Reddit reviews The Bowflex Body Plan: The Power is Yours - Build More Muscle, Lose More Fat

I can attest to this. When I was in college I looked at myself in the mirror one day and decided I needed a change. Most people wouldn't have even called me fat, but I was definitely bigger than I should have been and my BMI was tipping the obese scale.
I wasn't entity sure how or where to start as I'm sure is the case with most people. As luck, karma, fate, coincidence, whatever would have it, a guy I worked with at the time (Olive Garden, a den of unhealthy choices, which is what lead to my current state) asked me if I was interested in working out with him on a new bowflex he had just bought. I said absolutely, but ONLY if we do it right and by the book. That book turned out to be something that changed my life. The title is The Bowflex Body Plan which was written by some doctor. If this is any indication of his level of commitment... He studied his own stool samples. Ha. I'm sure it was also in conjunction with Bowflex for some $$$$, but Tony Horton isn't just fit for giggles either.

The book was brilliant and put to rest a LOT of myths about working out. My favorite was always this... Your body can only physically absorb so much protein in one day and it's based on your weight. There's a specific equation that eludes me at the moment, but basically says that when you see people in the gym sucking on protein shakes and gnawing on protein bars all days they're actually pooping out more than their body is taking in. They're crapping money. The book... No gimmicks. No bullshit. That is where I first learned the idea of lifestyle change and not a diet. And I went on a quest after reading it from beginning to end.

Not to get in the specifics of what the book teaches, but basically it's a combination of calorie reduction, healthy eating and certain bowflex workout routines. I went to my apartment, pulled everything out of my cabinets and what I couldn't give away, I threw away. I then went to my local college superstore, Walmart of course, and spent 3 hours grocery shopping and just turning around items around to look at the nutritional labels, which I knew existed, but never knew how to really read them or what they meant as ignorant as that sounds.

Then it started... Calorie reduction, high water intake, high fiber intake, working out three days a week, walking to class, biking down the trail. I did not devote myself to working out. I devoted myself to eating better. Any good trainer will tell you it's education first, diet/lifestyle second and working out third. Your workout routine last because if your brain isn't on board then your body will certainly not be either. Plus if you don't do it right, you won't see results, you'll get frustrated and then you'll stop. If you continue your current lifestyle and simply hop on a treadmill, guess what? You won't see a damn thing for a long time. LONG time.

About 2.5 months later I was 30lbs down and never happier.

Over the course of time my weight has fluctuated, but never back to what I was. Plus I started eating plans that rotated around the kind of workouts I was doing, gained muscle and have transformed myself. Am I Greek god? Hell no. Am I 1000 times better off than I was physically and emotionally? Hell yes.

Education first. Lifestyle change second. Body third.

Errr... Not sure what else to say, but if you're looking for a place to start, even if you don't have a bowflex, Amazon that book. The Bowflex Body Plan. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1579546897/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1368271932&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

You should order up this book if you are planning on using the Bowflex. Tons of good info and plans in there, plus a used copy is only $4 shipped or so.
https://www.amazon.com/Bowflex-Body-Plan-Power-Muscle/dp/1579546897/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478094953&sr=8-1&keywords=bowflex+book