Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a Better Body - and a Better Life

by Bob Greene, Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey's emotional and physical battle with weight has been one of the most important issues in her life. After years of struggle, she found Bob Greene, an inspirational exercise physiologist, who helped her alter her lifestyle -- and renew her enjoyment of life!As Oprah insists, "It's not about dieting -- it's about changing your life". Now, in Make the Connection, Bob Greene shares the techniques he used to help Oprah win her battle of the bulge. Oprah helps lift the reader's spirits along the way, providing extra motivation in a set of inspirational personal stories about her own confrontations with each of Bob's "Ten Steps", excerpts from her diaries, and friendly advice on making and keeping your commitment to the program.

Also available is the companion to Make the Connection, A Journal of Daily Renewal, which provides a place for personal reflection with daily inspirational quotes, reminders, and checklists to help readers stick with the program.

Genres: Health, Fitness, Self Help, Nonfiction, Diets, Own, Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Bob Greene is a personal trainer who writes on health and weight loss. He works and writes with Oprah Winfrey.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is dated, it's still relevant and holds true to steps of a better body and better life.

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read parts of this book several times to get myself to workout. Of course, I don't have a personal trainer or a full time cook. However, the before and after pictures are an inspiration.

The most recent reading was to encourage myself. While many of the points are valid, there is far too much self acclaim.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've used this book and the audiotape for inspiration. At the same time, I don't think it is as much Oprah's story as it is designed and shaped to sell books. The before and after pictures are amazing. When I have a personal trainer and a chef, I will be as thin.

[Susan C Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember the ten steps...
1) Exercise Aerobically.. for me that means walking quickly (like I'm late for an appointment) 20 minutes a day.
2) Exercise in the Zone...don't just stroll when you walk, start with 1)then work up from there.
3) Exercise 20 to 60 minutes a day...right now 20 is about right.
4) Eat a Low-Fat, Balanced Diet Each Day...put those casserole recipes in the BACK of the recipe box.
5) Eat three Meals and Two Snacks Each Day...easy peasy, I just need to cut out my evening late night dessert.
6) Limit or Eliminate Alcohol...shouldn't be too hard...go easy on the brandy tomato soup.
7) Stop Eating Two to Three Hours Before Bedtime...good to remember.
8) Drink 6 to 8 glasses a water each day...hard to measure this. I just keep on filing up my sippy cup all day long
9) 2 Servings of Fruit, 3 of Vegetables each day...making the effort
10) Renew Your Commitment to Healthy Living Each Day...

Oprah and Bob Greene published this in 1996 and it was a bestseller, which is why I started reading it (I'm working on a list) but then discovered it was good for me. I would love to hear Oprah's thoughts on this book today.

[Marian · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I was a millionaire I could get Bob Greene to wake my fat ass up to lose weight too. Or if I was Bob Greene I wouldn't care if Oprah cussed me out as long as I got paid.... a glipse of Oprah's life as a formerly fat women and the struggles of being able to pay someone to make you lose weight. This also comes with a journal, but I would recommend going to Walmart for a 50cents notebook, so you can journal your feelings of loss and abandonment without food

[Kristi Claudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me laugh to rate this book BUT some basic concepts transcend time. This book is your best starting point!! I read it when I was 13. The application of this book changed the trajectory of my life. Don’t knock an oldie but a goodie!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the opinion of an "expert" dieter I did find myself in agreement with Bob Greene's overall 10 Step approach in developing life-long, healthy living habits. What I had a hard time with about this book is that overwhelming philosophy centered on Self Love, positive thinking, and mind/body connection. The assumption is that one should be able to convince themselves into a life of healthy choices. If that was the case I believe no one would suffer from weight issues. As a Christian I just can't adopt this as a motivation to sustain a commitment to changing behaviors. Ultimately without a devotion to surrendering to God's will the rest is just empty talk and a whole lot of effort waged on one's own ability.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am finding myself continuously reading this book as there are a lot of good tips in it. There are a lot of not specified motivational moments throughout the reading. I love how all the information can be applied to your life and you can easily see and experience the changes that need to be made to reach your goals. I have a tendency to have set backs at times, but I find myself going back to this book to regroup and pick up where I had left off. Definitely a good read for someone looking for that life changing motivational tips.

[Camiwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's kind of embarrassing to have read this book twenty years after the fact, but it holds some truths that don't get old! It offers some great reminders for someone like me (and obviously, Oprah), who finds living a healthy life (speaking mostly of weight) extraordinarily difficult. I am so glad to have read it. The end holds a great conclusion: whether or not you are at your goal weight/health, the most important things are to live in the moment and to choose joy!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story...I read the book in two days & was ready to go! Started on Friday morning with an early walk - got hit by a car! On my first day out! 10 years later - I'm ok. Ironic huh? LOL

[Dr. Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really hones in on the emotional aspects of over-eating. Very practical tips.

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ran my first marathon by being inspired by this book. If Opera can do I must be able to do it.

[Beth Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this gem 26 years later at a pre-loved book store. Of course, some of the information is outdated but much of the foundational knowledge holds true. I especially enjoyed the last chapter, which reminds the reader to live in the present and start each day on a positive note. All in all, a motivational and uplifting read

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve seen this book at thrift stores for ages and broke down and purchased it for $1.60. Good but dated info, some has been proven to work (heart rate up, importance of sweat) and some debunked (not all fats are bad, avocados can be ok). Easy read.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read and some helpful information. Much of the nutrition information is outdated. A good reminder of some simple, daily steps toward healthy living.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed! Great inspiration for healthy living!

[JoAnn Arnold]

Tape

[Maxine Pruitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I read these books, I can't seem to get motivated

[Lillian K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE. It explores all the intricate parts of a healthy lifestyle and has you motivated and happy by the end.

[Rosanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This actually ended up being discouraging because I believe it to be real. And yet I just don't think it is worth that level of time and energy required to be thins.

[Cindy Troiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know Oprah Winfrey, you know that she was a big yo-yo dieter. Bob Greene was her trainer and wrote this great book. He finally taught her how to manage her health. I loved it at the time around 1998 or so.

[Hannah Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things clearly dated, but had basic principles that I needed to learn.

Good book to change things up a bit. Easy to read.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taking the plunge with Oprah is a bit of a gamble, isn't it? As a diet guru, you know success is guaranteed when she decides to take up your challenge. But you might as well enjoy it while it lasts, because a once again ballooning poster-child can't be good for business.

Make the Connection was written in the nineties, meaning there's a ton of fun outdated pictures of a most jolly and slender Oprah either skating, kayaking, running marathons, swimming, bicycling or posing for fitness magazines. She keeps a honest journal as well, which provides the reader with information regarding her (binge) eating habits, early career and continuous depressing weight struggle. Oprah's contributions lift Make the Connection from the diet book swamp.
The Greene part isn't quite as good. Besides outdated fitness advice, corny food pyramids and blah suggestions such as "stop eating two or three hours before hopping into bed", he is all about "making the connection". In other words: you gotta love yourself in order to lose weight. He also points out that - preferably daily - exercise is of utter importance. And that's not all. You need to exercise in "the zone" to make the magic happen. Even then you're not there yet. You see, Greene also stresses that you need to exercise early in the morning, and that having to wake up at 4.30 AM in order to do so is not an excuse.
Well.. if you ask me, a little less processed foods and meat and a couple more walks in the park during lunch time might do the trick just as well.

[Ayana Mishelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is has excerpts from Oprah Winfrey's diary for example " I was sitting in hte fron row trying to keep my two fat kness together in a lady like position." She was being nominated for the Best Talk Show host !!!. I felt sad reading this. She said she was thinking who she would like to see win instead of her so that she would not have to walk across the stage fat. I am grateful I have love the skin I am in today. I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for my health. I am gratful I have two healthy knees. My friend Cindy just had knee surgery. I don't know how Oprah feels today or where she stands. I could not read the book . I could not listen to her complain. I simply could not bear it. I don't see the connect between a better body and a better life. I advocate loving your body and loving your life. Right here right now. "hate don't give you nothing but a bad feeling" My momma would have said something like that. I have had this book for a while. Maybe I will be able to read it someday. Today. I just want to love myself just like I am. I think I would feed my body healthy foods by loving it because what you love you take care of and what you hate you want to destroy. My momma would agree.

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, yeah...I read Oprah's fitness book. Quite an inspiring story, actually - and refreshing that a woman with her spheric influence tells the masses that there are no tricks - it takes balanced nutrition and consistent aerobic exercise to get in, and stay in, shape.

I go back to it now and then to inspire myself - especially moments like this summer, when I realize I've strayed from my goals and need to get back on track.

Oprah and Bob make you feel like you can do it. That goes a long way for me.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read two books by Bob Greene now and really like them. As someone who is committed to a healthy lifestyle, I find his approach re-affirming and I'm always more motivated after reading his suggestions. That being said, I think he uses Oprah as his one example of success... granted, the health that she achieved with him is significant, but it doesn't appeal to those who read the book who can't afford a personal trainer, no time to run marathons...etc. He tries to appeal to the every-man/woman, but c'mon, Oprah? A few more examples of success from his strategies would be appreciated.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, so much great information and inspiration to soak up. This will take some time to get through but well worth the time.

I am continuing to read and reread this book - it is inspiring.

I have not read and reread this book and if I can apply some of the good principles it will make a difference in my health I am sure. Oprah is a woman whom I admire and her connection with Bob Green and more importantly with herself is one that I think would improve all our lives. It is not about how much weight you loose but how you feel about yourself along the path.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had expected this to be some groundbreaking stuff. Or at least something to help me stay on track. Instead it was dated (not it's fault - it is after all, more than a decade old) and really little more than a giant suck-up to The Oprah.

On the plus side, it's uncommonly heavy for a book its size. Maybe because each page was printed on thick glossy card stock. So, the day that it rode around in my backpack I probably burned an extra 3 calories. So maybe it was worth it after all.

[kate]

completing my oprah book club spree - great information to build a foundation in order to get healthy and to keep weight off forever. Change your metabolism, learn how your body works, how to work out, when to work out, when to not eat, what kinds of things to eat/not eat - the science and the basics.

*Spoiler Alert:

You can't keep weight off without working out.

Sorry.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published in 1996. It really is the same old same old that I've read and sometimes practiced. Bob Greene is really into lowfat and nonfat foods. I think that has changed. If it wasn't for Oprah, Bob Greene wouldn't have a career. The book does give some good "diet" pointers, but many unrealistic ones--like no drinking and no eating 2 hours before going to sleep.