Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You

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True to form, Jillian comes through in a manner that is clear, concise, and no-nonsense. I lost 32 pounds utilizing her first book, "Winning by Losing." I've maintained my loss for almost a year, in part, by listening to her weekly radio show. She won my loyalty long ago, because this woman KNOWS HER STUFF! So when I heard about her new book, I decided I was ready to dive back in and go for "the cut." I've lost 5 additional pounds in 8 days. I'm so jazzed -- thank you, Jillian!

This book wasn't very helpful to me because I don't have access to a gym and a lot of the equipment that is required to do the exercises in this book. It would have been great if it could be done at home, or at home without gym equipment.

I just got the book 3 days ago. I am only on day three, but the information in this book is eye opening. Jillian covers everything from hormones and metabolism, supplements like hoodia, even the master cleanse.

I saw the review below and can't help but wonder if that person actually read the book. There ARE in fact 3 separate 30 day menu plans. One for each oxidizer type (slow, balanced, and fast). For that reason, 1 plan will ask for non-fat cottage cheese and another will ask for low fat. Those two ingredients are not on the same meal plan and they are also on separate grocery lists (of which there are 3, one for fast, balanced, and slow).

Jillian goes on to explain that the recipes make up to 10 - 12 servings for the following reasons: Most women don't want to make separate meals for their families. Also, the book allots each reader with and individualized calorie allowance. As some of the recipes are very low calorie, some people doing the plan will require up to 5 servings of each recipe. Last, if you are like me, always on the run and finding it difficult to cook every night this book will solve your problem. This way you will have healthy food prepared when you are pressed for time. All that said, she specifically mentions in the book that if you want to make less food you can simply cut the ingredients in half and the meal will still come out perfectly making half the servings.

With regard to the workouts: There are over 100 separate exercises in the book and less then 10 of them require gym equipment. The workouts seem predominantly designed to utilize body weight exercises (no gym required).

The workouts do seem tough, that is for sure. However, you can easily modify the exercises to accomodate your fitness level. Jillian offers over 8 variations of plank exercise, 11 different variations of lunges, 8 variations of push ups, and 8 variations of squats just to name a few. For those that don't have a treadmill accessible she offers up over 10 different types of cardio intervals that require no equipment like mountain climbers, butt kicks, squat jacks etc.

As for not being able to tackle weeks 3 and 4 of the workouts on day 1, I think that is the whole point. In order to lose weight quickly you must progress your fitness level quickly. For example, the contestants on Biggest Loser couldn't walk around the block on day 1 and by day 7 she seems to have them running miles and doing push ups. This is why she instructs you to follow the plan religiously. I assume that by doing the workouts from week 1 and week 2 you will be ready to take on weeks 3 and 4, hence the books promise of delivering "the best shape of your life".

I love Jillian. I have been a fan of hers sine season one of Biggest Loser. I listen to her radio show religiously and trust her advice. I use her dvd's and have gotten amazing results. I love this book so far and although it's no walk in the park, I welcome the challenge.

If you are serious about dropping weight and keeping it off, this is the book for you.

If you want to know about fitness and nutrition, as well as get the encouragement you need (not to mention become highly motivated), then this is also the book for you.

And, if you're tired of all the failed attempts, "magic pills," goofy schemes, and gimmicks at "knocking off" some pounds, AND you are committed and willing to work your arse off, then this is definitely the book for you.

My wife and I have three decades of fitness and nutition "under our belts," but we had reached the point where we couldn't get rid of some "extra poundage." Then we found "Making the Cut" and everything changed for the better. We "followed the steps" in this book and did everything exactly as Jillian outlined for thirty days - the results were amazing and incredible!

You have to be prepared to not eat fast food, to cook your own meals, and to do exercise "movements" and circuits that, at first, seem diabolical.

In the long run and, really, in the 30 days as outlined in this book, you will see and feel dramatic changes in your weight, how you feel, and your overall perspective in life. I lost over 15 pounds in 30 days and my wife lost 11 pounds in 30 days ... and we are keeping the weight off, too.

WARNING: You have to be prepared follow Jillian's fitness and nutrition plan. Otherwise, you will have limited or modest success ... everything she maps out for you improves your life on so many different levels. And, as I have said, my wife and I were pretty well "educated" on fitness and nutrition. What Jillian does is wrap it all up in one package. We used to focus mostly on cardio, with some strength training mixed in. Jillian's approach is balanced with emphasis on exercising combined with strength training and cardio. But in the middle of all of that is plenty of cardio (more than you ever imagined - be prepared to be out of breath A LOT at first) ... when I first saw jumping jacks and jumping rope I was a bit skeptical ... that is, until I found myself out of breath and thinking I was going to die after just 30 seconds attempting each ... the bottom line is that you get such a balance approach to fitness, that there is plenty of cardio along with everything else. And, in no time at all, you'll be able to "keep up with Jillian!"

Jillian starts you off by explaining what is involved in losing weight the "right way" (i.e., eating right/smart and exercising your body in specific ways). You'll even take a brief test to see how you oxidize food. There's more to losing weight and getting/staying healthy than just numbers (3,500 calories equalling one pound of fat ... but many times, those numbers don't seem to add up - that is until you start working with Jillian!). As you restrict your caloric intake, it's essential that you eat the right kinds of food to build muscle, strengthen your immune system, and stay energized. To know how to get the most nutritional bang for your caloric buck, you need to understand your metabolic type, which is the way your body converts what you eat into energy.

You will find out if you are a Fast, Slow or Balanzed Oxidizer ...For many years the health industry has embraced a standardized "one size fits all" approach to weight loss. But the reality is that no one diet works for everyone. Inherited genetics makes each of us unique, from the color of our hair right down to the way our organs function. This uniqueness extends to the way our cells convert nutrients into energy. To know how to get the most nutritional bang for your calorie buck, you need to understand your unique metabolic type (and how you oxidize food) around the foods that will help you achieve and maintain your ideal weight while optimizing your physical energy, strength, and mental clarity.

After you take a short test, you'll know just how your body processes food ... from there on out, EVERYTHING you eat will be oriented around how you oxidize food ... that is what is incredible about this book - it is designed to fit YOUR specific needs. So that means what you eat is smart and just right for you. Combine that with the exercise regime ... and, I tell ya, if you do everything Jillian tells you, you will not only lose weight, you'll keep it off. Best of all, armed with all of the information and insight you learn from Jillian, you'll never go back to your "old ways." And, therein lies the "secret formula" of this book: there are no magic answers, quick fixes, or schemes of any type ... this is going to be hard work and you will be required to "follow the rules." In the span of just a few days (and LOTS of sore, aching muscles), you'll be sold on Jillian's safe, smart, effective, and "see the results" program.

And, when you talk about balanced, the meal plans Jillian maps out for you, well, those border on "beyond gormet," yet they are quite easy to "cook up" at the end of a busy work day.

Again, you have to be prepared to "stick with the plan" with Jillian. If you do so, you will be amazed at the results. We were so impressed that we have now joined her online, web site program at http://www.jillianmichaels.com ... it is more of the same "great stuff" that is in the book and it is all outstanding. Additionally, Jillian provides a plethora of tools and encouragement ... plus you can line up a "work out buddy" online to help you stay on track (while you help that person stay on track) ... my wife and I PUSH each other, so we didn't need the buddy system, but from what I have seen, it is a great asset that is included as part of the web site ... Jillian provides all kinds of information and her daily emails are quite informative, too.

The best part in all of this is that EVERYTHING is completely mapped out and scheduled for you with this book, "Making the Cut." There is enough variation and additional options in the meal plan that you never will get bored with what you are preparing to eat.

THE NAKED TRUTH: My wife and I have tried pretty much all of the fads, gimmicks, and false promises over the years when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off. Jillian's approach is the REAL DEAL. You need to be prepared to make lifestyle changes (which are forever). And, you need to be prepared to be the sorest you have ever been in your life (to begin with), because her variations on the common exercises we all know about (push ups, lunges, squats, jumping jacks, jumping rope, crunches/sit ups and MUCH more) will initially make you feel like you are going to die (especially the mornings after when you attempt to get out of bed). But the end result is that Jillian will get you into the best shape of your life - you'll never feel better. My wife and I were already oriented to exercising with a stationary bike, BowFlex, ellipse machine, Nordic Track ski machine, and Stairmaster, but still we struggled a little bit at first "just to keep up" ... but what is great is that Jillian builds her book around "Level 1" (for beginners) and "Level 2" for the more advanced ... in other words, she has all the bases covered so there are no excuses ... and, on that subject, if you have watched "The Biggest Loser" on NBC, you'll know that Jillian doesn't mince words nor does she give you sympathy when you want to quit! That attitude comes across LOUD & CLEAR in this book ... and that is a good thing. You're "here" to get in shape, to be healthy, to eat right, and to feel the best you have ever felt ... Jillian delivers on all of that and then some.

BUY THIS BOOK ... it is exactly what you need to get in shape and to sculpt your body from the inside out ... and to keep things that way. What you will learn about nutrition and exercising will be daily revelations. Oh, one final word: be prepared to "clean out your cupboards" AND your refrigerator, because Jillian even provides a grocery list of the food you should be buying (which means no sugar, no white flour, and definitely minimal salt). And, you're going to be surprised at just how amazingly good all of the food YOU will be preparing is. Yea, YOU WILL BE PREPARING ... there are no prepackaged meals here and that is probably what my wife and I love best about all of this (actually, we love every aspect of what Jillian has to offer) ... we highly recommend "Making the Cut" ... if you really want to "trim down" and keep off those extra pounds, Jillian clearly shows you the way!

Got any questions? Email me at bil@alvernaz.com ...

One last point: I heard this somewhere once, "Nothing tastes as great as being thin feels!" You'll understand the real meaning of that once you make it through Jillian's 30 days meticulously outlined in "Making the Cut."

I was somewhat disappointed with this book. It has a larger and better collection of recipes than Winning by Losing, but there were still no quotes from actual clinical studies supporting her "oxidizer" diet plan.

Like her other book, it is really geared towards people who have access to a good-quality gym--there are no separate workouts for those who wish to do this program at home. Equally annoying is that there is no quick picture guide for the workout--you really are tied in to flipping through the book until you memorize the exercises, and many of the exercise variations don't have pictures at all. Finally, when you have to bring any kind of supplement usage into a fitness book....

However, she admits up front that her 7-day diet is really for losing water weight, not fat. Most authors featuring a diet of that sort do not.

I would check this book and Winning by Losing out of the library first before buying.


A much more home-friendly workout book is Minna Lessig's book: Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom. She has several pages of small pictures showing the beginning and end positions of each exercise, grouped by the type of workout you want to do. Her DVD of the same name is also quite good.

Jillian Michaels a personal trainer by trade, follows up to her other book"Winning by Losing" with a more aggressive approach to a more define body within a 30 day period of time. Good use of gym equipment and exercise combinations that will give that "rip" look the reader is looking for.

If you want to know how people like Vanessa Marcil go from having a baby to getting back on the cover of Maxim in only a few months, get this book.

The scary part: the workout is challenging and I can't even sit on the toilet I am so sore, but the diet is a no fail. Jillian literally walks you through every second of your day for a month. From exercising, eating, sleeping, supplements you name it. She leaves you no room for error.

I have been doing her plan for exactly 1 week today and weighed in this morning 8 POUNDS LIGHTER! After a week!

This book is a wake up call for the fitness enthusiast. I am a physically fit, middle-aged woman who had decided to drop that last 10 pounds and get serious about muscle definition. After reading this book, I no longer cared about these fitness goals. The book is daunting. The exercises are advanced (gym-style), but no "at home" modifications. The nutrition part left me a bit overwhelmed. I was unable to figure out what type of oxidizer I was from the questions. The format is list-like and the motivation didn't do it for me. Instead of feeling enthusiastic, I was left feeling hopeless.

I really liked her first book and her Shape Up DVDs, but since I don't need to lose 100 lbs, I thought this book would motivate me. It had the opposite effect. It is geared more toward getting ready for a special event, but even for my wedding, I wouldn't have gone through this kind of gruelling regimen.

I know Jillian is no-nonsense, which I really like, but this book made me feel old and fat. Not quite what I was looking for. All in all a disappointment for me, but I gave it 2 stars because I liked some of the recipes.

As one who's started many diets and not finished any, I was attracted to the dustcover phrase "The 30 Day Diet and Fitness Plan" In the past, something of the utmost importance had always knocked me off a diet - holidays, a family reunion, a gift box of candy, the necessity of eating popcorn at a movie, an irresistible urge to walk into an ice cream shop. As you can see, it took very little. But, I thought anyone, even me, can stick to a plan for 30 days.

As I began to read this book I became even more impressed with the author, Jillian Michaels, Biggest Loser Trainer. Of course, she's had her share of celebrity clients, but what came through to me was the amount of space she spent in explaining the importance of motivation, and how to care for yourself during the plan. She seems to really care about her readers' well being rather than just selling books. For instance, she tell readers that if you have over 20lbs to loser to put the book back on the shelf.

Jillian's approach is two pronged - exercise and nutrition. Both are equally important. Since this is a 30 day program, the exercise requirement is a minimum of 40 minutes a day, 5 times a week. The exercises are clearly explained with photographs that show exactly how to do them.

Her nutrition plan is very detailed down to your individualized calorie allowance. She has 30 seperate full day menus for each nutrition plan with over 100 recipes.

Jillian is also incredibly candid. She discusses the pros and cons of very controversial weight loss supplements and procedures that most fitness experts might shy away from in an effort to be politicaly correct.

Well, my 30 days isn't up yet, in fact it's barely begin and I am aching EVERYWHERE, but I can already feel and see a difference. I'll finish as I'm a bit like the Little Engine That Could...."I know I can, I know I can," And, I know I'll be delighted I did!

What's up with her new book making the cut? She clearly says, BOUNCE if your trying to lose more than 20lbs, this book is not for you. if you can't do a regular push up, your a wossy... hello? thanks for the motivation, b*tch.. lol.. this book is just like the first minus all the crap she spoke.. it get's to the point, but it's so insulting.. if your not 130lb, this book is not for you..

i kinda looked up to her, until i read that..

I just finished the Making the Cut 30-day program and am very satisfied with the results. I joined a gym for a month to try it out (I usually work out at home), so I would have access to more equipment and machines. I found that I can probably do the routine at home with a couple of modifications. I lost 7 stubborn pounds (I was at a plateau for about 6 weeks) - discovered that counting calories does "count" when you are trying to get those last lbs off. You have to be fairly fit to do the workout at a decent intensity level; I'm pretty fit, but had to modify a few that I just could not do (yet), like a scorpion push up and a pike crunch. Her recipes are tasty and the menu has quite a variety.

That said, there are a few improvements I would make:

#1: Structure the meal plans with a little less variety so you can use up the groceries you purchase for the week. If you don't, you will have a lot of waste.
#2: Structure every recipe based on four servings, so if you are cooking for one or two you can modify them easily. Why make a salad that serves 10? Most people are doing this program by themselves or, maybe, with a partner.
#3: Alphabetize the exercises by name in the index so you can look them up easily. I have a good memory, but I needed to refer to the exercises a few times and it was frustrating trying to look them up.
#4: There seems to be a little confusion on the exercise (with # of reps, etc.) and the description of the exercise - for instance, she'll say in the exercise description: use both hands, then, in the workout schedule, it will say "single hand" and it doesn't seem to make sense.
#5: Suggestions for what to do "next" at the end of the program, and also include some inspiration in between the daily workout schedule.

Otherwise, TOUGH WORKOUT and GOOD RESULTS if you make the effort!

It's true, there's not a lot of clinical studies, etc. to prove her theories, but it is a no-nonsense approach to taking a step to the next level. The workouts are not for sissies; they are intense and heart pounding. Yes, a couple of the exercises are difficult to figure out without a picture, but I'd say that 95% are clear and concise and simple to figure out if you've had some exposure to a gym or are familiar with basic fitness moves.

This book is so detailed it was above and beyond my expectations.

For example, Jillian advises you to supplement your diet with kelp as iodine is essential for healthy thyroid function.

The book includes information on hormones, metabolism, insulin, the "glycemic load index", the thyroid hormone, cortisol, stress, the adrenal gland, the growth hormone, hunger hormones, and more. Many of the issues might seem overwhelming, but jillian makes it very simple to understand. She creates a simple plan that will help you fire up your metabolism and balance your hormones once and for all!

Jillian as always is brutally honest, but for all the right reasons. This book is a perfect follow up to her first, Winning By Losing.

Jillian's diet philosophy is that there is no one size fits all diet. Ain't that the truth. For this reason, Making the cut assigns you an individualized calorie count and oxidizer type. The book has 3 seperate 30 day meal plans with detailed menus and recipes even down to the sodium grams. It makes it a no brainer to figure out how much carbs, protein and fat are right for you.

What makes this book different from her first is that she goes into great detail about what foods you CAN'T eat in order to balance your hormones and maximize your metabolism. She talks about how sodium, alcohol, processed foods, supplements affect your metabolism. The information was actually new to me.

The exercise program is incredible. The way it's written it feels like she is actually training you.
Highly recommend.

I found this book very informative and what I loved is she realizes everyone is different thus we need to approach weightloss differently. I love that she encourages lifestyle changes not a diet to loss then gain again once you stop. The segments help you find what type you are and to approach your health from that angle. It's been very helpful and I've lost 10 pounds in 2 and 1/2 weeks. This is something that was well worth buying and I feel I'm on my way to being all that I can be and staying that way.

I have to say that this book does it all for you when it comes to the planning. It is very detailed about exactly what to eat for the whole 30 days and the majority of the exercises can be done at home, but there is alternatives for the gym.
I have struggled with sticking to a diet plan because it became too hard to plan, but since it has every clearly laid out, even the shopping list, it's going give me one less excuse to not do it.
If you really want a guide to stick too, I would recommend you get his one.

As one of the Australian Biggest Loser contestants and one of the success stories on Jillian new book, I want to be the first to recommend MAKING THE CUT. If you are serious about wanting to look and FEEL better, this is a "sure-fire" plan. It is intense, so you must be dedicated and disciplined, but it WORKS! You don't need an expensive gym, but you do need the right mind set and Jillian's book!

No doubt you will get results with this book. Jillian Michaels obviously knows what she is talking about. In truth, if you don't seek a totally hard body you can even slack a little on the diet portion and still get results.
But... These exercises are draining. After a couple of weeks I found that I didn't want a hard body bad enough to keep putting myself through the routine. I use the exercises in the book once a week as a jumpstart to my fitness program and then do my usual for the rest of the week. That is what works for me. I can still tell the difference since starting Jillian's program.
If you are ready for a real challenge and are ALREADY doing a regular exercise and weight lifting program then this book will certainly take you to the next level.

Okay, to get this book you have to already be a die-hard fitness guru...but then again, if you were, why are you buying this book? Also, the meal plans sound great, but preparing them (for example, lunches) are almost unreasonable, unless you're a stay at home parent or you work a strange shift. And yes, I have prepped them the night before, but eating a SEAFOOD dish the next day is not exactly a picnic, the same goes for a day old piece of grilled chicken REHEATED in a microwave. To "eat right" in this book means to sacrifice your taste buds or starve yourself, and I'm not trying to be remotely amusing about this.

Now, as for the exercise regime, it is tough. And quite honestly folks, if I didn't buy the DVD set, I wouldn't have been able to figure out more than half of the exercises based on reading a description! (Yes, there are some pictures to go with the instructions, but for the most part, it's just a written description of how to contort your body). I don't understand how this book is meant for someone who is already in "tip top shape", yet needing to lose 20lbs? (If you read the intro, she states you already have to be in decent shape to endure this boot camp style regime). Mind you, there are some positive aspects - I've learned to make a few new dishes, as well as a few other exercises, but all in all, this really was a waste of money (and you will waste a good $200 on food products to fit her strict diet plan).

As for the Complete Body Workout DVD set:
This complete set was phenomenal, yet they are definitely NOT for those who are looking to start working out for the first time because you will get you butt handed to you! I work out 3-4 times a day for 1 ½ hrs PLUS additional 2 mile run in the PM after work and let me tell you, I hurt in places I didn't even know existed from her routines... and all within a 30 minute workout! I must admit, these workouts are fast paced from the get-go, so pay attention. You will be hitting the pause and rewind button on your DVD player several times. Also, 4 out of the 5 DVD's require for you to have a Step board in addition to the hand weights, so be prepared to spend some money on "equipment".
All in all, if you want a challenging workout that is EFFECTIVE but in a short period of time, then this set is for you... oh and remember folks... FAST FEET! (inside joke...you'll get it when you buy the DVDs hahaha)

If born in an Eastern European country, Jillian might have been a top-notch Olympic athlete. The commercialism of the American culture dominates her writing and professionalism. The two certificates of "Personal Trainers" she possesses attest to her detraction by her local culture. Her talent in performing exercise far outmatches any acquired credentials.

The chapter on exercise, which shows her best accomplishments, is pushed back to the end of the book. The book begins with a mediocre chapter on science that contains useless 80 pages on recipes and unscientific tests of metabolic types. Worse yet is the book cover with a dark background that conceals the real beauty of an attractive and lively young woman.

The end of the book contains chapter on supplements which shows healthy skepticism of unsubstantiated commercial aids of weight loss and fitness. In her conclusions on the chemical approach to health, the author proves her ability to question the ill-intention of consumerism on preying on unwary health seekers.

The real contribution of the book is the exercise chapter. Here, where the book scores solid 5-stars. The author (I guess) poses on all exercises and includes extensive and tremendously challenging techniques. Few of the outstanding exercises that are rarely found in other references are:

1- Thrust straight leg squat.
2- Scorpion push ups.
3- Jump squat.
4- One leg squat.
5- Dumbbell raises with leg lunges (perfect posture).
6- Frog raises.
7- One arm side Plank.

Although her deadlift with 5-pound dumbbell is both erroneous and misnamed, it does little to undermine her skillful exercise planning.

The only disappointment with that chapter on exercise is the black and white photos and the slim anatomical and mechanical details on the benefits and objectives of the exercises. Performance is where the author should have demonstrated her real talent instead of squandering it on meal recipes and unproven physiological tricks.

Jillian's high spirit is demonstrated on her facial expressions during exercising, which shows the real indulgence in her beloved hobby of performing. Her physique seems to have been shaped to suit powerful physical activity.

Mohamed F. El-Hewie
Author of
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training

I am a Jillian fan so I had to buy her book the day it came out. I am a almost a 3rd of the way through and I did my first pull ever... in my whole life and I have lost 7lbs in 10 days.

Here are the pros: The book's diet and fitness plans are detailed, individualized, thorough, motivating, informational, effective.

Here are the cons: I don't have much time to cook all the meals on the menus. She does provide quick to go options for breakfasts and snacks, but I wish there were more for dinners on the go. She also gives you a list of foods that are right for you so you can at least use that when out at a restaurant.

All in all a great book!

First, let me say you don't need a gym membership for these exercises. I suggest going by a bookstore and taking a look at the exercises and what equipment they require. If you are experienced with the exercises, you could use resistance bands instead of cable machines at the gym. If you wanted to do this routine at home I suggest buying 3 different weights of dumbells, starting at 5 lbs, a stability ball, resistance tubing- 3 different resistance levels, and a step.

The routines are hard circuits and they do require at least 45 minutes if everything is done correctly. There are a lot of plyometric exercises in this routine- think jump squats. This circuit is like a cardio workout combined with weights all at the same time. I kept my heart rate monitor on one day and my HR stayed elevated the whole time. She does say in the book that nothing can be skipped in her program and she is 100% correct.

The nutrition section is helpful, but the recipes are very complex. Jillian starts with a quiz to find out what kind of metabolism you have and the foods that will fit you best. It is ok- I don't follow that word by word though. I suggest the The Eat-Clean Diet: Fast Fat-Loss that lasts Forever! for a good, solid nutrition guideline.

Overall, this is a good workout, but it takes time and commitment!

I loved the show biggest loser and really wanted to lose those last 10-20 pounds and tone up. WOW! I thought I was in shape before I started this book and man, I was not working out to my full potential at all! These work outs are HARD, but GREAT! I am two and a half weeks in and have lost 4 pounds. I haven't measured myself since the beginning, but my clothes are fitting looser and all the muscles in my body are tightening up. The pounds don't come off right away. You need to cut calories and build muscle. Then the new muscle burns more calories when you are doing daily activities. I didn't lose any weight for the first week, so hopefully more will come off soon!

I have not been following the meal-guide exactly, mostly concentrating on my calories. The meal plans are hard to follow in a house-hold of one or two. I was afraid if I bought all the food I needed to complete a week, it would go moldy before it was gone! I chose a couple breakfasts, lunches, and snacks and followed those consistantly, instead of having something different everyday. I tried most of the dinners and they were great! The meals are all easily adaptable to what your grocery store has in stock. For the balanced oxidizer, I eat cottage cheese or cereal for breakfast, a turkey wrap for lunch, half an apple with PB for snack, and fish/chicken with veggies for dinner. Jillian introducers a lot of different low calorie sauces to put on the fish, chicken and veggies that taste great!

I would definitely recommend this book if you are wanting to lose a little weight or are stuck in a work-out rut!

WOW WHAT A FITNESS BOOK, MAN I HAVE THIS BOOK 5 DAYS NOW AND MAN IS IT WORKING OR WHAT!! JILLIANS TAKES YOU THROUGH A 30 DAY STEP BY STEP FITNESS STRUCTURE THAT WORKS! I HAVE TRIED SO MANY OTHER BOOKS OUT THERE AND THEY ARE JUST NOT THE SAME AS THIS ONE. THE BOOK READS EXTREMELY WELL AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS GIRL IS PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT SHE DOES,

THANKS A MILLION JILLIAN, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

I am on the fence about this book. I have struggled with weight my entire life and about 3 years ago I managed to lose 40 pounds by exercising and eating right. I am at the point now where I'm struggling with those last 10-15 pounds. When I saw this book, I thought it was perfect since it's geared towards those who have those last 10-20 pounds to lose.

The first week or so into the plan was fine although I must admit I altered the food options because I cannot fathom the idea of eating meat/chicken more than once a day! The workouts are REALLY extreme so be forewarned, you will work your butt off for sure. After about 10-14 days into the plan, I lost about 7 pounds but that's about as far as it went for me. I did not like the food options and just wound up sticking to my daily calorie intake.

Overall, I wasn't satisfied with this book. The book's claim to have a beach body fit to run a bikini by then end of the 30 days is highly unlikely. I completed the 30 days back at the same weight I was when I started and not in any better shape body wise. I have learned that everyone's body is different and you need to go through some trial and error to see what works for you. I suggest you read through some of the daily food/workout plans to see if this is something thay you can incorporate.

I am in day 27 of 30 days and have lost 15 pounds using this book. I have "improvised" a little on the menus to make shopping easier, but have stuck to the general meals. The workouts are tough, even though I already work out regularly. They add a new challenge to my old routine.

There are a few "typos" in the workout section, but you can figure it out.

Overall The plan has been a huge success for me, and I would reccomend
this book . Just don't cheat and you will lose weight and tone up.

It has some good exercises in it but when trying to do the circuits the exercises listed do not have the page number listed beside them so that you can look them up to see how they are done. You waste time going back and forth trying to figure out how to do them. After a while you get to know certain ones but seems like every couple workouts she throws another new one in and then you spend time looking up the exercise and trying to figure out how to properly do it.
I'm on day 18 or so & I haven't noticed much change in my body. Some of the exercises require certain equipment that you probably don't have in your home like a lat machine and a machine you can do hamstring curls on.
I would not purchase this book unless you have a true die-hard body builder kind of mentality. Definitely some tough stuff here.

After developing a strong workout ethic after 35 consecutive 30 Day Shred workouts, I was ready to find out Jillian's point of view regarding diet.
The book begins by making clear that it is for those with 20 pounds or less to lose. Jillian empahsizes the importance of strict adherence to the program in text peppered with what I will call "Jillian toughisms" (e.g.,"....Over the next 30 days you are mine, and this is your bible....", "..., skipping any part of this book is NOT AN OPTION....").The book continues with a fitness test, explanations of how to take body measurements, and information on the importance of counting calories.
Central to the book is a 49-question Metabolic Typing Test that helps an individual determine their metabolic type and three separate 30-day meal plans (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner) for each of the three metabolic types...and recipes (15 breakfast, 38 lunch, 43 dinner, and 16 sauces, snacks,and sides).
The latter part of the book features 103 exercises (44 with photos of Jillian performing the exercise) to be performed in the 30-day routine(which includes rest days)outlined (while some of the exercises that use gym equipment can be modified for performance at home (e.g., dips and tricep presses),not all can be modified (e.g., wide-grip lat pull-downs and leg presses))and a 7-day diet for shedding water and "getting ripped up for that jaw-dropping effect we all need from time to time." Note: the rountines DO NOT outline warm-ups or cooldowns. The only statement referencing a cooldown is "....And don't forget to stretch after your workout--remember to hit all the major muscle groups used that day." That being the case, you would have to devise a warmup that works for you and a cooldown that, as the book says, hits all the major muscle groups used.
This would be a good complement to any workout program. It provides good basic nutritional information, motivation, exercises that can be substituted for those in the 30 Day Shred workouts from time to time to keep them interesting over the long haul, and routines that can be alternated with any workouts.
Good offering.

The book gives information on nutrition, diet and exercise which is already known. The work out routines are good. In general,it helps give you that extra push to exersize with more intensity.The food menus weren't really my thing though. I'd have prefered a breakfast which doesn't require a lot of preperation and doesn't have meat. Seeing that most people go to work early and can't really start cooking omelets or sausages in the morning.I prefer something easy such as low fat milk and a bowl of cereal and i would also have liked two snacks, a fruit in the morning and on in the afternoon, rather than having that huge and heavy (for me) breakfast and nothing in between until lunch. To sum it up i genarally liked it.

I am already very fit, but wanted something to burn off some any residue of "muffin top" around my waistline. I was worried at first that being a TV trainer, this was going to be some namby-pamby workout. I was wrong! It is tough and it certainly requires effort -- effort that will bring amazing results. Many of the exercises are bodyweight only, some can be done with just dumbbells and modifications can be made if you can't go to a gym...but belonging to a gym is definitely the best way to perform this program.

Not for newbies to fitness, it is intense and effective. Out on the net, there are more expensive eBooks out there that promise the same benefits...this plan delivers at a fraction of the cost.

I love the book. Please be aware that this is not for someone just starting out. I thought I was in good shape but I am having a very hard time keeping up with the schedule. It gives me a goal so this is not a complaint. I am a vegetarian so I can't use the meal plans. Does anyone write low-fat vegetarian meals plans???? This is my only complaint. The book is exactly what I thought it would be and I am very pleased with my purchase.

I love Jillian's style of personal training and her advice to the 'Biggest Loser' candidates, which is why I bought this book. The receipes in the book are amazing and very easy to make. I especially love the fact that she includes shopping lists to make sure we get everything needed to make her receipes. What I didn't know about this book, is that it's not a "start from scratch" weight-loss plan. This book is for those who've hit a plateau and need to lose that last 10-30 pounds -- more of a "break through" weight loss plan. It still works, but it has a different goal that those trying to lose 70-80 pounds. Overall, it's still a great tool for weight loss.

This book has a lot of good info, but is definitely for the workout enthusiasts. The workouts are hard to follow - you have to keep flipping back and forth (making Jillian's timing of the workout almost impossible). The recipes seem promising, but the calorie counts are not very accurate (with what you can find in a "regular" grocery store). A recipe that said each serving was 124 cals - actually ended up being 406 per serving when I calculated it with the brands that I found. Just be aware that you may have to adjust the serving size... Overall, I am glad that I read the book. I will do the workouts that she suggests (just maybe not as fast as she wants). I believe that my body will still benefit from it - especially since I have more than 30 days to reach my goal. I suggest checking this out of the library before you buy it. You may love it, or you may not.

I've only been doing this for a week and I ALREADY see amazing results. Before Jillian I would go running for like an hour every day and do free weights at the gym, but this book really steps it up. I am finally starting to lose that unnecessary ten lbs and look the way I've always wanted to look!

-Michelle

This is a great book if you've been working toward your goals and haven't yet found what will help you finish losing those last few pounds of fat! I've been working with a nutritionist and diligently exercising for over a year now. I've lost inches and increased muscle mass, but haven't been able to decrease my body fat percentages during the last few months. In reading, I've found a few changes that I need to make in regard to my metabolism type. This is a great book if you're aware of what needs to be done, to alter and make better,the changes you've already made to your lifestyle. This book isn't for the person who lacks self-motivatation or for someone who isn't regimented with diet and exercise already. I especially like some of the advanced exercises!

Excellent book. There is a quiz at the beginning to determine what kind of diet works best for you and the workouts are intense, but absolutley do-able! This is a very valuable tool if you are truly commited to changing your body & mind. Lots of motivating quotes and solid info.

When I found this book I had the feeling that I'd found exactly what I needed to get rid of the extra jiggle in time for my wedding day. I've never been the type for a gentle coaxing fitness style, I needed something grueling and difficult. I was disappointed in the fact that few of the recipes were vegetarian friendly but I was able to do my own modifications. I was also a little perplexed at the amount of equipment I had to buy to do the workouts: dumbells, a fitness ball, a step deck, jumprope and all of this excluded the gym-necessary workouts. Again with some research I was able to find modifiers to be able to do the exercises at home. All in all the book was great, I was able to lose a little over 15 lbs in a month, WITH some slacking...I guess I lost a little motivation having to branch off to other sources to be able to follow the book, I feel otherwise I would have lost more. It still gets the job done though, I recommended it to all of my bride-to-be friends and anyone that asks me what ' my secret' is.

I bought this book only after I read all of the reviews on amazon!
I am an avid runner and run about an hour a day, six days a week. I rarely due any weight training or any other exercise besides running. I needed something to push my body out of its comfort zone and get my muscle memory confused so I could see results.
After the first day I could barely walk, and it seemed everday after that was the same story. Jillian uses so many unique exercise that you body doesn't have enough time to gain muscle memory, which continually challenges your body. She talks about doing the 45 minute circuit training program followed up with an 45minute- 60 minutes of cardio later in the day (to increase metabolic burn).
The food program was a great start for me to remember what I should be eating and help me re-learn portion control. I really like the concept of eating clean (no preservatives,hydrogentated fats and oil). Every recipe I cooked was a winner, even my boyfriend (he is very picky) loved the food. I will definately being using the recipes for a long time. I also started to notice that a lot of the food I bought for the diet had the Bob Green Best Life seal of approval on the packages, FYI.

I tried to follow the diet as best as a could, however I did cheat on more than one occassion (not the best idea to start a diet before x-mas). I found that working out twice a day was difficult with my long hours and chaotic work schedule but I was at least able to get the circuit training done everyday.

I would like to also address the other comments about needing a gym. I am always on the road for my job and a gym is always not in access. I compromised by lifting water bottles and using a resistance band to accomplish most of the exercises. So if you don't have a gym membership don't fret just be creative and find alternatives. I found that having two small weights to due the exercises would suffice,a body ball, and a resistance band. No treadmill, no problem, just open your door and run outside for 1 minute.

After all is said and done I saw amazing results. I lost 3% of my body fat, lost 4 lbs, and went down two pants sizes (hello size 0!). My abs are incredible, and my whole body is a lot more toned up. I new things were looking good when I went into a store and a girl asked if I was a personal trainer, and if I could train her! If you are in the same exercise rut, as I was in, then this is for you. Get that body that you deserve!

i would have liked this book except that it does not include any options for being a vegetarian on this eating plan.

This book was definitely worth my $17. I read the entire thing shortly after I got it, and, while I am a vegetarian and have not been following the nutrition plan, I've been following the macros for my "oxididation" rate (which is slow...go carbs!). I agree that some scientific evidence there would be nice, but I completely agree with what my personal outcome is. In fact, the whole beginning of the book was little more than validation for me, I was happy to see I am doing everything right as far as diet is concerned.

As for the people who complain about it not being friendly to those who don't have a gym membership, and it being difficult to find the exercises...I'd surmise you probably aren't ready for this book. SO many of these exercises can be done at home with little to no equiptment, and if you aren't at the stage yet where you can make a smart substitution when there is an exercise you can't perform with what you have, you probably shouldn't be buying this book. At that same token, if you can't plan ahead and have the exercises for the day laid out in advance, you need some better workout management.

The workout is tough, I started out as "Average", so I am interested to see where I end up once it is over.

The one thing I do wish there was, is a suggestion on where to go from here. The program is designed to get you to your peak. That's awesome, but how about some guidance for after that? (or maybe write another book, Jillian????)

That's my only suggestion, I love Jillian and her book otherwise :)

A great read with no nonsence advice on how to shed the last few ponds leading up to any event. This book is not for the fainthearted it is bloody hard work but it works if you stick to the diet and exercise plan.
Includes day to day eating and exercises for differing body and eating types. Has excellent images to help you through some pretty challenging weights and cardio moves. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes hard core work that gives fabulous results. Jillian is the best!!!

This program is only for the serious goal-minded person! I am average athletic and wanted to drop a few pounds, but mostly get cut. I did it in 30 days. All by myself. No expensive trainer needed! It is important to read this book throughout before starting. It helps to have a gym membership or a home gym with all items needed. I strongly recommend following the diet...the recipes are DElicious! You have to be driven and focused and if you follow thru you will have AMAZING results! Trust me :)

Making the Cut is an awesome workout that includes a 30 day meal plan. It's a workout that can be done at home with band and 5 pound weights. I'm down 15 pounds and my body is looking better everyday

I have only a few days left on this 30 day program and without following the food list exactly I have lost over 12 pounds. Stick to the exercise program (which will challenge you), use the daily food list as a "guide" (can be expensive to buy and cook everything listed, however there are some great recipes) and this book will do wonders for you. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Compare the information in this to all the other books that are out there and this will come out on top everytime. Still, just buying the book isn't enough, you still have to get out there and do the work. And yes, alot of the exercises are using gym equipment, however these can be modified quite easily to be done at home. No treadmill for sprints? Jump rope for 3 minutes instead. People saying "I don't have access to a gym so it's no good" are just making excuses. IF you really want results, this book will get you there.

I just completed her program, and I must say at times it was really tough. But it was 100% worth it. Her workouts will DEFINITELY kick your butt into shape! It's a program consisting of 5 circuits for each days workout.

I didn't so much follow her exact meal plans, but I followed her nutritional guidelines when it when it came to what percentages of carbs/fats/proteins. And I also counted calories, as she recommends.

It all I lost 9lbs and quite a few inches off my stomach!

I did a couple of the first days workouts at home, but the rest I did at the gym. I would say it's probably possible to do it all at home, but you'd have to be creative & have some equipment. It's best if you have gym access.

The only downside was she doesn't have pictures of EVERY SINGLE exercise. But you could easily YouTube or Google them to find out.

If you have the discipline to commit to this, and like a detailed plan, then this one's for you. Good luck!

Let me tell you. This is the best workout I have did in a long time. Don't get discouraged if you cannot do everything right away. Be creative and improvise if you don't have a gym and try to keep moving. Both my husband and I are doing this and have seen the results. We have our own diet that we stick by so we aren't using the diet but love the workout.

Two facts about this book will help you decide: 1)It's HARD work people! She KICKS your butt! and 2)It WORKS!
I've lost 55 lb in the past three years, most of it in the first year. And I was SO bored with my work-out routines. I had very little motivation to work out and that was a scary thought!
I was already at my goal weight when I started but now I've also lost 5 more pounds and my pants are falling off!
When she says you will see a difference in how your clothes fit the first week, I was very skeptical! But she's right! After only five days I noticed a difference!
I didn't use the recipes because I've already got a diet plan that works great for me, and according to her oxidizer quiz I've been right on track. But I always substitute things in recipes! If you want vegetarian you aren't going to find someone who will tell you EXACTLY how to make it that way, it's up to you to figure out what you like best in your food.
The other issue I see in previous reviews in this book is whether or not you need a gym. I think another reviewer said it right: If you can't figure out how to modify the workout to do from home, you aren't ready for this book. But PLEASE don't be discouraged about it! Go and get her first book, get started and before long you'll be ready for "Making the Cut".
The workouts are supposed to take 45 minutes, but they usually take me an hour because I have to set up equipment and move things around. You will need some space to do the work-outs.
Jillian kicks some serious butt! She KNOWS what she's doing!

I checked this out from the library before purchasing and I'm glad I did. Circuit training is one of the best ways to get in shape, but the circuits in this book really require a gym. As a short list the equipment needed includes: dumbbells (in at least 3 weights to do pyramids), resistance bands, exercise ball, exercise bench, back extension machine, pull up bar, dip station, leg press, cable/pulley station, leg extension/dumbbell station, lat pull down station, treadmill, medicine ball, and Bosu ball. Now, either you have a very well equipped home gym or you belong to a gym (and honestly, I've never belonged to a public gym that was really set up for circuit training, especially if you go at peak hours). My other complaint is the Exercise Index is set up with exercises grouped in categories (lunges, squats, etc.) which make it hard to find some of the exercises (frog kicks and terry pulls to cite two examples). While there are photos for the basic exercises, there are almost none for the variations (which are probably the ones that could really use photos). On the whole, I think the book is a good starting point if you want to see what a tough circuit workout looks like and with some work it could be adapted to suit the equipment you have. But, it is definitely not something you can easily grab off a bookshelf and start the same day.

You might not want to follow this book to the letter as it's a little demanding. The book does offer some great, common-sense nutritional and exercise advice though. It tells the truth about the fad diets, pills and supplements. There is also a great quiz to figure out how your body oxidizes food. With this info you can determine whether you need a diet high in carbs, fats, or a balance of each. Very interesting book.

The book has really good advice and workouts. The only problem is that I cannot read a workout and know how to do the exercises. I do better with an actual video or instructer showing me how to do the exercises. I ended up purchasing some of Jillian Michaels workout videos and love them.

It's the workout in this book that should be receiving praise!
I'm a triathlete who was looking for a fresh workout plan...did I ever find it here!!! Some of the moves left me trembling...it was awesome!!
Most of the recipes are good balanced nutrition...although, I'm not in a position to prepare hot lunches. I just substituted salads with lean protein.
I highly recommend this book to people that have a good fitness base and want to step it up!

I love this book..this workouts are intense..the diet part is easy to follow...but what I really love is the variety from week to week.

This book did not reveal much depth. It's really just the same old thing about watching what you eat and doing exercise and weight training. Same stuff you read in a fitness magazine. A big portion of the book is recipes - if you have read other weight loss / fitness books, you've seen this - save your money.

She says to not eat processed food, then recommends you buy carb conscious low-fat milk, fat-free American Cheese, and weight control oatmeal, huh? She does not back up any of her claims. Why does it matter what kind of oxidizer you are? Give me something to back up your claims.

While I liked the circuits, there's no way I would do them on my own, almost need a personal trainer to come with the book.

Great book for anyone who needs a little motivation to lose those frustrating pounds. I purchased this book along with the 30-Day Shred DVD and they are terrific together. Clear and easy to follow. I'm on day 14 and have already lost two inches around my waist. I highly recommend this book.

Jillian has a great dedication to her work and it shows in this book. You must be willing to commit to it 100%, which she makes very clear. I thought I would fall into this category as fitness and nutrition are high priority in my life. However, after reading the first section on Diet, I realized this wouldn't work for me.

CONS: I am training for my third Half-Marathon, thus running very frequently and relatively long distances. The calorie limits were extremely low for my daily activity needs. And in my non-expert opinion, extremely low for anyone, in general. I have tried calorie-restrictive diets before (lingering on 1200-1400 cals a day) only to see them really mess up my metabolism. On the other hand, this book is stated to be a 30-day regime and not intended for life-long use, so perhaps I should have considered this. Also, be prepared to give up alcohol in this regime! I require a beer as soon as the weekend hits, so this didn't work for me.

PROS: And there are lots of them...As I stated, with my Marathon training, I won't be following the regime exactly, as is REQUIRED by Jillian. But I still like this book because I find it truly inspirational and encouraging to read Jillian's words of advice and expert knowledge on fitness. I am definitely going to use her circuit training in my fitness routine - they are great exercises and there are lots of them in this book!! Another Pro - there are pages, upon pages of recipes! I love to cook so I really like this a lot. And lastly, Jillian has lots of knowledge on fitness and how things affect your body, and she explains everything very thoroughly.

Overall, I don't regret buying the book and I enjoy opening it up for a motivational pick-me-up or as a great resource for healthy recipes and strength training.

I only give this a one star because it just isn't for me. There's just no way I would follow the meal plan. I'm not that dedicated. I love Jillan's DVDs, and I know she means business, but this book is just too much for me. If you are serious about sticking to her meal and exercise plans, then I'm sure it would be worth the money. If you are looking for a serious workout, then buy her DVDs. I can recommend the 30-day Shred and Biggest Loser Sculpt.

Jillian - you are a genius! I started your Making the Cut program on 1 December last year and I haven't looked back. Many reviewers seem to think that you need a gym to do this program but I disagree. I bought hand weights, a body ball and a resistance band and that was all I needed to adapt the exercises to be done at home. I followed the recipes exactly, and noticed considerable results after only 10 days. By the time I got to the 30 day mark, I was converted for life! Now 4 months later, I have maintained the weight loss and my fitness has improved even more. This is a tough program but if you want something that works - this is it!

I love this book, BUY HER DVDS PEOPLE. I started it, I was huffing, puffing, and wheezing. Seriously I was working out a tonne, running 10 miles a night and not dropping any more weight or inches, but since I got the video I've dropped another 8 lbs (in 3 weeks) and 3 inches off my waist, 2 inches off my chest, an inch off each arm, and 1/2 an inch off each thigh, not to mention 3 inches off my hips. I am burning all over every day, but it is good, and every time I do this workout, I push myself a little harder, dip a little lower, crunch a little harder, and it is still a challenge for me!
Love it love it love it!!

All I can say is this book rocks! Jillian really knows her stuff and I like her fierce style. Her style really works for me, being an athlete for most of my life and then getting lazy in my 20's, I really needed somebody to say "get it together and get fit". I am on day 4 of this program and I have already lost 5 lbs. I feel great, I haven't been tired, hungry or anxious at all. This book really caters to those last 10-20 lbs you want to lose. You really have to want this to make it work. It is pretty hard core diet and workouts. I wasn't sure that cutting my calories would work for me but the foods she suggests really keep you full and you don't have to cut anything out except the bad stuff like booze, junk food, "white" carbs etc as you should be anyway. I am actually exercising about the same amount of time as I have been in the past (50 min daily) but I am dripping sweat and my muscles are exhausted at the end with Jillians butt-kicking moves. It is a combo of weight training and cardio bursts with a 15 min cardio session at the end. You need to buy this book! Oh and i've seen some comments about needing to go to the gym. Not true, I do everything at home. If you are ready for this program then you will already know how to tweak the moves for home use and probably have the weights, ball, bench needed anyway OR you are already a gym member. This is not for the new exerciser!! Good Luck!

This book is not for whimps! I am 43 and pretty fit and at first the book made me feel VERY unfit. It seems to be for much younger people. I decided to give the program a try and every muscle in my body hurt on day one and it took me 45 minutes to do each circuit just once. At first it's pretty complicated, so you have to spend a lot of time going over the exercises in your head and I printed them out for each day to take to the gym with me. Many of the reviewers complained about the exercises, but I find that you can modify most of them, but you do need some work-out knowledge. This book is NOT for beginners new to pumping weights! It can all be figured out with a little time. Don't think you can pick up the book and start the program. It takes a lot of preparation before hand to know what your are going to do ahead of time. I couldn't even do one real push-up to start with, due to a dirt bike crash a few months ago. I decided to give it a shot anyway at my own pace and in just one week I can tell that I am MUCH stronger! I intend to finish the 30 day work out, but only do 1 set of each circuit for starters. I'm sure that I'll be able to move up to the recommended 2 times each circuit, once I get used to the exercises and get stronger. I'm sure if you can keep up with this work-out you will see extreme results. The diet looks really good, but I am not following it at this time, but I am following many of the guide lines Jillian suggests. She is right on with me being a fast oxidizer! I also found that the supplement section was very interesting, so I am trying a few of her suggestions there also. If you are SERIOUS about getting fit and ripped then buy this book!!

I am a exercise grue and this book is awesome. I had some extra pounds that just would not come off with any other exercise program except Jillian's. It will push you to your core but, it is so worth it you will hug yourself for completing it. She also has some great recipes as well. A must read.

Her approach makes sense to me in the fitness area but her exercise routine is difficult to line out and follow from the book. Gave up at the gym in fustration and embaressment. Tried to join her websit not user friendly with her new book.

I followed the 30 day plan a month back and was very successful with it. I made a few modifications. Instead of doing the workouts in the book I did workouts from Jillian's "30 Day Shred" dvd (amazing by the way!). Having had an appendectomy two weeks before going on the plan, the workouts in the book were out of my reach. Actually the first week I didn't even work out, just stuck to the meal plan, and I still lost weight!

After making a grocery list of the items I would need to make her exact recipes, I realized that I had written down around 100 items and decided that I didn't want this diet to put me in the hole financially. Instead of following her exact meal plan I picked a few simple recipes of hers that I liked (Moroccan Chicken especially) and created some of my own. I always stayed within my calorie range and balanced my protein/carb/fat ratio as Jillian did in her meal plans. I admit that I never really felt hungry, though sometimes the meals got boring (maybe her recipes would have been more exciting). I was religious in staying away from alcohol for the entire 30 days, which was really tough but totally worth it.

Results: I weighed 141 lbs on day 1 and weighed 130 lbs on day 30. At one point in the last week I got down to 129, which was the first time I had seen the 120's on the scale since the 5th grade! Making the Cut definitely got me in the best shape of my life. I have been off of the plan for a month and maintaining the weight loss has been difficult, but at the same time I haven't been an angel. I have put a few pounds back on, but now I know what to do when I want to take them off again. Making the Cut was a challenging experience. It was a test of my will power, but I proved to myself that I could do it. That was the most amazing part of it all.

I would recommend this book to anyone who really is motivated to change their appearance. I've tried many different fitness plans and they all reverted to the same thing: no change. Jillian really gives you the tools you need and a guided 30 day plan of eating, exercise, and motivation. It's was very easy to follow and she only has you become more aware of what you are eating by reading labels and learning what is put into your food. I have continued exercising even after reaching a weight loss goal of 18 pounds in 30 days. I also continue avoiding the "fat" foods discussed in the book. It has motivated my co-workers and my family! I'm leaner everywhere and can see it with my own eyes. I dropped 6 sizes! My body is sculpted in places I've been trying to improve for a long time. Buy this book...there will be NO regrets!

I loved the workouts in this book. I'm on day 28 of 30, and I am so much stronger than I was before. I have visible definition in my arms, legs, and back that wasn't there. I even have pretty visible abs.

I didn't do the diet because the foods were kind of gross, and it didn't work out with at-home dinners (husband's not doing the book, and it's a hassle to make two dinners or have him make his and watch him eat something much more appetizing to me). Even so, I got results. I lost about 3 pounds (again, I didn't do the diet, so I'm sure I would have gotten the promised results if I'd totally committed).

Bottom line: these are great exercises. Yes, you need access to a gym for some freeweights, but it's worth it. Also, I'm not sure who's serious about fitness and doesn't have access to a gym/freeweights. At any rate, even though the program's over, I'm going to work in a pair of her workouts once a week into the future. They're great, and so much better than just lifting one day then cardio the next.

A note on the pushups - I NEVER could do push ups before, but I can now. Even so, the plyo pushups where you're supposed to clap in the middle are still impossible for me. I've stuck with the plan, and I'm just plain not strong enough for those. That kind of thing is the exception, not the rule, I've found with her exercises, though.

Oh, and I didn't start out awesomely in-shape before the book. I've seen reviews saying this is for tiny skinny girls or gym rats, and it isn't. I weighed 150 pounds at the start, and usually just walk or do elliptical or do light weighlifting at the gym.

Highly recommended!

Grade-wise, I would give "Making the Cut" a B+. It definitely qualified as an "easy read", was well organized and maintained my interest. I found Jillian's personal insights both uplifting and supportive: Don't beat yourself up- keep positive thinking & good choices ongoing- plus a sprinkling of little tips for staying on track. Her dietary approach utilizes a metabolic typing test that determines if you are a Slow, Balanced or Fast oxidizer. My personal Dilemma #1- I scored equally- as both a balanced & fast oxidizer. So I thought- let me examine the menus and have my taste buds be my guide. Quite frankly- both diets looked just as great(I'm very food friendly). My next strategy: O.K. I'll go with the menu that contains the easiest recipes. It was then I discovered my main (& minor) beef with the book. The serving size for each recipe varied between 1 and 6 servings. Example, There was no way I would ever want to make 6 servings of "Scrambled eggs with Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Chives"- this and many of the other selections were just not good "Left-over" prospects- I could just envision the (refrigerated) overnight texture changes: wilting, leaking fluids, and soppiness- not pretty. Why not simplify life-and just provide all recipes in a "1 serving size" portion? I don't mind doubling it on my own... however, dividing everything by 6, is annoying. The remainder of the book is very well done- geared towards maximizing your work out benefits. Body types and strategies are touched upon - an intriguing array of routines are explored- and an easy reference exercise guide (with photographs)is included. If you have injuries- proceed with caution. The concluding chapter of the book touches upon the do's and don'ts of supplementation. All in all- a good book-just keep your calculator handy for those "super sized" recipes.

I was inspired to begin exercising during my successful weight loss and new perspective on life I got from The 3:00 PM Secret. I wanted to add to my exercise routine, so decided to check out "Making the Cut" by strength trainer Jillian Michaels (NBC's The Biggest Loser). This is a clear, no-nonsense 30-day program that targets people who are in good shape already but want to lose the last 20 or fewer pounds and get into fantastic shape! To follow the program, you should already be knowledgeable about weight training, which I was. The book does not seem to be targeted toward those wanting to lose a lot of weight.

The diet is based on her theory about whether you are a slow, balanced, or fast oxidizer. Slow oxidizers need more carbs and fast oxidizers need more protein. The book has three different menus with recipes. The diet is strict, regimented, not vegetarian, and calorie conscious, and requires time and planning. Fast food is not allowed! She provides shopping lists and you cook your own meals. The usual suspects are out - sugar, white flour, etc.

The exercise is aggressive, intensive weight training and cardio. You use free weights, body ball, a step, etc. There are variations of familiar exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, jumping rope, etc. I got new ideas from her workout and found it helpful.

To follow the book completely, you begin the program by assessing your metabolic situation - are you a fast, slow, or balanced oxidizer. Then you customize your diet regimen. You also assess your body and fitness level. The author recommends taking photos, body fat measurements, and measurements with a tape measure. She provides fitness tests to evaluate your current condition including a 3-minute step exercise followed by a heart rate measurement test, a test of how many push-ups can you do in a minute, and a test of how many sit-ups can you do in a minute.

The book is designed so that if you follow it precisely, you can achieve the best body of your life. It is an excellent book for those who seek this type of serious, physically-demanding diet and exercise program where everything is spelled out. I can recommend this book. I also recommend an additional book which changed my life, THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong Live Your Dreams and also The 2007 Second Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective

I recently finished Jillian's 30 day program for getting cut. It was a great intense work out program that truly showed results. I did not follow the diet because I did not have time to mess with the meals and recipes but kept to my own diet plan. Still the muscle chiseling that occured was amazing!!

I would recommend this to anyone who has the discipline to keep up with the 30 day plan. Access to a gym is crucial but only for half of the regimen. The other half I did at home with my own equipment.

Today at the dentist office a mutual friend commented that I not only looked in great shape but "cut." That was the ultimate compliment to my hard work and testament to the effectiveness of the book.

Thanks Jillian! I couldn't have done it without your motivation and awesome circuits!! Great results after only 30 days!!!

This book is totally awesome. The book has tons of really good info. The excercises are really challenging which is excactly what I need, but also really efficient as the circuits take anywhere from 45 min. to an hour. And the meal plan is totally yummy! Doesn't feel like I'm really depriving myself.

I do have one question: Does anyone know what "Smart Start" is? It is used in one of her recipes for the Apricot Glazed Chicken. Thanx! :o)

If you are serious about losing those last stubborn kilos(pounds)then this is the program to follow! You must have quite a good fitness level already but even I thought I was fit as an instructor myself and I found it challenging! Really great program with excellent progression and great dvd to go along with it, not for the faint hearted though. Believe me this works well. Enjoy the results.

I love that it has the days written out for you to follow along for your diet and though I never would have put those recipes together on my own, they are actually very tasty!

I am impressed with certain aspects of this book. But I do have alot of questions (and unfortunately it looks like the only way to ask her questions is to pay $20 to join her online club).

There are no alternatives described for vegetarian--all I want is the recommended substitute--if the recipe calls for chicken, would it be better to use tofu, seitan, tempeh, etc? Even if I wanted to introduce some meat in to my diet, there is no way I would eat it every day.

My other question surrounds how to use the book and her 30 Day Shred DVD in conjunction. It would be nice to know how she thinks the two things go together--both say you get results in 30 days, and I'm sorry but the workouts are quite different, at least in terms of length...

I may come back and change my review, once I've had the opportunity to put her ideas in to practice. I just wish I could get one e-mail exchange with the author!!

This is not a weight loss book, but a book for people who have already either lost all their weight and want to tone, or for those who do not need to lose weight, but want to rip your body up.

She has some quizzes that allow you to determine what type of oxidizer you are and a diet plan to go along with it. I also liked how she teaches you not only methods, but also wonderful recipes and clear direction.

For me the structured work outs with actual photos made it easy for me, since I often do not know how to use all the gym equipment.

Lastly, the book is large and really nice looking, which was a bonus.

I am at the end of my first week, and I have already lost 7lbs. I am not starving, I'm working my [...] off in the workouts, and I am seeing results. I have modified some of the recipes to no great detriment. I have also found that many of the exercises can be modified for at-home working out. For example, instead of an exercise bench, a foot stool does the same trick. Instead of hamstring curls on a machine, I use a body ball and the floor.

I give this book a top-notch rating. It really works if you really put the effort into it and visualize your success.

This is a great book. It is a 30 day diet and excercise plan for people who are in shape but are having trouble getting really toned. It helps you find your exact number of calorie you need to take in. You take a quiz to let you know what you should be eating, depending on how fast you metabolize food. It includes a full menu by type. then theres a rigorous 30 day excercise program. For the most part you don't need gym equipment. It a lot of free weights and doing things with your body (planks different types of push ups). You do need somthing to use as a step (like the kind you do aerobics on) and a body ball. Then at the end of the book it tells you what kinds of supplements and diet pills work and don't work. There is also a seven day quick diet menu. I think this is for the purpose of if you are already in shape you can look as defined as possible in seven days... I havn't tried this.

This one works. Manyt don't. It's as simple as that. The one criticism I have of the book is that it doesn't present a sound plan for keeping the weight off and staying in shape. That's always a huge plus. I wish it had that, the basic tenets for getting in shape are here.

I've read lots of the diet books and tried many of the pfitness plans. This works better than most. Recommended.

I also recommend The Cardio Free Diet by KarasThe Cardio-Free Diet.

Jillian gives you everything you need to know to lose weight, this book pushed me past a plateau I had been struggling with for months. The book teaches you how to eat good,healthy food without feeling deprived. The exercize plan is challenging, you should already be somewhat fit before attempting. If you are and only looking to shed the last 10 to 20 lbs, this book is for you!!!

This is no doubt a great book! And I read it in 1 day on my Kindle. However, this book should be purchased in print format because of the tables, menu plan and other items are not viewable. And the menu is most definitely a must have! I bought it on the Kindle now I'm going to have to buy it in print form. What a waste of money to have to buy it twice!

I haven't completed the recommended 30 day period because unless you have your own gym at home with all the needed equipment, the workouts are difficult to perform in a public gym. I'm in the Army and we have all the equipment, however, like most gyms, the equipment is spead out in various rooms and locations in the complex. This makes it hard to complete workout in the 45 minutes that it is supposed to take because it is done in circuirt training style. I'm sure this plan will work, but it's just hard for those who don't have all the equipment in the same room to complete it in a timly manner.
Good luck! CSP

I recently bought this book from Barnes and Noble but am planning to return it. It's not a bad book at all -- in fact, it helped me to understand how I eat and metabolize my food -- but the book is designed for SHORT-TERM weight loss, not long-term maintenance (which is what I'm looking for). If you've got a 10-year high school reunion, wedding, or important event coming up and you want to drop 20 lbs. within 30 days, this is the book for you. (I'd also recommend Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred in conjunction with this for maximum and effective weight loss.)

I should also note here -- and she says this in her book, if you are looking to lose more than 20 lbs, you need to look elsewhere on advice on how to do that (she recommends her other book mentioned below). Making the Cut is only a temporary weight loss solution.

However, for those of you looking to lose weight and keep it off, this is NOT the book you are looking for. Instead I'd recommend Michaels' other book, Winning by Losing: Drop the Weight, Change Your Life or assistance from any of the other Biggest Loser books:

*The Biggest Loser Fitness Program: Fast, Safe, and Effective Workouts to Target and Tone Your Trouble Spots--Adapted from NBC's Hit Show!,
*The Biggest Loser: The Weight Loss Program to Transform Your Body, Health, and Life--Adapted from Hit Show!,
*The Biggest Loser Cookbook: More Than 125 Healthy, Delicious Recipes Adapted from NBC's Hit Show.

As I said, it's a great book that provides some great tips. I'd recommend it to people who want to quickly -- and temporarily -- get in shape and look good, but it's not a book designed for consistent, long-term use.

Jillian's book is awesome! I'm a female Marine who ordered this book while in Afghanistan and was able to do the 30 day plan over the space of the last 50 days of my deployment; I didn't have a lot of time, and I also didn't do much cardio at all either. I also had limited access to a gym, but I improvised the machine exercises with dumb-bells by simulating the same range of movement. I lost 10 pounds and got cut, and gained strength overall. I've been pretty busy since I got back and haven't exercised but 3 times in the last 3 weeks and I still have the body (I'm eating right which helps). I'm very impressed by Jillian's workouts - the plyometrics and combination weight exercises made me sweat hard and tightened me up in all the right places. This book is great for women who only have 45-60 minutes a day to exercise and who want a dramatic body change! Her pictures and descriptions of the exercises were very helpful. I made little index cards which I brought to the gym with me (instead of the big book). I didn't follow the menu, but instead just avoided sweets and processed foods, and I am very happy with the change in my health and body. Great book to bring on deployment!!

This is an intense workout and calorie-sparse diet program for those serious about having a fit body. The 30-day program is for people who want to lose weight and become stronger and more fit.

The exercise program requires some knowledge of weight training and involves a balance of cardio and strength training. You begin the exercise part of the program with an assessment of your current condition by doing a 3-minute step exercise and heart rate measurement, as well as testing how many sit-ups and push-ups you can do in a minute. The exercise includes the use of some gym equipment as well as free weights, body ball, and a step. The exercises also involve doing variations of squats, lunges, jumping rope, push-ups, and sit-ups. There are over a hundred different exercises, and they progress in difficulty over time, though even the early ones will make you sore. It is not just a strength training workout as there is a fair amount of cardio.

The author has a theory about how people "oxidize" food and provides a test to see whether you are a fast, slow, or balanced oxidizer. Her theory suggests that fast oxidizers need more protein and slow oxidizers need more carbohydrates. The book has three different menus with recipes (which make 10-12 servings) for each type of oxidizer. The three diets are calorie-controlled meal plans you must prepare at home and there is no fast food or junk food allowed. The food is designed for maximizing nutrition and minimizing calories. The book also provides grocery lists to make shopping easy. Note that the diets are not vegetarian.

The book emphasizes that there are no quick fixes to weight loss - just a lot of hard work involving calorie-restricted eating and effective exercise - but the payoff is the body you want. If you are ready for the time commitment of this strict, highly-scheduled 30-day diet and exercise program, it will deliver results. An additional approach, THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong Live Your Dreams. I recommend both books.

This book has proven to be more than just a purchase. It has become my motivation, personal trainer and fitness staple all in one! If you stick to it, it really shows some results. I also paired the workouts in this book with the 20 minute workouts from the 30 day shred on days that I didn't have time to make it to the gym...AWESOME combo! Thanks Jillian!

You have to be pretty motivated already to get something from this book. It is filled with hollow platitudes about loving yourself, blah blah blah. That's something you can't get from a paragraph.

The recipes are all over the map, and a lot of them make four, or six servings. Unless your whole family is on this plan, that makes it really difficult to just cook for yourself.

That said, it is effective in plotting a workout plan and showing you just how much you have to put into it to get something out of it. I appreciated the variety of exercises, and it is a kick in the [...]!

I was sceptical when I first picked up this book. I've tried a lot of things to lose the last 20 lbs. However, I have been very satisfied with the results. The eating plan was the most beneficial for me (big surprise, my portion sizes prior to reading the book, were way off). The recipes were quite good (and again, my expectations were low--but I was pleasantly surprised). The only part I did not like about the eating plan was that to this day, I cannot figure out what Smart STart is--I swore it was a cereal...but then a recipe told me to melt it--it didn't fit.

As for the workouts: I really liked the workouts. I could work out until the cows come home, in truth. The workouts are challenging and definitely not boring. I have to agree, however, with other people who have responded to this book--I would have liked to have had exercise modifications in respect to the equiptment. I didn't have all of the equiptment that was used, so I had to make inquiries to an outside source in order to find at home remedies that would work the same muscles she was working with gym equiptment.

However, overall, if you have the will, there is a way. I have found success with this book. I love her attitude, and her book kept me motivated.

The exercises are BRUTAL but after watching The Biggest Loser and seeing Jillian in action, it was just what I expected. I followed everything she said to do and lost 7 pounds in 1 month. Since then I've lost 3 more. I never thought I could lose more than 5 pounds and was stunned by the results. Jillian makes it easy by providing you with 30 days of meals and 30 days of exercises with descriptions for each exercise. I didn't even have to join a gym...I did all my exercises at home with free weights and a treadmill. It is the best book I've ever read on diet and exercise. If you want to drop 10 pounds in 30 days, this is the book.

the book was in excellent shape and just what I was looking for to help me lose weight .

I am on day 7 of this diet and exercise plan. The workouts are fantastic, will totally kick your butt. I feel a little naked with only doing 15 minutes of cardio, so I've been doing 30 instead. I do wish she would include a DVD showing each of the moves because I'm still not completely sure I'm doing every one right. But the proof is in the pudding. I am VERY sore the next day.

I agree with the other reviews in that the diet is the hardest part of this plan. I'm doing this on my own, so I don't need a salad recipe that serves 10. That being said, since I have to change the portion sizes for my BMR, I find that there's A LOT of food to eat, and I often can't get it all in. Sometimes, I just substitute a small cup of fat free yogurt instead of having an entire second serving of some of her meals. There are also a few meals that I can't eat because I don't like the taste at all, and when these come up, I substitute with another meal (in the plan) of similar calorie density.

With the exception of these diet changes, I have been following her program to a T. I haven't cheated at all, I've even cut out coffee! So why haven't I lost any weight? The first couple of days, I saw a huge weight drop, but then my weight went right back up to where it was before. Does anyone else have any experience with this? I'm pretty broke, so I didn't want to join her website, but now I'm having second thoughts...

I love Jillian! This is not a book for those looking to lose a lot of weight. It is more for those who want to get ripped! If you follow her program without modifiying it, you will get ripped and see very quick results! She walks the walk as you can see by looking at her!

I really found Making the Cut a great book with knowledge the general exerciser may not get. She goes into great detail about nutrition and workouts. It is definitely no book for beginners but for those already into fitness and looking for some great workouts, I highly recommend it. The workouts are [...] kicking and will have you crawling out of the gym when done properly. One of the few negatives I did find was with the nutrition plan. Most of the recipes are a bit too complicated for the average working person to deal with and are too time consuming to follow to a T. But the general ideas are great.

great book for shedding those last "fat" pounds and gaining lean muscle mass. Complete with diet, exercises, and recipes. Not for faint of heart, as Jillian makes you work!!!

Jillian's information is good. The metabolism assessment on whether you are a fast, slow or balanced oxidizer was very useful. I did feel there was too much redundancies on some material in the diet charts. All in all, it is a good book and REAL when it comes to weight loss and making changes in your nutritional lifestyle.

Love the book...... easy read, and I've been on Jillian Micheals 30-day plan for about 15 days and its not as hard as I thought it would be!! She makes a lot of sense and even if you can't follow her plan to the "t" its still an awesome start to me thinking about the better foods to eat!!

This book is truly for the hardcore exercise freak and I love it. I am a boot camp and spinning instructor and have found myself in a rut with little focus on my own routine. I read everything that comes out and I love Jillian's exercise section. The book is worth it for this alone. I do also follow her diet plan, but I take one day off (as the Body For Life plan recommends). This just works for me - Saturday needs to be a day off - within reason - if I am going to stick with anything. I have been doing this program for three weeks and I cannot believe I am actually sore. It takes a lot to challenge me. This is for the hardcore person who needs an extra push over the top. You need to love to work out hard. It feels great to do her exercises. I would love to see another book that outlines another set of circuits.

This is a great book. It will motivate you, and is fun to read.

This book has very good workouts that help tone every muscle. I was a college athlete and these circuits are still very challenging. I noticed that my muscles were tightening and I was looking leaner. The recipes are good but nothing I could ever stick to. They have too many serving sizes if you are just one person and require ingredients from organic stores which can become pricey. I would recommend this book if you are looking for something challenging or need to get in good shape.

I loved this workout. I have actually repeated it twice and am thinking about doing it again! It is fun, challenging and motivating. But, you do have to be in pretty decent shape to start with. This just gets you into stellar shape. I'll admit I didn't follow the diet. I was only looking for a workout. So, I'm sure the benefits are much better when followed correctly. But, if you are like me and need to challenge an already athletic body, this is for you.

My background: I lost a significant amount of weight (about 50 pounds) a few years back and have always struggled with that last 15-20 pounds that would really make me look great. I knew that Jillian understood how hard it is for people to lose that last bit of fat; I also knew that doing the same workout routine over and over wasn't going to cut it.

THE PROGRAM ABSOLUTELY WORKED in the following ways:
1. The workouts themselves are expertly designed and incredibly challenging. I saw definition in my shoulders and arms after 2 weeks. After 4 weeks, I noticed that the shape of my stomach was changing, and trust me, NO workout has ever accomplished that for me before.

2. Jillian isn't to wordy. She tells you exactly what to do. It's a handbook for action, not for theory. If you're like me and you've read a billion books about weight loss before, this is a relief.

I FOUND A FEW FLAWS WITH:
1. I am living in South Korea, and the shopping list is so incredibly American-ized that it's pretty much impossible to make any of the recipes in the book. I don't even have an oven in my apartment! However, I didn't follow any of her nutrition advice and I still lost 15 pounds and look fabulous, so it shouldn't be too much of a deterrant. It was just kind of a bummer.

2. As soon as I finished, I thought, "now what?" I'd really like to maintain my new fitness level, but im not sure how to continue. I can't just keep doing the program over and over (Can I?).

It seems like, to be able to maintain this shape, I need to buy another Jillan Micheals book or join her website. Good for her for getting all my money! But as it stands, I've never read a plan as good as hers before in my life, and until I do, she definitely has a loyal customer in me.

I just try to follow the diet for a week and it worked; I could already see a difference in my stomach I was so happy; however I'm not deciplined and I stopped following step by step on the diet, but I still follow the principles of this book. I highly recommend this book it has a valuable nutrional information such, it gives you a quiz to complete and from that it tells you what kind of oxidizer you are and which one of the three meal plans best suits you. If you follow the diets outlined in this book it will work!!!

Love the book only downfall for me in Australia is finding the brands or similar brands to some of the foods on the meal plan. I will continue to investigate before giving up.

Making the cut contained lots of great information which I have not yet put to use but that is no one's fault other than mine.

I plan on using it at some point in the future.

This book provides details on all areas of getting fit. Not just exercise and eating habits. It explains the exercises and foods and why they are effective. This book is a Bible to anyone serious about getting ripped.

This book is awesome! I was working out at the gym and eating pretty well, but I was losing about a pound or a pound and a half per month.
I read "Making the Cut" and followed the workout routine while counting my calories. In that month I went from 211 lbs to 204 lbs.
The circuit training described in this book has really opened my eyes as to what kind of training is possible and I will never go back to just sitting around and lifting weights.

Be sure to check out Jillian's Podcasts of her radio show on the internet (KFI 640am).

-Good Luck

Although she straight and to the point, which really made me want to work hard, the diet was difficult to follow. The "shopping list" didn't match the menu. I had some left over food. Also, I had to shop for extra food because they were needed in recipes but weren't on the list. It was very frustrating. I also bought the video, which is a great workout.

The first sections of this book describing the 30 day plan are good and they lay out the expectations for what you need to do quite clearly. But once you take the test and figure out what metabolic type you are the followup recipes and descriptions are confusing and hard to navigate. The recipes are organized by what meal they are for and within that category alphabetically, meaning that to get to the recipes that actually pertain to a particular metabolic type, you need to wade through ALL the recipes. Once I have established what type I am, I don't want to read about other types. It would be better if after they give the type description and the nutritional plan for that type, the recipes for that nutritional plan immediately follow.Additionally, most of the recipes seemed to be geared for families and not singles becasue they serve 4-6 people.The exercise descriptions could be more clearly illustrated, even ones that the author may consider "basic".

This book is excellent. I enjoyed reading it before starting Jillian's 30 day shred video.

I am very pleased with my purchase of this book. It is informative and VERY straight forward. She provides a diet and exercise plan to ensure sucess. To make it easier to find the exercise descriptions during circuit training - I would have grouped the exercises a little differently and tabbed the pages for easier reference - if you are unsure of the exercise, you have to stop and look it up and that takes away focus.Otherwise - LOVE IT!! (and the video!!)

This book is a challenge. I had to flip back and forth from the daily workouts to the pages that showed the exercises that I hadn't done before. Lots of flipping pages during the workouts. She recommends stretching after each workout for the day but I didn't find a section on particular stretching exercises to do. I know to stretch but it would've been nice to have ideas/examples in her book. I'm still using her book but have found I'm not doing the exercises in the 30 days time so take your time, don't hurt yourself, follow the exercises but work at your pace.

This book is great for someone who's ready to dedicate themselves to losing weight -- it's not a light read, and you need to do some work before you can read further along. I haven't had time to do that, so you need to make the time, but if you're serious and will be diligent, this book is for you!

I think this is a great book for loosing that little bit of weight. I have never been "big" but I wanted to get into shape for the summer and this book did it. The only thing I wish is that there were more pictures (some of the descriptions of exercises are hard to understand, after watching her DVD "30 day Shred" I realized I was doing some moves wrong). I also wish that rather then the recipes being in alphabetical order they were grouped by your metabolism so you don't have to look through all the recipes looking for you metabolism specific ones. Overall a great book that got me back into shape after 5 years of gaining some "comfort" weight.

"Making the Cut" is an incredible book that motivates you as soon as you start reading the first few pages. It's almost as if Jillian is your own personal trainer. I just had a baby and was struggling with the last few pounds and she has giving me the strength and will power to diet in a healthy way. The recipes are also great and delicious. So get ready to lose weight and change your life.

My cousin lost 45 pounds with this book. What is suprising she is maintaining her weight. I listen to her weekly radio show and she is the real deal. Nothing phony here. Also try Finger Licking Different.

There is no way I can say enough about this book. I am on my 3rd trip through it! I am so impressed with the circuits that Jillian has provided! A definite MUST HAVE for toned shoulders, arms, and abs!

This amazing book By Jillian Micheals had information in it i never knew about. It was extremely informative. It has everything I was looking for in a fitness book and more. By reading it I've come to realize how fast the fitness world is changing.

This book is very motivating and I like that Jillian says in the book, if you are not willing to do everything she says in the book then don't even start it! I know that I have to start it when I can commit 100% and I appreciate that she mentions it. If I want that last 20 lbs off I need to do it the way she tells me to in the book! So far I'm loving the book!

Skilled but dry, more for a hardcore athlete. I was more wishful than willing to workout this hard. Good for you Jillian, you look extremely fit. And Kudos to telling about the bad diet things you did, really I think you said, you can't really cheat to get to this level of fitness. DARN! SIGH... You superhumans!!! (joke)

I love this book. It is very helpful and has a ton of info. Not for beginners. If you are just starting out or need to lose a lot of weight by her first book. This is for people who need to lose those last few pounds.

Jillian knows here stuff, and she definitely steps it up a notch in her 2nd book. I am only on my 6th day of the workout, but feel this is sufficient to review at this point. I have always like