Shape21: The Complete 21 Day Lean Body Manual Paperback – June 5, 2009

This is so difficult to read - but only because of the kindle formatting. When I manage to get through it I will leave a content review.

This is a great resource. My husband and I did this program. He lost 10 pounds and loves the workout program. we have now done the workout program part 4 times for a total of 84 days. We love the body results and the variety. We also love the short intense workouts that fit into our busy lives. Would love to see another book. The diet is easy to follow, exact, no questions with room to substitute. Good food with little prep time.

This is best suited for the lay person that has never been previously exposed to dietary concepts and exercise physiology. Even then, I would still recommend countless other books before this. Based on his podcast, I was expecting something much more. Very disappointed!

This book just makes sense. It WILL help you lose weight and get in shape.If you are willing to follow a step by step program of meals and exercise and willing to cut out sugar and fried food from your diet for 21 days, then you will see a huge difference. I followed this program for three cycles, but in the first 21 day cycle I lost 7-8 pounds (130 to 122) and saw a difference in my overall muscle tone. This is becoming a family affair as well - my sister started her second 21 day cycle, my aunt and uncle started the Shape21 yesterday and my husband is starting soon.There is only one thing that might not be ideal. I found it best to spread out the exercises as the book suggests and try not to do them all at once (which you can). However, I was changing my clothes a lot during the day. But, it is a small price to pay to change my physical image and the exercising throughout the day helped keep me on track with my food intake.I am glad that I have a program to go back to when I need to shed a few pounds. Currently, I use several meals that I learned from Shape21 and I still follow the exercise portion of the book.I would recommend this book to anyone.

Ben presents a wide variety of meals and workouts appropriate for beginners as well as more advanced health oriented enthusiasts. The meal plans include items that can easily be found in local supermarkets or health food stores. They encorporate a WIDE variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds), whole grains (amaranth, quinoa, whole wheat bread and pasta, wild/brown rice), lean proteins (eggs, chicken, salmon, halibut, lamb, protein powder), and dairy products (kefir, yogurt, soy/almond/rice milk). I enjoyed trying different foods I normally would not have purchased and discovered several food combinations that will be present in my diet for quite a while! Ben offers daily workout plans designed for beginning exercisers to more advanced atheletes. They combine a cardiovascular workout with bodyweight/dumbell full body, multi-joint workouts, which are challenging but appropriate for each level. Beware: the advanced workouts are tailored for the atheltically gifted or sports performing individuals, so be honest with yourself before you attempt them! I have been exercising consistently for 2 years and found the intermediate workouts to be challenging and difficult. Although I have performed some of the advanced workout exercises in the past, I would not be able to perform them as written. Ben recommends cycling through the 21 day course and working up to the more advanced exercise routines, which I plan to do. The book is an excellent resource for meal ideas and exercise routines.

Shape 21 is a great book for beginners as well as a great tool for advanced athletes. The author, Ben Greenfield, offers the full package of fitness and nutrition. This book spells it out for you so there's no guess work, grocery shopping guide for each week, daily meal plans and daily workouts. This book is your own personal health and fitness trainer.The nutrition in this book takes into consideration many known or unknown allergies that may be affecting your weightloss goals or dragging down your energy. After following the daily meal plans from Shape 21, I've made a significant improvement in eating more fruits and vegetables and making better choices when I'm faced with a restaurant menu.The workout was designed with the beginner in mind yet offers a significant challenge to seasoned athletes. I noticed subtle strength increases while on the beginner workout, such as the grocery bags were a little easier to carry in from the car. Now that I've stepped up my workouts and added in a few more challenging moves I've noticed that I'm more flexible and have a greater range of motion along with seeing some muscles form in places where I was soft before.I'm glad I purchased this book, I refer to it often. I will especially use it after Christmas when I need some guidance after all the sweet treats and large holiday meals.

I was one of the lucky few chosen to do a trial of this book. As a result, following the diet and exercise plan very carefully, I was able to totally change my appearance in just 63 days. This has turned out to be not just a temporary diet change but a change in my eating and workout habits for life. Ben has compiled a program that is very basic and easy to follow but incorporates many proven theories on weight loss and strengthening. I highly recommend it to anyone that is serious about making a change.

I just received Shape21: The Complete 21 Day Lean Body Manual by Ben Greenfield. I have not had a chance to start and complete the program yet but I find the book to be a very helpful step by step manual for health and fitness. The grocery lists are great, and the meal menus and recipes seem very easy to follow both for beginners and athletes of all kinds. I am excited to start the 21 days, I know I will experience results.