If you want to shed a few extra pounds and have been looking for a simple and straightforward diet plan, you will want to seriously consider the latest book by David Zinczenko and Peter Moore called"The 8-Hour Diet: Watching the Pounds Disappear Without Watching What You Eat!". This diet proposes an 8-hour period in which you consume all of your calories for the day, followed by a 16-hour fasting period. Exercise is also a part of the plan with only 8-minutes of physical activity recommended each day. The idea of 'intermittent fasting' is a twist on conventional logic and makes this diet unique.
8-Hour Food Window
The first thing for dieters to decide is when they want to eat. More specifically, lifestyle will dictate when to start and stop the fasting phase. In all likelihood, most people who try this diet will skip breakfast and start eating in the late morning. The authors suggest that your food intake be from a short list of lean, healthy "power foods". For people who have never fasted before, the authors recommend starting the diet for 3 days, then taking a 'cheat' day every 4th day until your body becomes accustomed to the new eating plan. With time, dieters can increase the length of time they stay on the program.
The Pros
There are four obvious advantages to the 8-Hour diet:
- although extreme, fasting is a recognized way of creating a calorie deficit and losing weight.
- with no food restrictions, dieters can still satisfy their cravings during the 8-hour window. This makes sticking with the program more likely.
- by its very nature of fasting and eating phases, it cuts down on 'mindless' late night calorie consumption.
- the 8-minute physical activity component will achieve results.
The Cons
As with most diets, there are a few drawbacks:
- the potential exists for overconsumption throughout the 8-hour eating window. If somebody binges on french fries and hamburgers for 8 straight hours, no weight loss plan will work.
- for people on the diet for prolonged amounts of time, the 8-minute exercise component could become problematic.
- any diet is simply a short term switch from a regular eating pattern. It is far better to have a regular pattern of healthy eating integrated into your lifestyle. Having said that, this program can initiate a change in behaviour that could last a lifetime. Many people gain back their weight at the end of a diet, and it is important to develop healthy eating habits while on the 8-hour diet to ensure that does not happen to you.
Summary
The beauty of the 8-hour diet is in its simplicity. The clock determines when you can eat, and the hope is that dieters begin to make healthy food choices when picking which calories they will be consuming for the day. Over time, the 16-hour fasting phase helps the body to recognize that late night 'grazing' is not really a symptom of being hungry, but rather a result of being bored. This is a good way to kick start a switch to healthy eating and is certain to help you drop a few pounds. The "power foods" can form a more permanent foundation for a life of healthy eating - if dieters make the connection between smart food choices and proper consumption levels, this diet will have accomplished something important.
8-Hour Food Window
The first thing for dieters to decide is when they want to eat. More specifically, lifestyle will dictate when to start and stop the fasting phase. In all likelihood, most people who try this diet will skip breakfast and start eating in the late morning. The authors suggest that your food intake be from a short list of lean, healthy "power foods". For people who have never fasted before, the authors recommend starting the diet for 3 days, then taking a 'cheat' day every 4th day until your body becomes accustomed to the new eating plan. With time, dieters can increase the length of time they stay on the program.
The Pros
There are four obvious advantages to the 8-Hour diet:
- although extreme, fasting is a recognized way of creating a calorie deficit and losing weight.
- with no food restrictions, dieters can still satisfy their cravings during the 8-hour window. This makes sticking with the program more likely.
- by its very nature of fasting and eating phases, it cuts down on 'mindless' late night calorie consumption.
- the 8-minute physical activity component will achieve results.
The Cons
As with most diets, there are a few drawbacks:
- the potential exists for overconsumption throughout the 8-hour eating window. If somebody binges on french fries and hamburgers for 8 straight hours, no weight loss plan will work.
- for people on the diet for prolonged amounts of time, the 8-minute exercise component could become problematic.
- any diet is simply a short term switch from a regular eating pattern. It is far better to have a regular pattern of healthy eating integrated into your lifestyle. Having said that, this program can initiate a change in behaviour that could last a lifetime. Many people gain back their weight at the end of a diet, and it is important to develop healthy eating habits while on the 8-hour diet to ensure that does not happen to you.
Summary
The beauty of the 8-hour diet is in its simplicity. The clock determines when you can eat, and the hope is that dieters begin to make healthy food choices when picking which calories they will be consuming for the day. Over time, the 16-hour fasting phase helps the body to recognize that late night 'grazing' is not really a symptom of being hungry, but rather a result of being bored. This is a good way to kick start a switch to healthy eating and is certain to help you drop a few pounds. The "power foods" can form a more permanent foundation for a life of healthy eating - if dieters make the connection between smart food choices and proper consumption levels, this diet will have accomplished something important.
About the Author: By Ryan J James
Ryan is an author who writes across a wide spectrum on a number of subjects that hold a personal interest. Other diet related articles include Myths of Organic Food. He is passionate about helping new and experienced entrepreneurs earn money online and runs the How to Earn Money Online HQ blog.
