Body for life?

[Ghetto]

I bought this book yesterday. I read about it for the first time on a motocross forum that I frequent. The results seem impressive. I was wondering if anyone here has heard about it or even tried the program?

A little background on myself. I was in great shape when I met my wife. I was in the gym 5 days a week but after months and months I got burnt out. After 9/11 the company I worked for had a huge down turn. I volunteered for the lay off and started college. During that time I pretty much became a hermit and gained alot of weight. After a year of college I went back to work for the same company. Now I've been married for a little over a year. I've lost some of the weight, I was at 317 now I'm down to 275. I know my diet has to change to continue to loose weight and Body for life seems like a good place to start.

[Mango]

I am VERY familiar with this book and what it describes. When I first started to get into excercise physiology many years ago I purchased the book (not many people know that it has been around since 2001) and tried the program. First and formost, remember that it IS written by the CEO of a Supplement Company (EAS obviously) and that his goal is to have you buy shakes/products/etc. In the book he SAYS that you do not need his products but lets face it, if he was that concerned about your health he would give the book away for FREE.

With that being said, the strength training program he describes is quite good. In fact I would recommend it to anyone looking for a beginner program, even up to the seasoned gym rat. Bill is a very smart guy and I respect him and the people he surrounds himself with.

His nutrition guidelines in the back is where I have a problem with the book. It puts WAY too much empasis on protein consumption. 2 or 3 of those protein shakes a day!? You have GOT to be kidding. Any nutritionist would look at that and tell you the exact same thing I am telling you: WAY too much protein!!

If you are eating a balanced diet you should not need ANY of those shakes. I've said it once and I will say it again: excess protein in your diet, whether you are lifting weights or not, will NOT make you stronger. It will only make you FATTER.

If there was a deficiency in your intake or if you are so strapped for time that you NEED a shake, then sure, by all means drink one.

As far as his regular nutrition program goes, it does a very good job of outlining what quality protein, carbohydrate and vegetable sources are. I like how he lays things out in a simple form for the average person to understand.

Also, he only outlines 20 minutes of cardiovascular activity. While he tells you to crank it up minute by minute, the American College of Sports Medicine as well as the World Health Organization have revised thier standards on the minimum duration of cardiovascular activity needed to effect a change. It was revised from 20 minutes, to 30 minutes. This is the guideline used by all professionals in the health field.

While his 20 minute level is a good start for a few weeks, try to ramp it up to 30 once you find your activity (riding a bike is ok if you are very overweight or have not excercised recently). I would like to see you walking/jogging/on an ellipical machine as soon as you can. Bike riding, which he does, is simply not the best choice.

[Ghetto]

Thanks for the reply. Do agree or disagree with the 6 small meals a day? I'm guessing I could replace the protein shakes with something else?
I've remained pretty active inspite of the weight gain. I play softball two nights a week spring through summer, Flag football one night a week during the winter. Riding dirtbikes and paintball aswell. These activities aren't enough to overcome the bad eating habits I have. Plus I havent been to a gym in months.

[Mango]

Thanks for the reply. Do agree or disagree with the 6 small meals a day?

Yes. 5-6 smaller meals a day is, idealy, how everyone should eat. This does many things: First it keeps your metabolism functioning at its peak levels. Secondly, it limits drastic changes in blood sugar levels. Third, it eliminates intense feelings of hunger which lead to overeating. There are others but these are the most important factors.

I'm guessing I could replace the protein shakes with something else?

I would first try to get a tally on how much protein you are getting in a day, as well as how many grams of carbohydrates as well as from what sources, and lastly how much fat you are taking in. Once you have a ballpark figure of what you are ACTUALLY eating every day, then make your nutrition choices. You should really take two days, one day during a normal workweek and one weekend day, and write down EVERYTHING you eat in that day. I'm talking about everything. Then, go back and use a program like www.fitday.com and tally it up. You may have to enter specific information from the packages of what you eat, so keep them if you go to a snack machine, etc. Form there, you can begin the journey of a new you by making small changes now that you have a base to work from.

I've remained pretty active inspite of the weight gain. I play softball two nights a week spring through summer, Flag football one night a week during the winter. Riding dirtbikes and paintball aswell. These activities aren't enough to overcome the bad eating habits I have. Plus I havent been to a gym in months.

You're not alone! America has such a distorted view of what a proper portion of food is. We are used to platefulls of pasta and other foods. Sodas, cakes, cookies, donuts, etc. have doubled, if not tripled in size over the past decade. Nutrition is the single, most important aspect of regaining control of your life and living long enough to see your grandkids.

[Ghetto]

Thanks so much for the help.

[mwsriders]

this program rocks!

[ShooterJM]

Actually the guy I sit next to at work was won of the original winners (http://bodyforlife.ie/rorypalazzo.htm). He's obviously a huge proponent of the program.