Bill Phillips (1) (1964–)

I was never overweight until I hit my teens--then I struggled for decades with an increasing weight problem that got worse with every diet. I'd collect diets and diet books, Scarsdale, Rice Diet among others, all promising 20 pounds of weight loss within two weeks--and you know what, I succeeded in that. Problem was, that was a weight loss I couldn't sustain, not even long enough to get to goal weight and each time I'd fall away I'd get even fatter, until I was morbidly obese--over 250 show more pounds and a size 24.

Maybe it's just I needed to change, but this book really made a big difference for me. I lost over 100 pounds. Over the years I've put some of it back--I had a bout of sciatica that caused me to stop hitting the gym and once I broke that habit I lost some of the good eating habits too--but only to a point. I didn't ever go back to my top weight--not even close. This stopped the yo-yo-ing and I'm well below 200 pounds--overweight, but not with the problems before this taught me to at least walk every day, use stairs, and eat somewhat healthier.

And I know if I want, I could lose the rest again using this program. I'm not saying it's easy. The first two weeks of exercise were really hard for me. But I remember when I saw my first muscle, began to feel better and stronger. It is doable. Even for someone like me who is far from athletic. And I liked how it doesn't focus on calorie counting or weighing and measuring. You get a list of healthy foods, then a meal consists of a fist-sized portion of protein, a fist-sized portion of grains/carbs and lots of veggies. I find that a lot easier to live with than a program like Weight-Watchers. show less

This book is set up like a compilation of magazine articles that come out of "Men's Health." It is chock full of tips and strategies to enhance self improvement, something we could all use a dose of. As my detractors snicker, speak for yourself (LOL). Everything from health to money, soup, to nuts is covered in a format that can be overloading but never dull. Anyone who implements all of these plans will be set for life or at least certainly occupied in the process.

This is what got me started back into lifting weights again after an 18 year hiatus. I think the program as written -- little food -- especially fat and crazy volumes of exercise could be too much. Of course I did the program with much more fat and traded the intervals for steady state aerobic. And as a newbie (revirginated?) enjoyed spectacular results. The motivation in the plan is great. And the whole idea of making and keeping a 12 week promise to yourself is unbelievably empowering.

I was never overweight until I hit my teens--then I struggled for decades with an increasing weight problem that got worse with every diet. I'd collect diets and diet books, Scarsdale, Rice Diet among others, all promising 20 pounds of weight loss within two weeks--and you know what, I succeeded in that. Problem was, that was a weight loss I couldn't sustain, not even long enough to get to goal weight and each time I'd fall away I'd get even fatter. Body for Life, the parent book, made a big show more difference for me. I lost over 100 pounds. Over the years I've put some of it back--but I didn't ever go back to my top weight--not even close. This stopped the yo-yo-ing.

I liked how the diet portion doesn't focus on calorie counting or weighing and measuring. You get a list of healthy foods, then a meal consists of a fist-sized portion of protein, a fist-sized portion of grains/carbs and lots of veggies. I find that a lot easier to live with than a program like Weight-Watchers. That book, and the program recommended isn't just about food though, but exercise. So this book really is a supplement--but a useful one. A cookbook filled with healthy, tasty, and easy to make meals that are practical for someone with a busy working life and Meal Plans and Grocery Lists that help you put it all together. show less