have a healthier lifestyle and choose healthier foods than before the program. That's the best part, the weight loss is a bonus. I never in a million years would have thought I would go from busting out of a size 12 down to a 4!
Give it a try!


FIRST REVIEW:
The best part of this book is the planning pages for your exercises. It REALLY helps to keep track of what you've done and how much you have exerted yourself so you can keep trying to improve. It also helps to have a plan so you aren't wondering what you did last time or what you should do next. I have really increased my strength, stamina, and energy level over the last 8 weeks of following the program.

The reason I gave it a 4 was because if you are going to do all your workouts at home with free weights and a bench (which I do), your choices of exercises are limited. I would have liked to see more choices that don't need those fancy machines like they have at the gym.

PS. Check out Eating for Life as well. I didn't think it would ever work, but combined with this...it does!

Body for Life has changed thousands of people's lives and my own in just a few weeks. Sure you can use it to lose or you can use it to lose and keep it off by continuing on with this way of eating and exercising plus setting goals to improve you life along with your body. Just go for it!