Transformation: The Mindset You Need. the Body You Want. the Life You Deserve

Transformation by Bill Phillips is an intelligent exploration of the role thoughts, beliefs, emotions and intentions have on our health, our happiness, and our quality of life. The author grounds his information on a bedrock of solid science--university research which has been both peer reviewed and published in credible sources such as the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). One of the more profound studies which Bill Phillips discusses on page 106 of this book was published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, November of 2009. In this study 2,755 people in their 40's where evaluated over a 10-year period of time. Doctors discovered that the people in the study who harbored resentment, anger, and negative feelings were twice as likely to die prematurely of a heart-attack compared with people who maintain kind and even loving emotional states. Additional studies Phillips sites within the pages of Transformation show negative thoughts and emotions contribute to depression, addiction, low self-esteem, and unhealthy habits like overeating. Having read a few of the '1-star reviews' here on this page, I realized the people who might need this book the most are the ones who like it the least. I could feel the negativity and even anger in at least 3 of the harsh reviews. This is the kind of emotional state which the scientific research indicates is very damaging to a person's physical and mental health. I feel compassion when I see people who experience the world through a jaundiced lens. I have been there at dark times in my own past and I know how much it hurts. I wish I could sit face to face with those who are struggling and let them know there's a better way to live. But it takes fortitude to change. This book asks readers to take a courageous and honest look at themselves, physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. This program is not for the immature or for those looking for a quick fix. This is challenging work and it is not for everyone. What we see when we take a brutally honest look at ourselves isn't always easy to accept. In fact, it can be shocking and embarrassing too. However, this is where the real source of our health or illness resides. Freeing yourself from cynicism, fear, anger, self reproach and desires of the lower self is what this book is all about. I agree with the conclusions of this book: When we finally get healthy on the inside--when we heal the core of ourselves--then and only then will we be able to make a sustainable, long lasting transformation of our health and our lives.

A main theme of this work involves how to transform the body through mind/body, exercise and vitamin therapies. The author advises each of us to label a definitive starting point , as well as a goal or finish line. Exercise enhances the self esteem. Inactivity is touted as being as dangerous as smoking. I believe this to be the case because the body craves movement. The book encourages the practice of preventive medicine in place of disease management under the current medical systems and processes. Protein and carbs are said to stabilize the blood sugar. Omega 3 vitamins provide us with good fats. Vitamins B and C are water soluble. The book advises us to eat 6 small meals daily to increase the metabolic rate incrementally. Some sample menus are provided like grilled salmon and steamed spinach. A mainstay of the book is that the protocols are aimed at lifetime implementation. The psychological impact of eating is discussed also. For instance, resentment and ill feelings are considered to be just as dangerous as poisonous toxins. Overall, the book is an excellent acquisition for your personal library of medical and health books.

Bill Phillips goes beyond fitness with this new book. When I read Transformation recently I was impressed with how much Phillips has learned about the SCIENCE of Mind-Body medicine. He is more knowledgeable now than he was when he wrote Body for Life. His writing has improved too. It is still like having a conversation with a friend (which is what Phillips' writing has always been like) but now it is like having a conversation with an open-hearted, more knowledgeable, mature, humble and caring friend. This makes it easier to understand the concepts. Most books on Mind-Body medicine which I've read are not easy to understand like this one is. Before you buy this book ask yourself if you are truly OPEN MINDED about what all is involved with being healthy. This is not just a workout and diet plan. This is a program for HEALING your mind from unhealthy things like grief, trauma, repressed anger, anxiety, fear, and depression. Phillips believes that a healthy mind and healthy thinking are the way to lose weight and get fit for the long term. And he presents a lot of solid science to back up his theory. Phillips delivers this information much more like a compassionate therapist than a personal trainer. So if you hate therapists and you don't like talking about your feelings, this is not the book for you. I used to dislike that kind of thing but a battle with prostate cancer a few years ago helped change my mind. I have grown to appreciate this kind of healing and now I have a plan for how to apply it in a way that can help me lose weight (which I need to do--30 lbs) and improve my health and fitness. The bottom line message of this new book is: If you want a healthy body, do the work to have a healthy mind (and emotions). That is the promise of Mind-Body medicine. This is the future of health care in America I think. My only gripe is that the audio book is not yet available.

I really, really love this book! I have been in the fitness industry for years, 15 to be exact. I have been in incredible shape, and I have been out of shape. And this book woke me up. I am so externally driven and realized why some of the physically fittest times in my life were temporary. This book makes so much sense! There is a chapter on forgiveness, that just clicked for me, CLICKED! I have spent so many years in the gym trying to make myself beautiful and acceptable for the world to see, yet being so conflicted and hiding from some truths - unfulfilled. Bill nails it in this book with the whole body, mind, and soul connection. Let's just say, I had an experience early in my life that I still carry, and this book woke me up. I am still peeking around his online community, and it looks really supportive. I think having the courage to really open up is going to be my first hurdle. I don't know who will read this review, but if you are woman who has struggled with inner dialogue and old stuff like me, this book has already had a huge impact on me. And being in the fitness industry, I have read alot out there, and no one touches this book. This will add a whole new dimension to the clients I train; there are so many yo-yo'ers out there that need to stop the pattern, so they can become and stay healthy once and for all.

After successfully completing three Body For Life challenges and shedding 108lbs, there was something missing. I just was not sure what it was. A decade later, and struggles with a serious knee injury that sidelined me for nearly three years, I stumbled upon TRANSFORMATION by simply googling "BILL PHILLIPS" name. There it was, a community of insightful, loving, compassionate, and supportive souls just waiting to help me find myself again. Body for Life provided me with the mechanics to rebuild a body plagues with unwanted body fat, weight gain, and scars, but TRANSFORMATION provided me with the key incredient - the inner work. This is a MUST HAVE book!! I've been able to find myself again through TRANSFORMATION, rebuild my body, and successfully complete a 1/2 marathon all within a year of applying the principles of this amazing book. When I first began my transformation journey at the beginning of last year I couldn't have imagined just how much of a change I would undergo on so many levels. Transformation is truly about the entire person, not just the exterior evolution of your physique. I have found peace and love for the first time in a very long time. Being a part of such a powerful community coupled with inspiring my family to join me has been nourishment for my soul. Kelli Sloan "WISDOMCMT"