Part 1 of the book (74 pages) describes how modern society has trained us to eat incorrectly and how a few simple changes can turn weight gain into weight loss. There are chapters on Myth vs. Fact (that covers common misconceptions), and specifics on the four-part formula for eating right (the right foods, right amounts, the right combos, the right times). The chapter where the author describes his own experiences is the weakest (in spots it contradicts the earlier chapters and it has an overly-conversational style), but it does contain a few additional insights.

I am finding the eating guidelines very effective because they are sustainable--I don't really feel like I am dieting and believe I am adopting new ways of eating that I can use indefinitely. It's much easier to follow than other diet plans that require counting or buying specific foods. I get the sense that as long as I follow the principles, rather than having to be exact, I'll end up with great results without all the stress. I've lost eleven pounds since reading book and following its guidance (3 weeks).

Part 2 contains 248 pages of full color recipes that follow the guidelines of Part 1. It breaks down the recipes by meals with dinners followed by desserts, breakfasts, lunches, midmeals, and nutrition shakes. What really makes this stand out for me is that there are very few recipes I'm not interested in trying. These are practical, mostly easy to make (there are a few exceptions), and very tasty. It has plenty of creative ideas and successfully finds ways to make each dish interesting. The recipes have a few other unique features: each section has a variety of meals that serve differing numbers of people, so it's easy to find a ready-made idea for yourself for lunch or for a family of four for dinner (of course, they can all be adjusted to meet the necessary number of servings). In my experiences so far, the photos with each recipe are faithful to the actual result. Many of the recipes also include a photo of the actual ingredients required, which is an easy way to know at a glance whether everything needed is already on hand. Several of the desserts and most of the nutrition shakes call for Myoplex Lite, the nutrition powder sold by the author's company, but presumably any comparable supplement could be used.

The end of Part 2 includes sample meal plan charts, blank plan charts, and grocery lists. These items can be downloaded from the web site and printed by owners of the book.

The appendix contains stories and photos of people who have had amazing success with the Body for Life program (which this book could be considered an extension of). It's interesting to look over those case studies but some of them are actually a bit frightening. I think most of us are looking for more moderate success. There are also typical sections including a glossary, descriptions and photos of kitchen utensils, and conversion charts.

I have been very pleased with the book and look forward to making many more of the included recipes. ( )