BACKGROUND

As one of the trainers on NBC's hit reality phenomenon The Biggest Loser, Bob Harper has made physical fitness and personal trainers new household words. Often thought to be the softer-side of the training powerhouse with Jillian Michaels, Harper is a hard-hitting, no-nonsense fitness expert who helps Biggest Loser contestants shed literally hundreds of pounds and regain not only their health through weight loss, but also their lives. While Bob isn't personally accessible to the throngs of international fans he has, his insights, guidance and tips are in his new book, "Are You Ready! To Take Charge, Lose Weight, Get in Shape and Change Your Life."

Bob feels his mission in life is to provide "everyday mothers, everyday husbands" with the guidance they need to change their lives for the better- through physical and emotional health. His experiences with the Biggest Loser contestants have honed his skills as one of the most respected trainers in the business. When reading "Are You Ready!", Bob will ask you to start by identifying just one thing that you like about yourself. Everyone has to have one- and from there, you will redefine the rest of your body. Bob explains that the book "is all about working from the inside-out" and helping you to "feel better about where you are right now."

"Are You Ready!" provides grounded advice for not only losing weight, but managing a healthy lifestyle for a lifetime. Not only will you get to the bottom of and overcome the emotional barriers influencing your weight, but you'll learn a new and easy approach to eating, learn how many calories you should consume each day and receive thoroughly detailed exercise and workout plans.

PRO

- Highly respected expert in fitness and nutrition

- Follow along for additional support on The Biggest Loser

- Begins program by helping you define the root of emotional issues associated with weight

- Diet and eating plan is easy to follow, as well as nutritious

- Sample menus

- Detailed workout instructions

- Available on audio book

CON

- No recipes provided

FOOD and DIET

Bob reminds that this is not a "diet" as much as it is a healthy way of eating. Bob's philosophy is one that everything that enters your body should be beneficial. The more than 20 menus provided in the book feature fresh, wholesome foods that come together in delicious meals that won't ever have you feel like you're on a diet. You'll likely wonder why you hadn't been eating this way all along.

While there are those seeking instant gratification with a list of "Yes" foods and "No" foods, Bob educates rather than instructs. He wants you to erase everything you already know and even assume about food and learn why you're eating what you're eating. Forget the food groups you grew up with- Bob's food groups are Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats. You'll eat a balanced variety of foods from all of these groups- not eliminating any one thing and not over-eating any one thing. It's nutrition in balance, something most diet plans are missing.

Since you're learning how to eat on your own with Bob's advice, "Are You Ready!" does not have specific meal plans. However, there are a few samples to give you a jump-start until you're ready to stand on your own. A day on Bob Harper's eating plan could look like this:

Breakfast
- 1 envelope instant weight-control oatmeal
- 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg
- 1 sliced apple
- 1.5 Tbs. ground flaxseed

Lunch
- Turkey club sandwich on two slices whole wheat bread
- Nonfat mayo or mustard
- 1 apple

Dinner
- Grilled red snapper
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 1 cup brown rice

Snacks
- 2 no-sugar-added Fudgsicles
- 1 Tbs. peanut butter
- 2 Wasa crackers and 2 triangles Laughing Cow Cheese

Additionally, Bob's book provides guidance for handling food situations when you're outside of home or your comfort zone. Whether you're preparing meals at home, racing out the door, on vacation or dining out- Bob has helpful tips and solutions.

EXERCISE

If Bob's book teaches nothing else- it's that you don't need to pay expensive gyms and trainers to get in shape. His expertise in this area is clear page by page, in the more than 100 pages dedicated to exercise and working out. He explains that it's important to engage in regular and consistent physical activity for more than just weight loss; you can decrease the risk of life-threatening illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer. Regular exercise is responsible for bone and joint strength which can help reduce arthritis.

Bob shares lists of equipment you should have on hand- everything from a jump rope to an elliptical, how you should read your body and learn from those signals, and how best to establish a schedule that you can comfortably maintain.

The last chapter of the book is filled with photos of Bob performing dozens of weight training exercises, core strengthening moves and his favorite yoga positions. Once you've learned these, you can follow the three weeks worth of exercise plans "Are You Ready!" provides, or mix and match the upper body, lower body and cardio activities to best suit your style.

EXPENSE

Bob Harper's newest book release "Are You Ready!" is available in hardcover for $22.95. You are sure to find bargains online with sellers such as Amazon.com. If you'd rather have the audio CD to listen on the go, the list price is $19.95.

CONCLUSION

Bob Harper hasn't missed a beat in his new book "Are You Ready!". It's filled with smart advice that can be easily implemented by anyone truly committed to changing their life for the better. Unlike a lot of diet plans- this one quickly corrects that it is not a diet, it is a lifestyle plan. And, unlike its competitors, "Are You Ready!" helps you discover the real reason you're overweight and uses that as a motivator to overcome. The diet is not restrictive, but rather incorporates the best food choices from all groups. While there are no meal plans, Bob Harper's education on food and eating allow flexibility to create fresh and savory meals. For exercising novices or experts- he thoroughly addresses exercise to a point that anyone can feel comfortable getting up and moving.

If you weren't already a fan of Bob Harper after watching The Biggest Loser, this book should certainly make you one. The book is smart, easy to read and introduces healthy ways to change your life for the better.

Common Misspellings

Bob Horper, Bobby Harper, Bob Biggest Loser