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Helped me lose 15 pounds

Customer Rating:
This book is awesome! I was working out at the gym and eating pretty well, but I was losing about a pound or a pound and a half per month.
I read "Making the Cut" and followed the workout routine while counting my calories. In that month I went from 211 lbs to 204 lbs.
The circuit training described in this book has really opened my eyes as to what kind of training is possible and I will never go back to just sitting around and lifting weights.

Be sure to check out Jillian's Podcasts of her radio show on the internet (KFI 640am).

-Good Luck

INTENSE WORKOUT THAT WORKS

Customer Rating:
This is an intense workout and calorie-sparse diet program for those serious about having a fit body. The 30-day program is for people who want to lose weight and become stronger and more fit.

The exercise program requires some knowledge of weight training and involves a balance of cardio and strength training. You begin the exercise part of the program with an assessment of your current condition by doing a 3-minute step exercise and heart rate measurement, as well as testing how many sit-ups and push-ups you can do in a minute. The exercise includes the use of some gym equipment as well as free weights, body ball, and a step. The exercises also involve doing variations of squats, lunges, jumping rope, push-ups, and sit-ups. There are over a hundred different exercises, and they progress in difficulty over time, though even the early ones will make you sore. It is not just a strength training workout as there is a fair amount of cardio.

The author has a theory about how people "oxidize" food and provides a test to see whether you are a fast, slow, or balanced oxidizer. Her theory suggests that fast oxidizers need more protein and slow oxidizers need more carbohydrates. The book has three different menus with recipes (which make 10-12 servings) for each type of oxidizer. The three diets are calorie-controlled meal plans you must prepare at home and there is no fast food or junk food allowed. The food is designed for maximizing nutrition and minimizing calories. The book also provides grocery lists to make shopping easy. Note that the diets are not vegetarian.

The book emphasizes that there are no quick fixes to weight loss - just a lot of hard work involving calorie-restricted eating and effective exercise - but the payoff is the body you want. If you are ready for the time commitment of this strict, highly-scheduled 30-day diet and exercise program, it will deliver results. An additional approach, THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreams. I recommend both books.

Making the Cut

Customer Rating:
Although she straight and to the point, which really made me want to work hard, the diet was difficult to follow. The "shopping list" didn't match the menu. I had some left over food. Also, I had to shop for extra food because they were needed in recipes but weren't on the list. It was very frustrating. I also bought the video, which is a great workout.

Nutrtion information needs some work

Customer Rating:
She says to not eat processed food, then recommends you buy carb conscious low-fat milk, fat-free American Cheese, and weight control oatmeal, huh? She does not back up any of her claims. Why does it matter what kind of oxidizer you are? Give me something to back up your claims.

While I liked the circuits, there's no way I would do them on my own, almost need a personal trainer to come with the book.

Workout is hard - didn't do the diet

Customer Rating:
I loved the workouts in this book. I'm on day 28 of 30, and I am so much stronger than I was before. I have visible definition in my arms, legs, and back that wasn't there. I even have pretty visible abs.

I didn't do the diet because the foods were kind of gross, and it didn't work out with at-home dinners (husband's not doing the book, and it's a hassle to make two dinners or have him make his and watch him eat something much more appetizing to me). Even so, I got results. I lost about 3 pounds (again, I didn't do the diet, so I'm sure I would have gotten the promised results if I'd totally committed).

Bottom line: these are great exercises. Yes, you need access to a gym for some freeweights, but it's worth it. Also, I'm not sure who's serious about fitness and doesn't have access to a gym/freeweights. At any rate, even though the program's over, I'm going to work in a pair of her workouts once a week into the future. They're great, and so much better than just lifting one day then cardio the next.

A note on the pushups - I NEVER could do push ups before, but I can now. Even so, the plyo pushups where you're supposed to clap in the middle are still impossible for me. I've stuck with the plan, and I'm just plain not strong enough for those. That kind of thing is the exception, not the rule, I've found with her exercises, though.

Oh, and I didn't start out awesomely in-shape before the book. I've seen reviews saying this is for tiny skinny girls or gym rats, and it isn't. I weighed 150 pounds at the start, and usually just walk or do elliptical or do light weighlifting at the gym.

Highly recommended!