Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover: An Accelerated Program of Exercise and Nutrition for Maximum Results in Minimum Time (Hardcover)

by Bob Greene (Author) "MOST PEOPLE POISED TO embark upon a 12-week body makeover program will begin by thinking about, and maybe even worrying about, how they're going to..." (more)
Key Phrases: performing multiple sets, simple eating rules, total body makeover, Basic Crunches, Incline Sit-Up, Dumbbell Fly (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Fitness is a lifetime commitment, but you can accelerate results and transform your body in 12 weeks, says Bob Greene, best known as Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer. Not for the "move a little" crowd, this program is intense and challenging, whatever your starting level. "It's a bit like boot camp," Greene acknowledges. You'll do vigorous aerobic exercise 15 (beginning level), 30 (intermediates), or 45 (advanced) minutes 6 days a week, and increase 2 minutes each week--and double your usual minutes for one workout a week. You'll also strength train with dumbbells or machines and do functional training (strengthening stabilizing muscles).

The eating plan is not a diet--rather Greene describes 5 eating rules to help you eat fewer and burn more calories: curb emotional eating, eat breakfast, establish an eating cut-off time, drink lots of water, and limit alcohol. You'll get enough calories to sustain your intense exercise routine, but cut out the calories otherwise stored as fat.

Greene, author of Get With the Program and Make the Connection, also analyzes popular diets, and fills the book with motivational stories of his successful clients. Recommended for those who are ready to commit to an intense program to burn fat, increase metabolism, and change habits for the long haul. --Joan Price

Amazon.com Exclusive Content

Special Interview with Bob Greene
Not for the "move a little" crowd, Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover promises "Maximum Results in Minimum Time" to readers who are ready to commit to an intense exercise regimen during this twelve-week program. Sounds simple enough--but it wouldn't do the book justice to oversimplify its premise. Greene's genuine attachment to address the root causes for poor eating and activity habits, and to guide the reader through building the strong emotional foundation necessary to undergo physical changes, make Total Body Makeover a standout companion to transforming your body, inside and out. Amazon.com editor Nathalie Farage recently caught up with Greene. Read on.

Product Description
From Bob Greene, bestselling author of Get With the Program!, comes a comprehensive, innovative twelve-week plan for transforming your body inside and out. With Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover, you'll achieve maximum results in a minimum amount of time!

Knowing that great health and fitness begin with the right state of mind, Greene addresses the important emotional issues behind poor exercise and eating patterns and provides the motivational tools needed to achieve your fitness goals, as well as develop practical and beneficial habits for lasting results. You'll be inspired and moved by reading the compelling true-life success stories of real people who have taken the challenge and who have changed their bodies -- and lives -- in ways they never dreamed possible! Whether you're struggling to lose that last ten pounds or searching for a radical weight-loss solution, the twelve-week makeover challenge is the answer to your fitness goals.

After committing to the program, you'll find illustrated step-by-step workout guides for all fitness levels, combining progressive cardiovascular and intensive strength training exercises designed to revitalize your metabolism and get noticeable results fast. Each of the accelerated workouts has been created to energize and invigorate your body and mind while you have fun and trim down in the process! In addition, Greene takes a fresh approach to the question of diets by providing key nutritional guidelines that work in conjunction with any healthy eating plan, and he explains many of the popular diets on the market today to help you choose the one that's right for you.

Finally, there is helpful advice on making the transition back to your everyday life: how to avoid regaining the weight you've lost, and how to maintain healthy exercise and eating habits for life. While many books leave you wondering what to do next, Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover offers enthusiastic and informative hands-on advice and tips beyond eating and exercise, and teaches you how to make your own happiness and well-being the foundation of an active and healthy life.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (December 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743254058
• ISBN-13: 978-0743254052
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,325 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

268 of 274 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The hard truth is...it's not easy to lose weight!, February 16, 2005

By	lover of books - See all my reviews

I work in a bookstore, and I had an advance copy of this book a few months ago. Anyone who watched Oprah's show on Monday probably heard her say that "if there was a magic pill", she would have bought it and handed it out as one of her favorite things. The truth is, there isn't a magic ANYTHING involving losing weight. I have tried everything...Atkins, Perricone, South Beach and most recently, I adopted a few of the rules from "French Women Don't Get Fat." However, I have lost my last stubborn 15 pounds by SWEATING IT OUT in the gym or on my treadmill almost every day. I don't like to work out...but this book inspired me to make it a part of my daily routine, like brushing my teeth. I even enjoy taking my dog for long walks now (he, too, looks terrific)! Give yourself at least 30 minutes a day and cut out the "white stuff," like Bob Greene says, and you will see an amazing change in yourself like I did.

It's not easy. I cheat on the diet a lot (but I'm still eating a LOT less sugar and bread than I used to), and some days I curse Bob Greene for making me sign a contract with myself. I love his rule of not eating 3 hours before bedtime (this was my worst crime before).

If you are looking for a great staple exercise program (love the stretches) and motivation, this is for you. If you are looking to find an easy, quick path to weight loss...this book is not for you, and you are likely to be disappointed in the long run. It took me 2.5 months to lose 14 pounds, which is slow and safe. I see muscles I haven't seen in years.

This book changed my life--give it a chance.

108 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Got me off the sofa, December 30, 2004

By	Sarita (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

I have read all of Greene's books and have really appreciated them. This one, however, inspired me more than any of the others. In particular, I recognized myself in the section he has on excuses one uses to not exercise and not adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Tough love, but it really resonated with me. I am now on the second week of the program and feel much better. Some small quibbles: I wish alternate strength exercises were mentioned (it's best to mix up exercises for any given body part). Also, the website he mentions for www.totalbodymakeover.com appears to not be up and running yet. Overall, highly recommended. Especially for those who know what to do but have an extremely difficult time making themselves do it!

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seasoned exerciser finally loses weight!, July 9, 2005

By	Secret Squirrel (Vancouver) - See all my reviews

I have always worked out - and always been annoyed that my friends who didn't were thinner than me. I figured that I must just have bad genetics. But I was wrong!

When I started this program I learned two things: 1) I was going to hard on my cardio (which meant I was doing less time, injurying myself, and skipping days because I was too tired); and 2) too easy on my weight training (as I had believed light weights with lots of reps was the way to go).

The first two weeks were a bit hard - now I feel great and I honestly don't think I have looked this healthy (and yes, thin) in years. I cannot reccommend this program enough -- yes, the cover is corny and loud...but if you want to get in better shape fast -- this is the way to go!

Also -- I would encourage those who are interested to get a heart rate monitor -- along with the book, my Polar HR monitor has completely transformed the way I exercise and my body as well!