Customer Reviews

Body Rx

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've been following the Body Rx program for 6 weeks now, and I've already lost over 2 inches from my waistline and added almost 1/2 inch of solid muscle to my upper arm measurement. I consider these results to be absolutely outstanding for a 43 year old male! When I first glanced through Boby Rx at the bookstore, it looked like a copycat of Body for Life by Bill Phillips. Although Body Rx is similar in styling and concept to Body for Life, I believe that Dr. Connelly's program is superior. I previously followed the Body for Life program (to the letter) and while I managed to lose 14 pounds in 12 weeks, 3 of those lost pounds were valuable muscle mass! With the Body Rx program I am now GAINING muscle mass while losing bodyfat. And I'm not spending a fortune on supplements either - a good protein powder is all you need. I highly recommed Dr. Connelly's program for anyone who's been disappointed with the results they've been getting on other programs. Just be sure to read it thoroughly and follow the program as outlined.

Dr. A. Scott Connelly is a tremendously respected medical doctor, metabolic specialist, personal trainer, and nutritional engineer. He was the first person to develop the now famous Meal Replacement Powder; it was, of course, Met-Rx. Met-Rx revolutionized human nutrition, especially for those involved in athletic endeavors. Its a potent high protein, moderate carb, and low fat super food. Its design was based on research Dr. Connelly did with 'wasting' patients. It was designed to give a person a flow of protiens and amino acids for a sustained period of time to prevent catabolism. It has done its job well, and I've used the product with tremendous success.
I was surprised that he did not push the product at all and only mentioned it by name a couple of times in the book, as opposed to another famous supplement "guru" who suggests three servings of his product everyday. Dr.Connelly knows what he's talking about. He's helped star athletes and average Joes get the body they've always wanted. Body Rx offers new insights into human nutrition and how the body handles nutrients. Dr. Connelly shows why the so called 'fat gene' is not the reason America is getting fatter; it's the processing of foods and the removal of vital fiber. He shows the relation between fructose intake and increasing belt sizes. He puts nutrition back where it should be; that is, as the main determinant as to how your body will look--significantly more important than exercise. This has been known for a long time but other diet experts have pushed aerobics and high-carb diets as the way to lose fat. Dr. Connelly explains lucidly why they are full of hot air, and why most of these so called experts would never want to be seen by others in a bathing suit.
The exercise aspect of the program is reasonable but still rigorous. You work out 4 times a week --the right way!--for about an hour each time. The workouts are intense, but not to the point where you'll burn out. It is the type of program I used to lose over 50 lbs(my program was actually from the Owner's Manual out of a package of Met-Rx). The essence of the program is based on Dr. Connelly's extensive knowledge of the human body and nutrition. It's based on one simple premise: build muscle and give the bill to fat. If you follow this program to its end, you will succeed!!! By the way, you will never, ever, ever, be hungry on this program. He gives a list of certain foods that you can eat until you are full and satisfied, and he never wants you to eat dull, tasteless meals. His suggestions are fantastic. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Body RX
Program is divided into 4 6-week cycles. 1 (get strong), 2 (get cut), 3 (lose fat), and 4 (maintenance).

Nutrition

Proteins and carbs are divided into GREEN (okay), YELLOW (controlled), and RED (no-no). GREEN carbs are veggies; YELLOW carbs are starchy veggies (beans), bread, pasta, etc.

6 small "meals"/day. 8 glasses water. 1 free day.

Shaping strategy to increase protein, decrease YELLOW carbs, and increase fiber. Goals are provided.

Weight training. Aerobics is optional. Author doesn't think aerobics do much.

4 days lifting. One area per day. 5 exercises per area. No rules on rest days.

Day 1: Chest & biceps
Day 2: Back & triceps
Day 3: Legs
Day 4: Shoulders & abs.

Shaping strategy increases sets, increases reps, and decreases rest times.

Bottomline: Both BodyRx and BFL are very similar with by-the-numbers programs for nutrition and exercise. BFL emphasizes motivation more while BodyRX emphasizes ramping up to protein and fiber goals. Both recommend supplements.

Neither offer highly detailed weightlifting 'how to,' sets training goals, women's specific concerns re pregnancy/menses, common medical conditions, common medical tests, shopping/cooking skills, or lots of recipes. I think medical testing is important because even lean marathon runners get heart attacks.

Both programs work. Both programs will have similar high failure rates because many folks are unwilling to save their lives at the cost of not having a double bacon cheeseburger.

If I had to pick one, I'd pick BFL since it is simpler. I learned from both.

Like some of the other reviewers, I was on the Body for Life Program, but I didn't see the results I hoped to see with all the hard work I put in for 15 weeks! I switched to Body Rx, and I am on a refreshing start. The nutrition part is absolutely easy. I am eating so much I am scared. Being a female starting out with 130 lbs and in fairly good shape, I find it hard to eat 260 grams of yellow carbs because I am used to following diets that cut out starchy carbs. I am enjoying bananas, rice, pasta, potatoes, carrots, popcorn, and all the other foods that diet gurus say weren't good for you. This is the beginning of my third week, and with the way I am eating, I thought I would have balooned up. Instead, I feel stronger, went down 2 pounds and my body feels tighter. I have so many questions though, and that is why I give the book four stars. In the book Dr. Connelly give a toll-free number to call,but it is not in service. I posted many of my questions to his website, but no answer. I am not worried about the protein amount, or fiber, but the carbs do bother me as I also eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and eating approximately 260 grams of additional carbs seems like a lot and I can't get it in sometimes. I can't wait for the sculting period because that's the amount of yellow carbs I am comfortable with. Also, I don't know that the once a week abs routine is enough, and what about the obliques?
But for all those of you who are skeptical,just give it a try. It is very simple, even the exercise routine. Before you know it, You have completed 5 exercises in the gym. Sometimes I have to force myself not to invent an exercise to add to the routine. When I leave, I feel a nice warm sensation all over, and I am sore the next two days, so I know I worked the muscle. I am following it to a "T" for now - no aerobics, and just four days of gym. I am a good size 8, but would like to be a six, or even a four (smile). I Think 6 months is a reasonable and believable time to get this accomplished. I will post my first 6week progess in November. Good Luck. Buy the book. This is doable and enjoyable.

Dr. Scott's program is not for the faint of heart. The program leans towards the bodybuilder's approach, in that it uses cycling of different phases (bulking/cutting/maintenance), so for the first 2 cycles you are mostly building strength and muscle rather than shedding fat. You are expected to eat far more food than you would on a normal diet, and most people actually feel a little "thicker" during C1 and only start seeing real results between the end of Cycle 2 and the middle of C3. Since many dieters are too short-sighted to see the long-term benefit in this, it may scare some people away. It requires a great deal of faith and forsight to believe that all this food consumption will result in fat loss, but believe it or not, it works like a charm! About 3/4 of the way into the program, the results start to show drastically (I guess that's why the author is a renound metabolic expert).

Since most diet books cator to the shortsighted "weekend dieters", this one is a rare find in that it really takes the time to do things right, by building you up first and setting the foundation for long-term results. For those few who are realistic enough to understand that no fitness model became that way in a weekend (or even 3 months for that matter), but are willing to work hard for 5 or 6 months for extreme results, this program is for you. (BTW, the latter phrase describes *the* one and only secret formula of the fitness cover-models that the suppliment companies don't want you to know about )

I really didn't expect to have any visible results during C1, mostly because I participated in a Body RX chat forum and knew what to expect. I'm now half-way through C2, and for the first time I'm really starting to see results. Today after my workout I happened to catch a glimse of myself in the locker room mirror, and had to do a double-take.

Cycle 3 is where the real fat-loss occurs, and I've heard so many positive accounts of people's C3 experiences, I'm really looking forward to that cycle.

Some people compare this program with Body For Life. To be honest, I've tried BFL and it actually took me longer to get results. BFL falls short by trying to convince you that you can gain muscle and lose fat all at the same time (which may work if you are new to strength training, but won't last long). Also, BFL doesn't fully explain your macronutrient requirements, but instead uses a more arbitrary "palm/fist" method which may lead to macronutrient deficiencies that can ultimately shortcircuit your success. While BFL may be a good place to start (actually, an even better place to start is Tom Venuto's "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle" online book at burnthefat.com), Body RX is almost like the next level.

Note that the 5 star rating is for the program, not so much for the book itself -- there are some misprints, and there are also some aspects of the program which are not well explained and can be interpreted in a multiple ways. Just to warn you ahead of time, the insane "yellow carb requirements" are actually only *upper limits*, so you are not required to eat all those carbs (can you imagine?). However for best results, the author recommends eating more yellow carbs during C1, fewer during C2, and still fewer during C3.

NO GIMMICKS, just a change in lifestyle. LADIES, you can do it, too!! Put simply, Dr. Connelly's book stresses proper and adequate nutrition to jump-start your metabolism so you can burn fat and store more lean mass. I take his word for it; after all, he has extensive experience in ICUs with patients in catabolic (breaking down) states and he is the driving force behind Met-Rx, the popular revolutionary nutritional supplement. His view on nutrition is that you should (greatly) increase your protein and fiber intake so as to not create a deficiency and to fuel your metabolism. A deficiency will actually reverse your progress because since the workout routine is so good, your muscles will crave protein. If there aren't enough free amino acids floating in your blood, your muscles won't have anything to build on and will therefore breakdown. Also, the frequent (healthy) snacks throughout the day is like adding wood to a fire - it will keep your metabolism going throughout the day. You'll notice yourself feel more energetic because your body is constantly processing good calories versus the empty calories found in ...fast food. The fiber he recommends may put you in the bathroom more, but it helps fuel your metabolism. Eating fiber-rich cereal and munching on fruits all day is VERY filling and satisfying and is helping me burn more calories than ever.

Second, he stresses lifting as a way to increase lean mass because lean mass burns calories even when one leads somewhat of a sedentary lifestyle. His lifting program is simple to follow, and when followed properly, the intensity level not only allows you to effectively fatigue your muscles, but it motivates you to push yourself toward your goal of a trimmer body and a healthier lifestyle. Each phase - increasing base strength and size, sculpting your new mass, cutting your fat, and maintaining - is separated by repetitions, weight, working sets, and rest periods. I'm in the second week of the sculpting phase and I can tell you it's much different from the power-oriented phase I started with. Now I am hitting 4-5 working sets in which I almost hit failure on each one and I rest only 1:30 minutes in between. I feel the "pump," the bloated muscular feeling in which your area of concentration becomes engorged with blood (a good sign since it means your muscles are extremely active), more often. The prescribed rest periods effectively puts you in a good sweat and you burn a lot of calories as you lift.

Being a college athlete, I highly recommend his book. I already have a good base of mass because of football lifting, but I can see and feel myself getting even bigger. I have always been a big kid with mass, but I could never get rid of the annoying body fat around my waist. Every trainer in the world will point it to my eating habits, and Dr. Connelly has pointed me in the right direction. He has helped me find good nutrition even in my college dining hall, but one negative mark against his program is the supplementation. I believe whole-heartedly in his supplementation, but for some, it may take a while to get used to chowing down Met-rx, fiber, and pills... it's expensive but worth it. Think about it - you spend money on all kinds of junk... why not spend it on healthy food and supplements? Also, you may think eating all day is bad, but look at it this way. If you eat say, three meals and one snack of [bad] calories, it is a lot worse than eating 3 meals and 3 healthy snacks. Your junk food has much more fat and empty calories whereas your healthy snacks are full of nutrients and may even have a lower caloric total (although you SHOULD NOT count calories -- read the book and you'll see why... it will make sense). I love his lifting schedule because I feel myself burning calories throughout the day. I sweat more (meaning the heat from cellular processes is making me warmer) and am more energetic and happy. Now I find myself shunning soda, high fructose corn syrup snacks, and shuddering at the sight of a large greasy pizza (a food that used to sustain me for years). I've tried the gimmicks like Atkins, but for those of you willing to make a permanent (and easy) change in your lifestyle, get this book immediately and follow it to the T. If you don't want a great body, if you don't want to feel good, if you scoff at this book because you think proper nutrition is hard to attain, then skip over this and go to McDonalds.

One last thing: Ladies, do not look over this book because of the weightlifting. You will NOT become a bulky he-woman with his program beccause women simply lack the hormones to attain bulk. Look at the Ms. Olympias; they workout for a living and are no where NEAR bulky as men. Yes, they are bulky, but they have great, lean mass. Don't expect yourself to get as large as they are - they are professionals who lift weights for a living. Weightlifting for ladies will improve your body tone ..., and I highly recommend this book for women, as will many other women who have successfully followed Dr. Connelly's BODY RX.

This book is exactly what the author emphasizes in the programme--simplicity rules!.Its very well organized and explains the science behind it thoroughly,simply and elegantly.He doesn't push his product as pointed out by another reviewer,and he has no suspicious before and after pictures(he does have a few examples and they look genuine).He points out very early on that the diet is 80% of the fitness equation and says that exercise is optional, but the ideal way to get into shape is the combination.You may actually find yourself exhausted from eating because there's a lot of food allowed.The meal plan is SO simple and it takes you one day at the beginning of each 6 week cycle(there are 4)to organize the rest of the 6 weeks.There's large protein allotment, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and a tapering supply of certain carbs(most of which you knew were not good for you anyway).The maintenance programme is more liberal with carbs and has a weekly cheat day, which he encourages you to have.The exercise plan requires 4 days a week with access to the gym for just 5 exercises(in one hour)each time,is very well organized and will not kill you.In the time that I have used it,I have not emerged dying from the gym and I'm pleasantly sore.It has modifications for the gym routine to fit your schedule e.g. 3 day routines.
I would recommnd creating a list of your favourite higher protein recipes or modifying them with his simple guidelines, using Corinne Netzer's Food Count books to figure out the details.There are no strange foods required(he doesn't cook,he confesses) and its simple to put one of his meal plans together.Examples of his mealplans are salads,burgers,meatloaf and so on.You can easily do this even though he does not provide actual recipes.Nothing is forbidden in terms of carbs,but you do have to count some carb grams in some foods.There is no calorie counting.After the zone and its tedious planning,this so doable.
Do I have any unkind things to say? Well, the protein intake is very high and there is some concern as to producing accelerated osteoporosis in women(based on some medical studies)but the weight lifting protocol will probably strengthen bone to overcome this.The maintenance diet is also more reasonable in this regard.He doesn't do aerobics himself,attributing leanness to his diet and weight routine, but says that you can do three short(20-30min) sessions weekly if you want to,and this is contrary to most fitness books out there.The weight routine will get your heart rate up but I choose to do the three sessions of aerobics.The only thing I really liked about"Body For Life" was the quick,brainless and effective 20 minute aerobic interval.Of all the weight lifting books I have read, the best in terms of technique explanation plus wonderful visualization and focus tips remains "A Woman's Book of Strength" by Karen Andes.Don't let the title fool you,guys-she's the co-owner of Gold's Gym.This book is reasonable with some appropriate safety tips and some substitutions for the exercises required.If you're stuck, a reasonable gym trainer will unstick you because there's nothing earth shattering here.
I'll tell you how I'm doing in 6 weeks. If you do want to buy this book,it will be worth your money and remember what the best part of this book is--Simplicity.You will heave a sigh of relief when you see it and the man is a walking ad for his method.

All my life I have tended to carry extra fat, the dreaded spare tire that plagues more and more Americans. For years, I've done the things I thought would minimize my gut: endless cardio and a little weight training, on a low-calorie diet. It helped, but never put me in the shape I want to be in.

Body Rx is a plan to get you in that kind of shape. In six weeks, I've made more muscle gain than I thought possible and shrunk my waist two inches. Almost right away (less than two weeks on the program), people asked me "Are you working out?" and "What are you doing to lose weight so quickly?" I wanted to tell them I've been killing myself on the treadmill for years but IT WAS THE WRONG APPROACH. My co-workers were amazed to see me eat, eat, eat all day long at my desk! I never thought I could eat so much, NEVER be hungry, and lose inches off my waist.

My girlfriend is so impressed with the quick improvement that she's starting the workout and food guidelines.

If you are looking to trim fat, I have this advice: 1) Buy this book and 2) Don't be afraid of how much food you're eating. Enjoy it and the great results you will see and feel!

I have tried the Body for life program for over a year. Although I did get some results, I was pretty disappointed with the overall results. Those pictures are a bunch of bunk by the way. I followed the eating and drank myoplex til I was blue in the face. Everytime I called EAS, they always recommended some other expensive supplement to buy and take. I was tired of working my butt off and spending tons of money. So I decided to look for another alternative and found Body RX from Dr. Scott Connelly. I'm glad he can tell the difference between a vegetable and carbohydrate unlike Bill Phillips. I have been on the program 3 weeks and have seen incredible results. I can't wait to move into the other three stages (sculpting, burning, and maintenance). I appreciate this book and would recommend it to anyone. Especially those who have given the Body for life a sincere try and have been disappointed with the results. Thanks Dr. Connelly for this book and keep those Connelly reports coming.

This book is excellent. This book makes "Body for Life" more like "Body for Strife." It has a very simple diet plan, that emphasizes over and over, "You should not ever be hungry!" Music to my ears! You can eat as much as you want of various fruits and vegetables. Protein and fiber are the basis of the diet. Because of the emphasis on fruits and vegetables, it's certainly healthy. You don't have to worry about possibly having high cholesterol because of all of the protein either. Fiber takes care of that (search Medline if you don't believe me). He clearly tells you how to accomplish your goal effectively with a scientific basis. He doesn't say that you have to take supplements either. Just fullfil the 6 week goals. For each 6 week cycle, he also offers a week's food outline example of what to eat. He even says that you don't have to do any exercise at all to effectively lose weight on his plan. Although the exercise prescription emphasizes machines, it doesn't take much imagination to figure out how to do the exercises with free weights either. You'll kick yourself for not realizing how simple losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle is.