Body for Life / Eating for Life

Body for Life by Bill Phillips is a book that outlines a comprehensive diet and fitness program. It's about losing fat AND gaining muscle - and having a diet that doesn't leave you feeling tired or fatigued. It's a hugely popular book, and has been in the top 100 in a number of countries around the world.

There is no doubt that Bill Phillips is inspired, passionate, and sincere regarding the program. He has recently added a new book Eating for Life - this primarily focuses on nutrition. It's basically a 'fleshing out' of the Nutrition section in the original book. The book has a "guidance" section followed by a large, full color cookbook section with many recipes.

The Eating For Life plan can now be followed online. Award-winning diet and exercise site eDiets have just introduced Bill Phillips' Eating For Life meal plans into their excellent on-line weight loss package.

See the Body for Life online program

Body For Life Basics

Phillips believes that dieters need to combine the four ingredients for a recipe of success:

• Right Foods
• Right Amounts
• Right Combinations
• Right Times

The diet consists of 6 meals per day. Portion size is emphasized rather than calorie counts. A typical meal might consist of one portion of protein, and one portion of carbohydrate. For one day each week you are allowed to 'cheat' and eat your favorite foods. The book provides lists of foods and sample meal plans - but you will need to plan carefully to follow the diet.

The exercise program is essential to Body for Life. This includes 20 minutes 3 times per week of aerobic exercise, and lifting weights for 3 times a week (45 minutes per session).

Sample Diet Plan

This is what a typical 1,700 calorie meal plan looks like on the Eating for Life program.

Do you get a Body for Life?

Bill Phillips has brought different elements together and combined them into a single program. He has delivered these in a truly inspiring and motivational fashion. Despite the book being adorned with before and after photos of people becoming muscular, it takes a lot of discipline to not only lose fat but to build defined muscle mass.

A Sensible Program

The Body for Life program is sensible in all aspects. It is not a very low calorie plan, and has a substantial exercise component. Yes you will need to restructure your life to follow this (maybe that's why its called Body for Life!). You will need to have considerable motivation to succeed, be prepared to work hard, and fat loss would be in the region of 1-2 pounds per week (if you are currently overweight).

What About Women?

There is an edition of Body for Life written specifically for women. It addresses hormonal issues, menopause, and a number of other factors specific to women. See Body for Life for Women at Amazon.

Supplements

Following the diet (6 meals per day) can be difficult, and the author suggests (plugs?) supplements. This is not surprising as Bill Phillips was once the owner of EAS supplements. However EAS is arguably one of the best supplement brands on the market.

Protein shakes (such as Myoplex) certainly have their place (who has time to prepare 6 meals a day?). Shakes and bars are a great convenience factor.

See the Body for Life program

Alternatives

Have a look at Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat - Feed the Muscle. This is a similar program but without any bias to supplements.

Also similar is The Abs Diet - however, Body For Life is superior.