Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

low, but they are spread evenly between five or six
meals. This may help dieters to not feel hungry while
on the diet.

For both men and women, the diet requires that
all body types consume no dairy products during the
six weeks while on this diet. This means that dieters
may not drink milk, eat cheese, butter, yogurt, or ice
cream for weeks. Many of these foods contain high
levels ofcalcium, which can be difficult to get from
other sources. Dieters should consider taking calcium
supplements during this diet to prevent calcium defi-
ciency. The Six Week Body Makeover also eliminates
caffeine, sugars, and fat from the diet.

The Six Week Body Makeover recommends that
dieters drink large quantities ofwater. Dieters are told
to drink 12 8-ounce glasses of water every day. Thur-
mond says that proper hydration is vital to many of
the body’s functions, and that water promotes weight
loss and general good health. He also says that drink-
ing the amount of water described in the diet will make
a dieter’s skin practically wrinkle-free.

Thurmond claims that the foods prescribed in his
diet will make dieters look and feel younger. For
example, fish are one of the foods included in the
plan. Thurmond claims that fish can slow the aging
process as well as improve the look of the dieter’s skin.

The exercise guidelines for the Six Week Body
Makeover emphasize specific exercises for problem
areas. By targeting only the areas dieters want to
change dieters can see better results while actually

working out less. Many of these exercises use a band,

which is included with the program package, for resist-

ance. During the weeks when dieters are on the plan,

they are to do 15–18 minutes of low-intensity exercise

for at least 2 days per week. The plan does not place

emphasis on strength training activities such as weight

lifting, rowing, or stair climbing, or fat burning, aero-

bic exercises such as walking or bicycling.

Function

The Six Week Body Makeover is intended to cause

rapid weight loss over a fairly short period. If dieters

follow the plan exactly, the Six Week Body Makeover

claims that they can lose 30 lb (14 kg) 00d completely

reshape their body in only six weeks. Thurmond claims

that this rapid weight loss has an additional benefit of

motivating people to change their lifestyle and engage

in healthier activities after the diet has been completed.

Established research has shown that, for most people,

long-term, successful weight loss and healthy living

depend on slowly establishing healthy lifestyle habits

rather than making drastic short-term changes.

Benefits

There can be enormous benefits both physically

and psychologically for overweight people who lose

excess weight. People who are obese are at higher risk

of diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and many other

diseases and disorders. If achieved at a moderate pace

through a healthy diet and regular exercise, weight loss

can reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases. The

weight loss promises made by the Six Week Body

Makeover would not be considered moderately

paced. There is a possible psychological benefit asso-

ciated with rapid weight loss, but this is likely to be

undone if much of the weight is regained shortly after

the diet plan is over.

Precautions

Rapid weight loss can be dangerous. Anyone

thinking of beginning a new diet or exercise regimen

should consult a medical practitioner. Requirements of

calories, fat, and nutrients can differ significantly from

person to person, depending on gender, age, weight,

and many other factors such as the presence of any

disease or conditions. Women who are pregnant or

breastfeeding should be especially cautious because

deficiencies ofvitaminsormineralscan have a signifi-

cant negative impact on an infant. Exercising too stren-

uously can cause injury. Exercise should be started at

light or moderate intensity and gradually increased.

KEY TERMS

Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,

mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that is

intended to be consumed in addition to an individ-

ual’s diet with the expectation that it will improve

health.

Mineral—An inorganic substance found in the

earth that is necessary in small quantities for the

body to maintain a health. Examples: zinc, copper,

iron.

Obese—More than 20% over the individual’s ideal

weight for their height and age or having a body

mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.

Vitamin—A nutrient that the body needs in small

amounts to remain healthy but that the body cannot

manufacture for itself and must acquire through

diet.

Six week body makeover