Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

I started the Bob Greene plan February 14th and since then have lost 30 pounds. I just decided 'What do I have to lose, its only 12 weeks of my life?'. At the very least, even if I didn't lose weight, with all the exercise I'd be doing, I'd have more stamina and muscle. Little did I know the changes that would happen as a result of this program. Within just 4 weeks, I could already see huge changes in my body and my energy level. I never really found Bob's plan to be all that difficult, either. The hardest part is setting time aside for yourself each day. I highly reccomend this book for anyone wanting to make a sincere change in their life, and are just needing the know-how. The success stories throughout the book were a motivating factor for me. After reading how far some of those people came, you start to realize that maybe you, too, can do it. The payoff? There's nothing like the unsolicited comment 'Have you lost weight?'.

Bob Greene is the mastermind behind Oprah's new body. Oprah looks positively stunning, glowing, and toned these days, and I wanted to achieve that same glow. If Oprah, possibly the most successful woman in the world, can take time out of her day and do this workout, then I certainly don't have any excuse not to work out. Granted, she can afford a personal trainer, cook, etc., but she still has to get off her butt and do the workouts!
If you are willing to put in the time and energy it takes, then this book is no-fail. The lack of a strict diet is extremely refreshing for me. I am actually not as hungry as I was on typical diets -- I think it may just be the psychology of not being on a diet. The workouts take dedication, but personally I would rather work out for an hour and a half a day than constantly think about food and worry about every morsel I put into my mouth for sixteen hours out of the day. I have read just about every diet book out there (just ask my husband who is growing tired of me bringing home book after book and then giving up after a short time). Someone else here recommended "Flip the Switch" so I ran out and bought that one but it did not motivate me in the least. Other books may tell you what you want to hear ("lose belly fat first!") but Bob's method is one of the few that is geared towards a permanently healthier you not just a temporarily skinnier you.

Most reviewers either gush or bash. Bash was our first instinct, but that wouldn't be fair or useful. Let me explain... Total Body Makeover is another widely promoted health and fitness book my wife and I had on our list to read this summer (see all my reviews). The process we go through is to read it, try out a few of its ideas for a while, then read it again. On the first pass we both recoiled. The primary vehicle the author uses to communicate with his readers is to make emotional connections, not by providing actual information. (Much like the BFL for Women book). It relies heavily on third party client stories to get the page count up to sellable form. By the time you get to "Renee's Story" towards the end, you may either be asleep or tearing the pages out -- and that would be a shame, as the last 23 pages are quite useful. At the end of the book are 10 concise and informative comparative reviews of the most popular diet programs. You might be able to find the same info on the Internet for free but we've not come across one before so comprehensive and unbiased. Could be very helpful for someone weighing diet alternatives (honest... that was not an intended pun, it just slipped out :)

Not all readers are the same of course and some people may respond well to the book's Oprah-fluff. If you strip it out you're left with a rather serious proposition: Is your health and fitness situation dire enough, are you upset enough, are you serious about it enough, are you committed enough to spend 2 hours every day working out, plus spend the extra time it takes to plan, modify, and follow through on a new diet routine?

The program esposed is a wolf in sheep's clothing and the book's title is apt. It really is "total body makeover" at its core. From our several week trials, very few people are going to be able to follow through with the program on their own for logistical and time management reasons. Those few that do will benefit. Preventing back-sliding after the 12 week "boot camp" is also a very real challenge. The author addresses this topic, but in our experience all the get-fit-quick programs suffer high rates of back-sliding. That this program's pedegree is celebrity-trainer based is obvious to us.

So where does the book end up in our stack? It's more useful than BFL for Women. Not as helpful to the masses as the original BFL. The only book that stands out from the crowd so far is Avery Hunicutt's Joe X. (We practice the Joe X routine now and so impressed with the book we're going to go back and re-review it at some point. We didn't give it near enough credit the first time around. But next up: we'll be reviewing Harley Pasternak's 5-Factor Fitness, another of the heavily promoted books.)

I read this book thoroughly and followed it for a week. I did drop a pound the first week based mainly on exercise.

Bob Greene has a good solid workout program and provides you with good tips on evaluating your eating. I feel, however, that this is more of an exercise book than a nutrition "diet" book.

I personally need more structure in an eating plan than he provides. I was glad to see him providing evaluations of some of the leading diet plans at the back.

This is a great starting place for those learning to exercise and will actually be acceptable for those of us who have been exercising as you can chose the intermediate level and build on your strength and endurance each week.

This is simply a good solid resource.

People who bash this book without even trying the exercise programs obviously think that writing a five-page tirade against Bob Greene burns more calories than getting off their behind and actually working out. I have been on this incredible program for 9 weeks now and have lost 13 pounds and dropped 2 dress sizes. I have never been in this good of shape. Previously, I had suffered from constant, debilitating headaches, which are gone now. I am so tired of people complaining and whining. Permanent weight loss involves WORK though exercise. The "endless" number of exercises only takes me 15-30 minutes a day, in addition to aerobics. And, once again, to the reviewer who thinks that you cannot lose weight without dieting, I did not restrict my calories at all except for Bob Greene's simple rules, but still lost weight and gained muscle. What a shock! Next time, if you are going to review an exercise book that you haven't the willpower to actually try yourself, you would be better off burning calories by rubbing your two brain cells together to make a fire.

I read this book in 1 day and believe it to be a very effective, no frills, just hard work and dedication, way to lose weight. The entire text is very easy to read and understand. There is no guess work as far as what you need to do and how you go about accomplishing it. If you're looking for a quick, easy way to transform your body in 12 weeks, this book is not for you. However, if you are like me, and have decided that once and for all you are going to lose weight and get in the best shape of your life, by all means pick up this book. As far as the eating plan goes, there are only 5 guidelines Mr. Greene asks you to abide by. For me, this is quite refreshing because I have tried everything from giving up carbs to counting points, and it has been nothing but cumbersome. Most people know how to eat sensibly, and in order to comply with the vigorous exercise program that is detailed in the book step by step, you need to eat a fair amount or you simply will not have the energy to sustain the workouts. It is not necessary to starve yourself or count every calorie you put in your mouth as long as you are following the exercise program outlined in this book. Yes, it will be a challenge for me to exercise 6 days a week for 12 weeks, and if that is something you feel is out of your realm, than a more formal diet would probably be a better choice. The personal stories of triumph in this book are very inspiring, not to mention the before and after pictures. Really this is something all of us are capable of if we just make exercise a priority instead of coming up with a million excuses why we're so busy we can't fit it into our lives on a regular basis.

I couldn't put it down-it was a great motivator, and gave me that final push to get started! Bob went through the much-needed basics, reminded me that I am ulitmately in charge of my body, and used some great testimonials to show us all that it can be done. I have read most of his other books, and I felt like this book is one of his best so far-with lots of tips and pictures. It is a tough program, but I am in the 6th week and doing great with results. IF you are ready to make the commitment to change, this book will take you to the next level. I also recommend as a follow up, "Keep the Connection," by Bob Greene.