Customer Reviews

Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a Better Body and a Better Life

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is still one of my favorite exercise/diet books, and one of the few I actually own. After hearing about how Oprah is now on a "Carbo-addict" kick, it's really sad to see her grasping at trying to find a magic weightloss formula, just like she did in the 80's with Optifast, when she already knows what she needs to do. Don't let Oprah's recent apparent weight gain stop you from reading this book. Everything is laid out and simple to follow (yes, you DO have to make time to exercise but I found if I want something badly enough I will do whatever it takes). Take it from me - I am currently 149 lbs and 10 years ago I weighed 265 - the ONLY way to lose weight and keep it off is diet and exercise. If you are only going to get one 'diet' book, this is it.

This is BY FAR the best book I have ever read for those with lifelong weight problems. Bob Greene is so compassionate and knowledgeable that I completely trusted what he had to say. Oprah's vulnerability and achievements are amazing (and yes, she still runs--she just ran an 8k in Chicago). Don't skip the beginning part of the book that sets the stage for making the decision to become fit. This part talks about how the real issue is self-care and self-love, not weight loss. It all made sense to me and prepared me to take on the steps. I'm happy to say that I have been applying the steps for two months, have lost 18 pounds and am running almost 3 miles a day! I feel like a million bucks mentally, emotionally and physically. If you are overweight and ready to become fit, this is the book to read and re-read! Thank you, Bob and Oprah!

Make The Connection was motivational, informative, easy to follow, and written with the reader in mind. Oprah contributed her personal story of struggle and triumph, while Bob offered his expert information and advice. Never once in the book does Bob or Oprah imply that these are easy to follow steps to a better life. They simply state that if you do follow them, you will get the results you're after. I began the steps 2 months ago and have lost 23 pounds. I have 25 lbs to go and am enjoying every single step of this journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is intimidated by the weight loss/fitness industry. Exercise is for all of us, not just the fit! Bob Greene and Oprah provide you with the information you need to begin your own journey.

I absolutely love this tape. It is the most motivating weight loss tool I have found. Oprah is a hoot, and her common sense approach to battling a low setpoint and low metabolism are so inspiring. This book, narrated by Bob Greene (who was her personal trainer for this journey) and Oprah, documents Oprah's journey to self-discovery and her mastery of the necessary tools to achieving permanent weight loss. In typical Oprah fashion, she dives into the project and emerges victorious.

The only caution would be that Oprah exercised vigorously spurred on by training for various races. Since this is not a pace she will maintain for life, she still has ups and downs. Exercise is one of the steps outlined in this program and it advises 20-40 minutes daily at a certain level. Each person needs to decide for themselves what works for them.

The 10 steps outlined in this book are relatively easy to achieve and are healthy, being based on common sense. This book is not about dieting down to a certain weight. It is about changing your life. It has changed mine. I keep this tape in my car for constant motivation. I have quit smoking in the last year and this tape is my cigarette substitute.

The money I spent for this tape was well worth it. If you love Oprah, you will love this tape.

"Make the Connection" is an incredible book, not just because of Oprah's inspirational story, but because her trainer, Bob Greene, helps you to understand exactly how your body works and WHY DIETS DON'T WORK!! In fact, if you want to lose weight, you HAVE TO EAT (sensibly) and this book tells you how and why! As Bob explains, the key is understanding your metabolism and the role regular exercise plays in increasing your metabolism and KEEPING it increased. Our bodies NEED FOOD the way a car needs gas in order to perform effectively. Bob tells it like it is, sometimes harshly, and makes it clear that you're going to have to work hard, sweat and be disciplined - but you can still eat and it really works! You have to think of your body like it's a machine - and you want to keep that machine fine-tuned, oiled and full of premium gasoline, otherwise it won't run properly!! I'm in my 30s and was not much more than 10 pounds overweight, but I felt bloated, sluggish, had lost muscle tone and generally felt depressed about myself compared to how I used to look and feel when I was in my 20s. To lose weight, I would deprive myself of food, feel sick from headaches and the shakes when I didn't eat, and then end up bingeing and feel even worse. I could barely make myself exercise more than once a week. Well, this book not only helped me lose the extra pounds, but all my other symptoms have disappeared! I now have great muscle tone, feel energetic and positive, rarely feel bloated (except from all that water you have to drink!) and I look and feel better than I did in my 20s! I feel fantastic and I also sleep so much better!! The quality of sleep now is unbelievable!! "Make the Connection" changes your whole outlook on life and feelings about yourself and food. I LIKE TO EAT and, when you follow Bob's 10 steps, you can eat and still lose weight. It's a win-win situation!! All you have to have is the discipline to stick with it. Some days you fall off the wagon, but you just have to get right back on!! Whether you want to lose a little weight or a lot, or just want to tone up and feel more alive, this book can help you do it!!

The best part of this book is that it "tells it like it is". Yes, some days it hurts to work out; yes, some months, despite your best efforts you plateau and don't lose weight; and yes, maintaining a healthy weight is a life-long effort. Those people who lock onto to the hottest new "diet miracle" like a heat-seeking missile will not like this book! But, if you are looking for an easy-to-follow plan to get control of your eating habits, this is it.

Despite never having a weight problem himself, Bob Greene is amazingly sensitive and understanding of behaviors such as emotional eating and bingeing. As Oprah states "He understood the problem was deeper than even I realized". His down-to-earth factual explanation of the "ten steps" of his program are balanced by excerpts from Oprah's journals. It took a lot of courage to reveal what she shared in this book. As Bob says "overweight people are literally wearing their pain". But few of us overweight people have to endure the pain of reading about our latest size increase in People magazine, complete with unflattering pictures!

If you are looking for a plan to help you get control of your eating, one that balances your physical, emotional and spiritual needs - this is it

I like this book because of its honesty. Basically the message is (in my words) YOU CAN'T EXPECT TO LOSE WEIGHT IF YOU DON'T EXERCISE AND YOU EAT LIKE A PIG! There are no quick, miracle diets, and starvation is a formula for disaster. Don't buy this book if all you want is for someone to tell you it's ok to eat whatever you want and that you only need to exercise for 10 minutes every other day. Send me the money that you would spend on a book like that. The results will be the same. If you really are serious about losing weight, and the necessary lifestyle change that it requires, then buy the book. As Oprah says: "It's not about dieting, it's about changing your life."

After watching the Oprah Winfrey show and seeing Bob Greene and Oprah discussing "Make the Connection, I decided to buy the book and the journal. Since reading the book 38 days ago I haven't looked back.(I've been moving too fast!!) What made the difference between this book and the other kazillion "fitness books?" The fact that a "real" person tried the technique described in the book and showed the world that it can work. Sure, Oprah can afford a personal trainer but what about us middle income earners? You don't need a personal trainer and a cook in order to follow the program. It isn't motivational in the sense that it pumps you up with a load of "you can do it's if you really want to" - it is inspirational in that you just FEEL that you can accomplish the goals by following the ten steps. The comments by Oprah about her day to day ordeal and how she overcame some of the hurdles (like will the pain EVER stop?) really hit home and make it workable. If you have been struggling - but not getting anywhere with your level of fitness - if you have used up all of the excuses as to why you CAN'T do it - read the book. It'll inspire you to try one more time - for the last time - it doesn't get any easier than this. Thanks Bob and Oprah - for a job well done.

I've read about many diet plans and fitness plans, and have been extremely sceptical. This is NOT a diet. The food plan follows the FDA's food pyramid, and makes sense. It's really hard for me to get in all those servings of fruits and vegetables, though! The exercise plan may seem overwhelming, but it really works. Bob even allows you to have that glass of wine or piece of pie once in a while, which you won't find on other diets. This book is easy to follow, motivational, and works, even if you just want to lose 5 lbs or get in better shape.

I thought the book was excellent. It is based on sound scientific information. I am a biochemist, and there is so much misinformation regarding metabolism and fat loss, that I was happy to read proven scientific fact instead of hype. It breaks down the steps to permanent weight loss into 10 steps. In the first week, I have already lost 8 lbs.
The accompanying journal is a great accessory. It is helping me to stay on track and making me feel accountable to something, if only to a book. I find it tremendously useful.