I only used this book for the exercise portion, so I can't comment on the diet portion. But this book is well worth the price for the workouts alone! Once I really followed the workouts schedule as prescribed, I dropped a size in about 6 weeks after a really long plateau.

I disagree with the posters who complain this is too basic, or there is nothing new to learn. The exercises may not be complicated, but that does not mean they are not effective. I had spent over 2 years with a trainer doing weight workouts, but this workout on my own helped me drop another size after I stopped working out with him.

The magic is in the way she composes the workouts. The workouts are amazingly effective if followed the way she lays them out. The combination of lifting with short bursts of cardio really firms up your muscles while burning fat. This type of workout produces more of a leaner/sculpted look, it's not intended for building mass or bulk.

This book kick major butt. So if don't want to be kicked into gear, than don't get this book. Very hard.

If you're serious about losing weight this is the book for you. This book will get you where you want to be if you're serious about it. This is not a quick fix fad diet. Jillian really knows her stuff. I had lost 54 pounds on my own, but the weight stopped coming off and I still had a lot to lose. And I wasn't exercising either, so I wasn't in shape. After doing what she says the weight continued to come off. And the exercises have toned up my muscles and even made them stronger. Lose weight look great and feel great with Jillians book. A must read.

An excellent how-to book, in plain language, that will help anyone in their struggles to lose weight. Jillian Michaels doesn't talk down to you and she doesn't let you talk down to yourself - she just shows you how to make changes that will change your life. I highly recommend this book because it addresses all 3 components to losing weight - diet, exercise and attitude. Everyone will find something helpful in this book!

This is an excellent, effective and realistic lifestyle plan by Jillian Michaels. Her workouts will make you sweat each and every time, but imagining her there with you right when you want to give up half way through your last set is all it takes to get you through it. They are not for the fate of heart, but you can work up to being able to do them straight through with some extra cardio training when you have the oomph for it. Don't be discouraged if you're worn out right away the first few times through. Take short breaks when you need to, but don't give up!

Her meal plans are, for the most part nutritionally sound. Personally I like a few more fruits throughout my day (especially during summer!), so I add a homemade smoothie with 1-3 servings here and there. If you have knee problems, try adding some flax to your diet, and maybe a glucosamine supplement so you don't use that as an excuse to go easy or end up in pain. A lot of her exercises are multi-joint movements that can stress the knees if you are starting out very overweight (squats, various lunges, etc), so you might want to add either or both in anyway. Most of her recipes are pretty scrumptious, but watch your portion sizes since most are for 4-6 people.

It would be nice if some of the advanced exercises had photos, but most are available on Google or YouTube if you're serious about doing this right. Overall, Jillian has done a great job of putting together a surmountable, invigorating life style that will produce results proportionate to the effort you put into making the change to be healthy, happy, and fit. Go for it!

Everyone knows to eat right and to exercise but it's very hard to follow it everyday when its so easy to see fatty foods everywhere. Thanks to Jillian I know the important things like difference between saturated and transfats and that it is important to give your self a rest day instead of pushing yourself too hard. Thank you Jillian!

i love this book! i related to a lot of what she had to talk about. she tells you about the best and worsts carbs, fats, and proteins, and teaches you about your bodys chemical make up (whether you are a slow or fast oxidizer, and what foods to eat and avoid for each). ive read a lot of books relating to weight loss and this is definatly one of the best. its not confusing and she doesnt give you scientific terms that you dont understand. she breaks it down for you and is constantly motivating you that you can do it! the exercise index in the back is great and she also gives some recipies. sometimes while i was reading i felt like i could have written the book (not in a bad way, but how much i knew what she was talking about). she askes you questions about your eating behaviors and how you feel, are you depressed and anxious, which we all know relates to our weight, and self esteem, and confidence. one i started reading i couldn't put the book down. it made me want to get up and go to the gym and try the new exercises shown in the back of the book. i definatly 100% recommend this book. its totally worth it. if you're really focused and really want to accomplish your goals, and you read this book for a little extra motivation, you'll definatly see results, not only in the mirror but definatly in your mind. =]

I really enjoyed the information in this book. Her work out routine is nice because she mixed things up.

I really liked this book! The focusing on your selfesteem issues first is probably one of the best ideas ever when it comes to loosing weight.

For those reviewers that insist that this book isn't helpful for anyone that knows about nutrition and exercise, I beg to differ! I had done Body-for-Life four years ago and had great results. Well, I let myself go, and in January, after four years of yo-yo dieting and exercise, I decided to get back in gear. I went for what worked in the past and started BFL again. Well, I lost about 10 pounds in the first 8 weeks and then stalled. I was ramping up my workouts constantly to keep my body challenged, but nothing was working. I finished the 12 week BFL challenge and had only lost 10 pounds total. I have about 30 to lose, so this was really disappointing because BFL is very strict--and I was militant about the eating and exercise.

Someone recommended this book to me, so I checked it out. I've never watched The Biggest Loser, so I didn't know who Jillian Michaels was. I read it cover to cover, and I'll admit, I was skeptical. It turns out I'm a "fast oxidizer." But there isn't much research backing Jillian's "oxidizer" theory, so I was really afraid to mess up my diet. Once I figured I'd try it out, I changed my protein/carb/fat ratios to 50/20/30 instead of BFL's 40/40/20. I also cycled my calories every day as Jillian suggests, to keep my metabolism from adjusting to a constant caloric intake. Then I got a heart rate monitor, and made sure to keep my heart rate up during weight training sessions by jumping rope or doing jumping jacks between sets. I never would have thought to implement these changes without this book, but I'm 2 weeks into the program and have already lost 5 pounds! That's half of what I lost after 12 weeks on BFL!

Yes, this is mostly common sense stuff that you can find in multiple places--including online. But when it's all put together in front of me, it finally made sense. It outlines reasons why people experience plateaus and how to kick them. For me, it was just what I needed. And I wasn't annoyed by Jillian's approach to fitness. It is no-nonsense, and it was perfect for me.

I think I must own every exercise and diet-related book out there. I have these huge volumes filled with an exercise to work every possible angle of every muscle 6 different ways... You'd think from reading them I would be a fountain of knowledge, but that's not so. Sometimes you just need to know what exercises work, and how to combine them in an effective program. Jillian provides you with just that. My favorite portion of the book was the 12 week exercise program. I like how it changes every two weeks - a great way to keep surprising your body and avoid a plateau.

The reason why I gave the book four stars instead of five is because I think that you can find better diet information elsewhere. I did a lot of research to find metabolic typing and it seems that it is something that is not backed by a whole lot of science. You really have to rely on anecdote for this one - "if it works for other people, it may work for me!" Still, any diet will work if you're restricting calories, and some people have had a lot of success.

Lots of great exercises and recipes. Helps you understand the science behind trying to lose weight.

I personally don't think this book is necessary for anyone familiar with basic weight training exercises or who has basic nutritional knowledge. Jillian is inspiring and knows her stuff. This book was too basic for my needs.

I thought the book was great..very informative from your food intake to what excersizes to do..I loved it. I would definately recommend it.

I just love Jillian Michael's tough love approach to losing weight. Her book made perfect sense so I applied all her techniques. I did gain weight however I have lost inches & I'm eating healthier than I was before. I'll take a toned 10 over a flabby 7 any day.

This book is great! It was very hard to put down one I started reading it. I learned so much from this book and am so glad I invested in buying this book.

Finally!! I have read and tried thousands of different programs and diets out there. When I turned 35 and was at my highest weight ever, weighing more than I did during either one of my pregnancies, I vowed to discontinue my support of the diet industry. I have watched "The Biggest Loser" and was intrigued by Jillian Michaels. But what about not supporting the diet industry? I am completely thrilled I didn't let my previous vow stop me from buying this book!! Ms. Michaels' use of questions to determine the different metabolisms and the formula for basic caloric intake and then recommending an eating and excercise program is exactly what I needed. It's not a one-diet-fits-all book. It's the one diet that fits you or me book. FABULOUS!!!

Jillian tells it like it is. She doesn't promise you anything and is very straight forward about her program. I enjoyed reading this book and I am about to start the program. It also gives a few recipes as well.

This book is awesome! Jillian gets right to the point and teaches you all you need to know about the "right way to lose weight". In just one month I was able to drop 12 lbs and I can feel my muscles shaping. Would recomend to anyone!

She gets down to the nitty gritty.... and makes it the most simple diet and workout program- she gets back to basics and simple math of losing weight, and motivates you like crazy! Buy it and change your life!

Very informative. This is the first book I have found that helps me to understand how my body works, how to eat and how to exercise. Her tips and her 12 week challenge is making me a much stronger person. Jilian Michaels is very knowledgeable. She taps into the mental and physical aspects of loosing weight and being an overall healthier person living a healthier lifestyle. No cheating, no diets, and no easy ways out. She is living proof herself and shares it in her book. I cant stress enought, this is a MUST read for ANYONE trying to loose weight and wanting to be a winner!!!!!!!!!!