The Pros and Cons of The 8 Hour Diet

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.

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.

The Pros And Cons Of The Advocare Diet Plan

Advocare is a company based in Texas that specializes in nutritional and weight control supplements. They also manufacture numerous weight reduction plans, and consumers can select the most appropriate one for their needs. An Advocare diet plan may be focused on increasing energy or controlling appetite. A third option, which is referred to as the basic plan, is a standard diet and exercise program that virtually anyone can follow.

There are three main components of each plan: multivitamins, shakes that are used as meal replacements, and diet pills. Depending on which version one purchases, a tape measure and a branded cup from which to drink the meal replacement beverages may also be included.

An herbal cleansing treatment is also part of the diet. This is taken in the form of supplemental beverage that contains generous amounts of fiber and a mild laxative. The goal of this cleansing treatment is to help individuals eliminate contaminants and toxins from their digestive systems. There are conflicting opinions among various health experts with regard to dietary cleanses and the benefits with which they may be associated. However, proponents of colon cleansing state that when this activity is approached reasonably, it is not dangerous.

Many individuals who follow the Advocare weight loss program report positive results overall. However, the formula itself is not necessarily uncommon: it provides an appropriate amount of nutrition, which is combined with the consumption of a dietary supplement the form of a pill to curb appetite. Therefore, most people who follow the plan appropriately can expect to lose weight and enjoy a higher level of physical fitness.

As with most weight loss plans, there are both advantages and disadvantages associated with this program. For instance, the shakes and supplements the dieter must consume when following the plan contain caffeine. This places it out of reach for certain people with specific health problems. For example, those suffering from high blood pressure or heart conditions are generally told to avoid caffeine.

Certain people also claim that the price of the Advocare package is more expensive than comparable programs on today's market. However, this may be due to the fact that Advocare is marketed in a nontraditional way. It is sold via a multilevel marketing distribution plan, in which participants sponsor distributors and earn commissions every time a person they sponsored brings another individual into the network.

In order to be successful with any type of networking business, a person must have what is called a warm market. This is his or her immediate circle of friends, relatives, and other acquaintances to whom he or she may be able to pitch the product. However, it is sometimes challenging to sponsor the number of people necessary to earn a substantial amount of money through this type of marketing.

Ultimately, it is in each person's best interest to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if the Advocare diet plan is an appropriate choice for his or her needs. Those who are not sure should speak to a health care practitioner prior to beginning this or any other diet and exercise program.

About the Author:   Alyssa Riggs

Read more about Important Information About The Advocare Diet Plan visiting our website.