I had a question about the Body For Life program. I read the book and want to try the workout (I weigh 245 and want to get to around 200) and I had a couple of questions regarding the program AND the Myoplex products they talk about.

1) Has anybody used Body For Life before? How was it?

2) Is it really OK to just do cardio for only 22 minutes? I thought you needed to go for 30 minutes?

3) Do you use the Myoplex shakes, bars, or both and when do you use them? The book says as morning and afternoon snack but I also heard that you should take them immediately post workout? Is that only for weightlifting workouts or cardio also? And does it matter whether it's bars or a shake?

4) Is a myoplex shake and water a suitable breakfast meal?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I did the 6-month Body For Life program about 8 years ago to jump start my fitness and dropped 22 pounds (15% body weight). I no longer micromanage my intake, yet have kept the weight off by burning 3,000-6,000 calories per week (spin, cycle, run, elliptical, yoga, plus some weights). I have recommended BFL to others who could benefit from some nutrition education (multiple small daily meals) and establish exercise discipline. Maybe they'll also use this as inspiration to increase their cardio to more than the 22 minutes. I no longer consume shakes as a meal replacement - just to refuel post-workout. Good luck!

Body For Life is a great starter program. It is what I used when I first started. It is great for teaching you how to do things in both working out and eating. I don't do it any more and as you advance you will probably want to change things up, try different things that reach for the goals you are after etc... but for getting started it's perfect.

Yes, 22 minutes of cardio is enough as long as you do it like he says and really bring your levels 9 and 10 to your highest output. If you really do that, you won't be able to go more than 22 minutes. If you can, your idea of where your 9 and 10 are is too low. It is a version of what is now called High Intensity Interval Training. 22 minutes of that will create much better cardio/metabolism/weight-loss results than 30, 40, 50 minutes of just trudging along.

I have used the Myoplex shakes. When I find a good deal at Sam's or somewhere I still do but you can get others that are pretty much the same for cheaper most of the time. Same with the bars.

i am not familiar with the program, but 22 minutes seems fine if it is at high enough intensity...if you are walking on a treadmill...keep walking

ISS Research has Advantage Matrix.

About the same as the basic Myoplex, but less expensive. And most flavors are okay.

Bill Phillips really pushed myoplex products because he owne the company at the time he wrote the book. While myoplex is ok, there are better supps/foods out there depending on your needs.

I started with Body For Life about 9 years ago and had very good results, mostly because it really helped me to change how I eat.

I did it again a little over a year ago to help get me started working out again. I have recommended it to several friends and everyone who has done it has been happy with the results.

When following the program I only had 1 Myoplex shake a day--usually as my mid morning meal. I have found that allstarhealth.com has reasonable prices for the powders and I have never had a problem with any orders I have placed with them. For the premixed shakes I just get them at Target.

Regarding cardio, as others have said, if you do it correctly 22 minutes on this plan is enough.

Best of luck!