The Mind-Body Makeover Project : A 12-Week Plan for Transforming Your Body and Your Life [Hardcover]

Michael Gerrish (Author), Cheryl Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2002

Real-life makeover success--inside and out For those who want to transform their bodies as well as their mental attitudes, this uniquely interactive plan offers a head-totoe, inside-and-out makeover that shows them how to overcome their fitness obstacles and dramatically change their lives. In The Mind-Body Makeover Project, fitness consultant and psychotherapist Michael Gerrish shares the true-life success stories of seven men and women who participated in his 12- week makeover program. Gerrish and his acclaimed makeover team, which includes bestselling authors Cheryl Richardson and Debbie Ford, an image consultant, and others, documents how each participant experienced the transformation process, applying the techniques the author has used with hundreds of clients, including many professional athletes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Nutrition and exercise are only two pieces of the puzzle of how to get fit and lose weight, writes Michael Gerrish. The other "UFOs" ("unidentified fitness obstacles") are barriers to getting fit. These might involve sleep, work addiction, food allergies, or a number of medical or emotional conditions or lifestyle issues.

Gerrish, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, and psychotherapist, gives a self-test to see which of the 58 UFOs are yours and describes how you can conquer each one. He includes exercise information, with descriptions and illustrations of recommended strength training and stretching exercises, and a general diet plan. He also describes energy block acutherapy, a self-help breathing and tapping sequence to treat fears, addictions, cravings, self-sabotage, and post-traumatic stress.

More than one-third of the book is devoted to "The Makeovers"--stories of real people who "stumbled, fell down, and got up many times, transforming themselves as a result." We get to know these people through their journal entries, photos, and communications with Gerrish as they progress through their 12-week program.

Gerrish is married to personal coach Cheryl Richardson, author of Take Time for Your Life and Life Makeovers. The Mind-Body Makeover Project is recommended for people who struggle with weight loss and are ready to look at the bigger picture. --Joan Price

Review

"... here’s [an advice book] that just might work. Fitness guru Michael Gerrish... doesn’t mince words... It’s quite a revelation." -- FrequentFlyer.com, The Official Airline Guide, February 2003

"Groundbreaking... the first book to address all — and we mean ALL — of your hidden obstacles to getting fit." -- Body & Soul, September/October, 2003

Gerrish's well-rounded, sensible approach is the only true way to create long-lasting health and wellness. -- Tracy Gaudet, M.D., Director of the Duke University Center for Integrative Medicine

Original, comprehensive, and provocative, this book will challenge your current notions about the best and fastest ways to get fit. -- Debbie Ford, author of the Number One New York Times Bestseller "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers"

This book will help you create and maintain a strong, healthy body and mind with loving kindness and skill. -- Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of the New York Times Bestsellers "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" and "The Wisdom of Menopause"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 1ST edition (December 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007138250X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071382502
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,387,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A light at the end of the tunnel..., January 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mind-Body Makeover Project : A 12-Week Plan for Transforming Your Body and Your Life (Hardcover)

At last, I see the light...

This book is well organized, full of great recommendations, and as thorough as any book I've ever read on the subject. Thankfully, though, it's not in the least bit intimidating or hard to follow. I was impressed with how clearly and simply Mr. Gerrish communicated so much important information.

I found the self-test to determine one's "unidentified fitness obstacles" particularly helpful, and to my surprise, incredibly accurate. I've never seen anything like this before. I've been using it on my friends too and it's dead-on!

From beginning to end, this book offered many surprising (and encouraging) revelations. Finally someone realizes that there's more to it than just "deciding" that it's time to get in shape. I was impressed with the clarity of the exercise descriptions, the layout of the exercise program, and the logic behind the approach. What also impressed me was that instead of offering a "one-size-fits-all," rigidly structured diet, this book provides three different options (the one you follow depends on your test results).

The makeover stories were heartwarming, inspiring, and amazingly honest. It's nice to see stories that you can tell are actually real! I could identify with so much of what each subject had to say.

For anyone who has been overweight and out of shape for many years, here's a light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to this book.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A life changing book, February 4, 2003

By 

Susan (Sanford, Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mind-Body Makeover Project : A 12-Week Plan for Transforming Your Body and Your Life (Hardcover)

A reader from Sanford, ME

Easy to follow, easy to read, and real, life-changing results!

I found this book to be unusually concise and written with great compassion
for people who struggle to lose weight. The author's recommendations for
overcoming individual obstacles are practical, straightforward, and doable,
and his references (for additional information) were extremely
helpful. Yes, you must take responsibility for your success and follow
through on the recommendations, but if you do (like me), you'll be
well-rewarded for your efforts.

This is a true story. According to the results of the UFO test, my primary
obstacles were hypothryroidism and a DHEA imbalance. When I told my doctor
about this she was condescending and wouldn't even consider the possibility
that I had these problems. But because I insisted, she ordered the
tests. Sure enough, I tested positive for both. Now, after only three
weeks on supplements to increase my DHEA level and medication for my
thyroid, I am ten pounds lighter and have more energy than I ever thought
possible. Prior to this, on the program prescribed by my doctor and
nutritionist, I actually GAINED 25 pounds. They said they didn't believe I
was following the program. I felt discounted and shamed.

If you're impatient, have unrealistic expectations, or are looking for a
quick fix, you probably won't like this book. But if you're looking for
real answers to real problems, look no further. The results of the
makeovers featured in the book speak for themselves.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best diet and fitness book I've ever read, January 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mind-Body Makeover Project : A 12-Week Plan for Transforming Your Body and Your Life (Hardcover)

I was amazed by the depth and breadth of information in this book. The test to determine your "UFOs" (Unidentified Fitness Obstacles) is phenomenal. It makes such perfect sense! Imagine that you suffer from low testosterone, a cortisol imbalance, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), hypochlorhydria (inadequate stomach acid), or an amino acid deficiency. Now consider the symptoms: a slow metabolism, poor absorption of nutrients, low energy level, carbohydrate cravings, depression...when do you ever hear anyone talking about these kinds of things? How can you expect to lose weight under these conditions?

There is SO much great advice in this book that I've never heard before: Acupressure and breathing techniques to halt cravings, self-sabotage, and procrastination...lists of great resources for addressing individual fitness obstacles...a nutritional plan for candida...the list goes on and on. And the makeovers were wonderful! Great stories! Poignant, genuine, and clearly indicative of how well the program in this book really works! Outstanding book.