Props from a former lactivist
930313
I enjoyed this book, mainly because I agree with the author about most things, having experienced many of those things myself. (I don't agree with her about cloth diapers, though. I will happily make friends with anyone who cloth diaper(ed) his/her kid(s), even if we have nothing else in common. If you don't understand, you clearly don't love the fluff! IT'S FLUFFY! Erhrm.) I like that she points out that breast milk is great all on its own without trying to turn it into a magical superpower--I have even said something similar in my own Amazon reviews. I like that she pointed out that vaccination is a totally separate issue from all of the other parenting issues, because it's the only one that tends to have a direct effect on other people. I liked a lot of things she said, really. In the end, though, it comes out as being too judgmental against judgment--like while trying to point out how an individual's experience can't be universalized, she kind of seems to universalize her own experience. Besides, there are a lot of books on this topic already, and although this one is good, it isn't ground-breaking. I could write one myself and it probably wouldn't be ground-breaking either. In conclusion, this is a decent read, but not a required one.
1077212
First I want to commend Mike on writing a great book and creating a comprehensive program. I think a part of the genius from the book is what any scholar seeks to do, they don't try to reinvent the wheel but compile research and proven work into a new body of work that is more easily digestible to the general public. I have a long athletic background and have my Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and worked in the rock climbing world, and cycling word for most of my career. I was a very early adopter of the Paleo world (even before Robb Wolf wrote his first book), and after years of never truly achieving the results I wanted I started looking elsewhere. I found Bigger Leaner Stronger through Mike's podcasts, and after starting to count my calories and macros again, and refining my weight program I've went from 178 lbs. to 164 lbs. at 5'9"  in the last 2 months. I do have experience weightlifting so I am re-gaining strength and surpassing some of my previous personal records for lifts, and doing this at 14 lbs. lighter. Bigger Leaner Stronger is well organized, and relatively easy to follow. I could see this being a little overwhelming initially to a beginner, but Mike does a good job breaking things down for anyone. Perhaps more than the product itself is the impressive way in which Mike Matthews supports all of his products, whether in his books, podcasts, website etc. He seems to have a genuine heart for trying to help people achieve their goals, and I've listened to nearly everyone of his podcasts even though I am well versed in the Health and Fitness world. Perhaps you are someone like me stuck in the Paleo-sphere so long that you believe in the ideology too much, which might be stopping you from achieving your goals. I do appreciate what I learned from Paleo in terms of food quality and other details, but in the end I couldn't get any leaner until I started following the advice found in Bigger, Leaner, Stronger. If you want a truthful account on how to gain muscle and lose fat this book is more than worth the money! You won't find any gimmicks, just an excellent tool box of how your body works and how to make it change.
835878
I am currently working my way through this book, as well as using the facebook community which provides amazing free support.  Over the past few months, I feel like the concepts in this book have finally freed me from the endless "on the diet/off the diet" mentality.  To change the way I think after many years of "counting calories" (unsuccessfully!) is no small feat.  I highly recommend this book without reservation.
3546562
I wasn't crazy about the actual writing, one guy was too technical and the other one was too casual and both were repetitive, but the content is worth 5 stars.  I'm 65 and am active but have never been an athlete.  The times in my life when I have had a regular exercise program are the times I have felt the best.  When I put my focus elsewhere for any length of time, it shows in my health and how I feel.  This book inspires a "just do it" attitude.  I found it helpful to look at an exercise program as my job. Even people with a full time job and/or family should seriously think about putting exercising way up in the priority list so they can be there for the people they love for a long time. I use free weights and ankle weights twice a week and base my routine on a book I found years ago entitled "Strong Women Stay Young" by Miriam E. Nelson. I also pole walk which gives me the long slow aerobic exercise I need.  I realize that I will get old (if I'm lucky) but hope to have a good quality of life while I am alive.  Hope this book inspires you too.
4705479
My initial two impressions upon picking up No Sweat: Michelle Segar and I could be walking pals (my preferred form of exercise too!); and, due to her passion and experience for the science of motivation, I know we could have a lively discussion about fitness, goals, sustainable habits, and healthy living.

The first may be wishful thinking, but at least I got a satisfying taste for the second after reading No Sweat.

Throughout the book, there are prompts to apply the material to your own life. By the end, I found myself thinking deeper about my meaning for exercise, determining what activities I perceive as gifts, and focusing on actions today that I can sustain for the long-term. I even continue to do so well after having read it. My mindset has been challenged in the best way and I now appreciate every opportunity for movement and understand the value of this for short and long term health.

And perhaps Ill just remember my takeaways from Michelles teachings as I walk on my own, at my own pace.
1596813
DAMN  GOOD BOOK,  INFORMATIVE, AND MOTIVATING....  THANK YOU
3610713
I've listen to a handful of teaching / informational / self improvement / business books in the last year. From Business Boutique, The Power of Habit, It Starts With Food, Total Money Makeover, Whole30, to What Every Body is Saying, and more.

While all these books have been inspiring and helpful in different ways, The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins is seriously getting me excited and motivated because 5 seconds this morning made a huge impact on my entire day today.

I *seriously* can not remember the last time I got out of bed without hitting the snooze button at least once, but usually more like 3 or 4 times. This behavior always results in stressful mornings, rushing out of the house, being worried about being late to work, and skipping breakfast all together.

But this morning was completely different even though I set my alarm at 5:30 am - a full 30 minutes earlier than usual.

My alarm went off and then - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... I jumped out of bed.

No snooze button. No hesitation. Just up and out of bed.

Yes, it sucked for about 60 seconds, but guess what? That was it. Sixty seconds of wanting to crawl back in bed, but then I was awake and moving around and couldn't believe that I just added over an hour to my morning.

Not only did I have time to make myself breakfast, but I took the dogs on a walk, had coffee on the porch, blow dryed my hair (which I never have time to do), and still managed to get to work 15 minutes early. No rushing, no stressing, and no hunger pains!

But it didn't stop there. Starting the morning off like this changed the rest of my day. I wasn't groggy, felt a sense of accomplishment, and was in a good mood - which all led to a super productive and creative day at work, keeping my good mood flowing all day long.

What is most exciting is that I know the snooze button exercise is just the tip of the iceberg with the 5 Second Rule. I'm excited to use this tool on a daily basis to grow my confidence and make braver and more impactful decisions in my day-to-day life.

The audio book is masterfully narrated by the author herself. Mel Robbins is an amazing storyteller and I feel like I'm sitting at Starbucks with a good friend listening to her life changing advice woven seamlessly into funny, impactful, and touching stories.

I highly, highly recommend the audio version of this book... It's extremely engaging, relatable, intriguing, motivating, fun to listen to, and so, so applicable to everyday life.

I have a feeling this actually might even be life-changing...

#5secondrule
52903
I was skeptical because this topic felt hokey but the book was engaging and actually helped motivate me to make changes in my attitude and behaviour. I can't tell yet if I can sustain the new me but I expect I can re-read or go to the website for a kick in the happy pants. I gave it to my husband to read too - we might as well both be happy.
2192273
I remember the first time I met Steve.  It was terrible!  My girlfriend was a huge fan of Nerd Fitness and because I support her I decided to go to this camp she went to the year before and was super inspired by.  I on the other hand, never really considered myself a nerd, though often a bit of an outcast.  At any rate, Steve was already one of her heroes and she knew a bunch of the people in the Rebellion.  My goal, make a great impression on all the people who do Nerd Fitness(which I knew nothing about honestly).  What really happened was that I realized I was going to a fitness camp and twenty minutes before I got there I realized I left my running shoes at home.  So when I met Steve I was in a disgruntled rage and in a hurry to haul butt back outta town to try and find a pair of sneakers.  I'll be honest the next four days were fantastic.  And the Rebellion community was amazing.  Never met more accepting, open minded people in my life.  However, until today when I picked up this book, I still had looked at a total of one article and never actually joined the Rebellion.  But by the second chapter on Level up your life though, I realized why I met such an amazing group of people.  It is because we are all amazing, but we often forget it.  Steve's book shows us how to remember we are amazing and how to make your external life as amazing as you envision it in your dreams.  I have a lot of dreams and ideas but Steve is right, It is time to do something with all my underpants! It is time to start putting more effort into my own blog, time to start really looking for the jobs I want, and to look for ways I can make steps towards my goals in the meantime instead of just search jobs and decide there is nothing else I can do.
1674473
I am writing this review with thanks to the author and with the hope that it will add to the chorus of positive reviews to influence others to read this great book.  I bought RDBDLB about 3 years ago.  I already had a habit of daily exercise but Mr. Ordway's words reinforced my intentions and motivated me to strengthen this habit.  My daily training then was not on the indoor rower. My "take away" from the book then was to continue daily exercise and I added indoor rowing to my other activities as something I would do on some of the days.

A little over a year ago, I picked up RDBDLB again.  It then inspired me to erg daily.

When I got the "please review" invitation from Amazaon in 2012, I did not act on it.  I am doing so now because yesterday, 04.17.15. was the one-year anniversary of my own personal "A Row A Day For A Year" (which I believe is the title of Mr. Ordway's forthcoming book.)

Over the past year, daily indoor rowing became a foundation activity.  I continued my other activities but daily erging became the cornerstone.  There were a handful of days when I simply was unable to erg (e.g., travel, etc.,)  and I created my own "rules" about "making up the meters" so that I was maintaining the consistency.  Nevertheless, I pretty much erged every day.

The main benefit I've realized is the cementing of a habit of daily vital effort that I hope to maintain for the rest of my life.

I am looking forward to reading Mr. Ordway's new book.  Obviously, I am grateful that he has shared his wisdom in RDBDLB and I hope many people discover this first book of his and his subsequent book(s).
4265598
Fully aware of my lack of enthusiasm, motivation, spontaneity and presence to life, I was on a journey to find and reclaim my BEST SELF for several years. Not sure of how, when or why I lost MYSELF, I just knew I had to do something about it and truly believed that I'd one day find the answers.

Call it fate if you may, but while meandering on YouTube I came across Brendon Burchard's Personal Development Show and knew instantly that this man was going  to help me take my game to the next level.

Conscious that my love of life had nearly depleted, I didn't understand why and the Motivation Manifesto not only gave me the tools but more importantly the language to put to words what was once my lost.

The Motivation Manifesto to me, is my little piece of heaven. The tone of the book is palpable, sincere and igniting. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to reclaim their life back.

Thanks Brendon Burchard
830279
I had reached a plateau in the gym and with my motivation in general. I read this book and now I feel reinvigorated. The workout routine is solid. It is a fat burning bible. Starting off skinny and dirty bulking for the last year, these routines have helped me burn off a ton of fat while still gaining muscle weight. Beyond providing extensive workout knowledge, these pages force you to become introspective and search your heart for what you truly want out of life and then they give you the motivation to get after it, in the gym and out. The writing style is humorous at moments but always brings you back with a certain intensity. The writer makes it feel like you are having a motivational conversation with an old friend who has your best interests in mind and wants you to get to the next level. I highly recommend this book and the lifestyle it promotes.
2940762
Im a 60 year old dieting failure, up till now. Never Binge Again has given me a new way to tackle my food addiction/obsession in a way that really makes sense to me. I understand that I am NOT my overeating behavior but the approaches Ive tried before (Weight Watchers, many times; low carb; Prism, worked great then WHOA backlash; South Beach; Weigh Down Workshop...). Weigh Down Workshop had the right kind of thinking for me but I could never quite decide where hunger/fulness were. Dr. Livingstons book has helped me set and test my own rules while providing powerful mental thinking and gets me out of the pity party. Im done using the excuse of stress, boredom, loneliness to justify my food abuse.
1274471
I am not the sort to seek out the self-help primer.  I'd rather read other literary offering from mystery/political intrigue (ala Baldachi or S.Hunter)to rapidly expanding, neuroscience discovery (say, J. Le Doux or E. Kandel). Nonetheless, I am grateful for the Dayhoff and Dyment text at several levels. First, wrestling with their text took me back to treasured graduate school days of exciting discussion/debate, round table seminars. How I miss that 'ivory tower' experience. Second, reading 'Fire' served as needed kick in the pants. I had been avoiding medical tests (blood glucose) for my pre-diabetic condition; reading Dayhoff and Dyment, I refused continued obedience to my internal 'catastrophic muse' (denial)and took the tests. (The anticipated horror evaporated with surpise/delight, when results returned.) Just one other recent illustration of 'Fire Your Excuses' impact involves my singing. Through the years, I have served as 'back up singer' for any number of vocal icons, e.g. Johnny Mathis, Elvis Presley, Il Divo, Vic Damone -- accompanying each as their music streamed in my car, from CD's past to Sirius XM present. Thanks to that 'kick' from Dayhoff and Dyment, I am now taking voice lessons, looking forward to solo singing sans crippling stage fright, and, most of all, loving it. Finally, although I believe that 'Fire Your Excuses'  is a reference best suited for those comfortably compulsive or those who function optimally in social support community, it has value for most everyone. Of the latter, I would say that I am good example.
3983692
What a refreshing read, even for me. I've been following Mark via his Daily Apple for years and thought that this book would be 100% review of everything he's written about on the blog. But even as soon as the introduction I began to understand that this book was going to help me put together all the pieces into a framework for my training mentality. More than detailing each separate component, I gathered a theory of training that will help me improve on my own in the future. Mark and Brad are "teaching me to fish" instead of just handing over tonight's dinner. Burned out? Plateau of progress? I have a toolbox to address these on my own in the future. And as with anything Primal, it's a lifestyle that I can apply 24/7. Not just when I'm out training or coaching someone else.

Most helpful for me, however, is that much of the theory that is used here for endurance training can be applied to my particular sport of choice, CrossFit. After years as a recreational cyclist, I transitioned to CrossFit for the community and thrill of being able to "lift heavy things" without worrying about how it might make me heavy and slow on the bike. Recently I've been concerned that my aerobic engine isn't as awesome as it was right after I quit cycling, but this book has given me hope and a plan to jump start that skill and maintain it without sacrificing the strength, speed, and power I need for anaerobic competition.

Thanks guys, keep the Primal knowledge coming!
3995494
Solid research, great anecdotes and stories, well organized, succinct. My experience with self-help/become your best self/motivational authors and speakers goes back to Earl Nightingale, Normal Vincent Peale and other old-timers. Says something about my age. In recent years, I've been put off by many  of the current motivational speaking and writing stars. I find the big egos, the emphasis on being your best self for material gain, and cult-like followings unattractive. I came across Benjamin Hardy a number of years ago on Medium and found his writings refreshing, profound and inspirational. I've gotten involved with his program 52 Weeks of Momentum after dabbling last year with Life by Design. This has meant that I've had time with this book in recent weeks. I'VE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. In terms of my cross-cultural work with Haitians who work in leadership development and education and my own efforts to develop habits and create an environment toward becoming my best self, I'm finding an inspiring authenticity to Hardy's writings and work in general and this book seems foundational in terms of his learning journey up to the present.
3971778
Steve spoke to our Rotary group and his presentation was so motivating I bought his book. His succinct, logical, and supportive presentation made total sense to me and hit home. Im loving practicing his suggestions. What a difference it makes in my life. You will want to sign up for his blog as well. Great reminders.