Body For Life

[lilminx]

Has anyone tried this 12 week program by Bill Phillips? Does anyone know of anyone who did it? Did it work? Was the weight kept off? Did they stay fit?

I'm thinking of doing it.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I know two people who do it. They kept the weight off. It doesn't mean it'll work for you. I know someone who has been on the Atkins Diet for two years. Took the weight off and kept it off. I know three people who got no where with it.

The trick is to stick with the program once the twelve weeks is done. Just like anything else. If you can't live with the particulars, it's not going to work for you.

Mostly it's all about eating right and exercise.

 

[curious2c]

I started it and was making great progress. Then...well never work free weights by yourself. I did a stupid thing and have paid for it for two years now, culminating in surgury on my elbow, to move a nerve.

Hopefully, i will be back in the gym in a few weeks and start all over again. I was very happy with the results I had going for me, i actually had the proverbial six-pac showing just before the dumb ass accident.

Important...free weights, especially working with bench presses and long bars...always, always have a spotter there. ALWAYS.

Other than that, working out and eating right were the bestthings that I have ever done. I felt better and looked pretty good too. I will be there again soon. It really worked for me.

 

[truegentleman]

I know a lady that has had amazing results from it. Like what has already been said, the key is your diet, what and when you eat, and exercising . Doing cardio and lifting weights. Remember that you are not going to get bulky just from lifting weights. I know so many women that think that, but once they see that they are not going to get bulky they make so much progress.

Good luck!!

 

[Aphrodisiac]

Has anyone tried this 12 week program by Bill Phillips? Does anyone know of anyone who did it? Did it work? Was the weight kept off? Did they stay fit?

I'm thinking of doing it.

lilminx,

I have always wanted to try that program but I keep making excuses and have yet to actually make any effort.

But enough about me....


A friend of mine began the program because she wanted to lose weight for her upcoming wedding. She read the book, and dedicated herself to doing the exercise and weights. She did lose the weight & she kept it off ... she also changed her figure, she looks really good. She also said that while she followed the diet plan , she would cheat a little once or twice.. she did not follow it perfectly but she lost the weight she wanted...

Good luck.

 

[lilminx]

Thanks for the info, all.

Question: I would prefer to use the Nautilus machine to doing free weights. For one, I feel silly because at my gym it's all these huge bodybuilder muscle guys using the fee weights, and I also feel more comfortable using the Nautilus machines. I'm more familiar with them. If I use a Nautilus machine that exercises the same muscles as the free weights one, is it comparable? Does anyone know if I will get the same results?

 

[caraliza]

Free weights vs. machines

Question: If I use a Nautilus machine that exercises the same muscles as the free weights one, is it comparable? Does anyone know if I will get the same results?

The machines are better and worse than the free weights. Better because they limit which muscles you use to do the exercise, helping to prevent you from doing the exercises improperly and injuring yourself. Worse because when you approach the top of your weight strength, you are prevented from using other muscles to help out.

And the free weights are better and worse than the machines. Better because if you're working out safely you've got a workout partner to spot you. (And I don't know about you, but if I know somebody's driven down to the gym to meet me I find fewer excuses to skip a day.) Worse because if your friend doesn't show up, you don't have a workout partner.

I've browsed the Body for Life book more than a few times in the bookstore, but I'm not sure it's for me. I've got my own routine which isn't a formalized diet. But I do get to the gym just about every day.

 

[ChefChip]

I had the best idea for a diet and it worked for me even though I didn't need to really loose that much.

I figured out that if you ate certain foods when you were a kid that your body is most happy with those foods. So I ate a lto fo the stuff I ate as a kid, like pb and J and carrot sticks and then I jsut did my same daily activities and I lost a lto of wheight, like ten pounds in a month. Might work for other peopel, never know.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I can't use machines cause I'm too small, so I learned to use freeweights.

Caraliza is right.

The best methods are to mix them up rather than to use them all. However, if you use Nautilis all by themselves, they should be fine, too.

El Stud-o uses a combination of free weights, Hammersmith, and Nautalis.

Most gyms have personal trainers. If you can afford it, have one work out a plan for you. You won't need to keep going to the trainer, but to have one start you out on weights is a good idea because they can teach you the proper, safe movements, as well as combinations of exercises to get you going right.

You will need to mix up your weight routine so you can re-consult later on down the road. Or you can start learning to lift by yourself. Colleges with a kinesiology program will have a lot of good weight and fitness books on hand that you can read or checkout, even if you're not a student.

 

[ChefChip]

too small? I used to be small and I jsut adjusted the machines. but we all have our ways

 

[lilminx]

I had the best idea for a diet and it worked for me even though I didn't need to really loose that much.

I figured out that if you ate certain foods when you were a kid that your body is most happy with those foods. So I ate a lto fo the stuff I ate as a kid, like pb and J and carrot sticks and then I jsut did my same daily activities and I lost a lto of wheight, like ten pounds in a month. Might work for other peopel, never know.

Great! Ding Dongs and pizza,here I come!

KM, thanks for the suggestion. I actually do know how to use the free weights- my ex used to be big into weightlifting, and when we would go to the gym together, he taught me the correct ways to use them. I just feel better using the Nautilus machines. The free weights are in a different room on another floor and I don't want to have to run up and down the stairs to alternate. Maybe one day when I'm doing upper body I'll use the machines, and the next time I'll use the free weights. I guess I'll decide once I start the program. I've decided that I'm going to do it, and I'm starting on Sunday.

Wish me luck- I'm definitely going to need it.

 

[Mr. Bootie]

Good Luck with your program lilminx

Great! Ding Dongs and pizza,here I come!

KM, thanks for the suggestion. I actually do know how to use the free weights- my ex used to be big into weightlifting, and when we would go to the gym together, he taught me the correct ways to use them. I just feel better using the Nautilus machines. The free weights are in a different room on another floor and I don't want to have to run up and down the stairs to alternate. Maybe one day when I'm doing upper body I'll use the machines, and the next time I'll use the free weights. I guess I'll decide once I start the program. I've decided that I'm going to do it, and I'm starting on Sunday.

Wish me luck- I'm definitely going to need it.

I may be able to give you a few tips on diet and exercises. Please always remember to use a warm up and cool down. Stretch before, during , and after exercise. Drink plenty of water, and above all listen to your body. When your body says stop....... Stop. Have fun.




kgboot
aka "Mr. Bootie"

 

[lilminx]

Thanks Bootieman, but I've already said that I've decided to do the Body For Life program. I'm very familiar with how to diet and exercise; I'm not really asking for tips on those. I really just wanted to know if anyone's actually done this program and how effective it is.

 

[christophe]

minxie i would say body for life is not a bad program but many companies like the one bill phillips owns may toot their own products...about the only thing worth taking is protein powder and creatine. about all you realy would need is to take a good multiple vitamin.

many of the other products manufactured by his and other companies are nothing more than snake oils... they promise results...they will even name em after actually drugs to make you think you are getting something your not and charge you an arm and leg for em.

the free weights are a good thing. bet as a beginner i would use nautalis for a few weeks till you get the hang of things. then gradually intorduce free weights. keep your reps about 8-12 initially and the weights light. then you can increase them as tolerated.

i would do cardio about 4 days a week and weights 2-3 days exercising 1-2 body groups per session....eg. back chest or triceps biceps.

 

[lilminx]

Any other experiences or stories related to Body For Life?

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[kotori]

i haven't read the book, but one the trainers at the Y who was reading it (and she's in a masters program for phys ed or whatever they call it now) seemed to think it made a lot of sense. as far as i know, she had no agenda. for what it's worth...

edited to add that i've lost 90 lbs between last february and july (no carbs + exercise), and though I've modified the diet, i haven't gain anything back. i'm no vin diesel, and not likely to be, but i feel great. i think i've really changed my life and eating style for good, i just have to stay diligent.

 

[lilminx]

Congrats, Kotori! That is so awesome- you should be very proud of yourself.

I don't need to lose that much- maybe 10 or 15 pounds, but I want to tone up.

The trainer at the Y was right- a lot of what he says in his book makes sense. That's why I've decided to do the program.

 

[Guest]

You'd better share pictures of your success...

 

[kotori]

Congrats, Kotori! That is so awesome- you should be very proud of yourself.

I don't need to lose that much- maybe 10 or 15 pounds, but I want to tone up.

The trainer at the Y was right- a lot of what he says in his book makes sense. That's why I've decided to do the program.

Thanks, I am rather.

From what I've seen, you don't need to loose any, but one of the things I've learned is how important it is to feel good for you.

Now I'm thinking maybe I should check out the book, moving on to that next step.

 

[lilminx]

Thanks, I am rather.

From what I've seen, you don't need to loose any, but one of the things I've learned is how important it is to feel good for you.

Now I'm thinking maybe I should check out the book, moving on to that next step.

Thanks, Kotori, but there's always room for improvement. I have a lot of toning to do, and I'd like to change my fat into muscle. The book really makes a lot of sense- I recommend checking it out. Then again, you might want to ask me my opinion in a week or so, after I've started the program- lol.

 

[lilminx]

You'd better share pictures of your success...

Maybe just with you, if you ask really nicely....