What are the Base Components of Diet First Weight Loss Program?

I recently participated in the 6 Weeks Body Makeover Program created by Michaeal Thurmond. I came away with a much better understanding of food than I probably had before.

In a lot of ways the concept built off what I learned in the Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson. The idea is basically that eating processed foods loaded with salt, sugars or white flour makes us fat, while eating naturally occurring foods such as fruits, nuts, vegetables, and meats tend to help us stay thin. One process of thinking I am more certain of now than ever is that old saying “don’t count calories, because calories don’t count” By being fixated on caloric intake over a deeper understanding of the differing internal processes caused by different types of foods, we often set ourselves up for weight loss failure.

Certain foods, such as sugar especially, tend to cause triggers internally within us to store more fat, while certain foods do the opposite. It is this second group of foods which is the emphasis of the 6 Weeks Body Makeover. Eating these foods regularly change your body’s metabolism from a fat storing to a fat burning machine. 

Having gone through Mr. Thurmond’s process and seen the drastic changes which occurred in how I felt almost immediately, I have tried to come up with some commonalities for weight loss programs that push nutrition over exercise.

First, you must have a detailed eating plan with choices. One of the key issues for any weight loss plan where eating is emphasized is you must have sustainability. The basic tenets of the program must lend itself to being done for a lifetime. One criticism I have about the 6 Weeks Body Makeover is the food that you are required to eat could use a little more flavor.  It’s not bad, but you may need to jump online and get some recipes that pass program muster. The good thing is they are everywhere.

Second, a weight loss program must deemphasize calories. The reason I say this is if the program focuses solely on calories, the likely result is you will end up coming away from a situation still feeling hungry. This is not sustainable and is most definitely not healthy.

Third, a program must have benchmarks that holds itself accountable for results. It doesn’t matter if it is 6 weeks, 6 months or a year, a good plan understands and clearly conveys what you should reasonably expect.