I purchased this book exactly 1 month ago, and after watching Melissa's instagram feed about writing a review, I'd figure I would do some updated reviews as I complete the guides.If you follow fitgurlmel on instagram, then you'll hear her personality through out the entire book, which is amazing. She's inspiring and motivating and helps you work on your demons FIRST before trying to change your body. I think that's what makes her so motivating because for one she knows the REAL struggles and second she's been there done that and the book is her how-to on weight loss and keep it off. She speaks on her motivation to losing weight, her pregnancy, her busy lifestyle as well as learning to dig deep inside yourself to make these lasting changes. We've all been there, lacking motivation, knowledge, and finding every excuse in the book to not work out or eat clean.So how does the plan work? She teaches you how to calculate your macros, and targeting your calorie intake for YOUR body. This isn't a cookie cutter program, she doesn't tell you numbers, instead she teaches you the basics for your body. In other words, you need to put in some work so you can figure out your personal intake. Which is great, because I believe everyone should know the basics on nutrition. All this is followed by a 6 months work out plan. She guides you week by week with what workouts to do accompanied by sets and reps. Before each week she gives you a sort of pep talk per se, where she motivates you, and guides your nutrition. Whether you need to add calories or reduce calories. All this is to accomplish a long lasting weight loss or weight gain goal. In my case weight loss, in which you may never have to be counting calories ever again.I've been working out regularly for the past 3.5 years, and I've been counting calories ever since, with noticeable changes, losing 30lbs. But I don't look as firm as I want, and I've always been low calories in fear of gaining weight. My hopes with her programs is to increase my caloric intake way much higher and have more muscle development. So far, I'm working my way in to week 3 and I can already start seeing some awesome changes. Her workouts, although simple are challenging. For reviews that say you NEED a gym to do the workouts...although the gym would be required, I have alternatives to do every workout. I've been using resistant bands and dumbbells to do the workouts. If you want to achieve a goal, there shouldn't be a hinderance to getting them done in my opinion. The workouts itself are challenging with or without a gym.Also note, she has a full recipe guide where she has her staple Japanese yam recipe. Although simple it's honestly delicious and it's because of her that I was introduced to this yummy veggie. She also gives you a how-to visual guide to all the workouts in the plan, which is helpful because it has directions on how to properly do each excise.Overall, I'm please to have this affordable way to have her train me haha. It's been worth the purchase, and I can't wait to see the results in a few months.Edit: 8/11/2020After several ups and downs, one week had to take off because of a medical procedure although I stayed consistent with my diet, I’ve seen significant changes in my body in terms of composition. My goal was to lose weight and I’ve lost NOTHING haha but I’ve gained in muscle and tonality. My calories are up 1400kcals to 1500kcals mainly because I’m scared to move up if I’m not seeing weight loss but after seeing the pics and moving into the 90 degree portion of the book I’ll be upping my calories :). So far so good. Excited to see changes in the next 8 weeks.