The Fast Metabolism Diet promises to help you lose 20 lbs in 28 days, all while eating an amazing 5 times a day. The trick here is to control what you eat during prescribed parts of the week. Each week is divided in to three major portions. During Phase 1 the goal is to calm your metabolism by eating lots of healthy carbs, natural sugars (from fruits) and some lean protein. During phase 2 you "unlock" stored fat and build muscle by eating lots of protein and vegetables (no carbs, low fat). During phase 3 you "unleash" the burn by eating some healthy fats, moderate cabs, protein, and low sugar fruits.
Each phase is accompanied by recommended exercise styles that will maximize your efforts during that phase. Phase 1: Cardio, Phase2: Strength training with weights, Phase 3: Stress Reducing: like yoga or massage. At the party we shared great ideas for different exercises and routines we could do throughout the week. I recently found a great zumba set at the library--one disc contains typical zumba dance stuff--a fun way to cardio. The second disc incorporates free weights with lots of reps--I know, maybe more cardio than the rules require, but I think it might be a good place for someone like me who doesn't typically do serious strength training activities.
Naturally, there are some big diet rules.
You must eat five times a day, every 3 hours... which seems like an aweful lot of food compared to the typically diet. I think the idea is to keep you filled with good foods so you don't feel hungry enough to stray. This would really be a problem for my schedule, as I only get the one lunch break at 10:30, and can't eat in front of the kids. I want to try this diet, but won't have any luck with it until school is out for summer.
Next rules, eat within 30 minutes of getting up, stick with it for at least 28 days, follow the prescribed foods religiously and in order (again, probably easier in the summer since I'll have fewer family functions that would throw the diet off). Also, you must drink half your weight in ounces of water... oy! that's a lot of water... I should get working on this one now.
As a rule, you should eat organic when possible. I love that the party came with an opportunity to try Applegate Organic meats! They were super delicious and everyone loved the meats we tried. Organic can be so costly at the grocery store, so I had been reluctant to give it a try before. Now that I know it's so good and good for you, we will have to find a way to make better food choices happen for us.
While I may have to wait to start the diet proper, I think the "don'ts" list offers some tips we can incorporate now. No corn/no wheat. The logic being that wheat/corn/soy have been genetically modified to withstand pesticides, poor weather, etc. that they are hard for the body to properly digest and gain nutrition from. Also, no dairy... they are high in sugar and fat. (don't read yesterday's article on my new obsession with making homemade ice cream). No caffeine, no alcohol, no dried fruit or fruit juice and no artificial/ fat free or "diet" foods.
While I confess being scared a little by all of the rules, the what you can eat when, of this diet, I love that there is a complete menu for all 28 days, with all of the yummy recipes to go with it. Before the party, I made a delicious phase I chili with scores of different beans. It was very filling and warming--it has been an unexpectedly cold gloomy and grey weekend. I made it in the croq pot and and it filled the house with a great smell.
During the party, guest made and sipped phase III Berry Nut Oatmeal Smoothies... (this was super good and may replace my typical protein shake in the morning). We also made Phase III Sweet Potato Hummus which was an interesting twist on hummus. In addition to sampling the Applegate meats, we also sampled Artisana's Cashew butter, which was as delicious as it sounds.
Guests received coupons and samples of Celestial Seasonings Tea to take home along with their own copy of Pomroy's book.
Big Thanks to Mommy Parties, Random House and all of the party sponsors. We had such a blast and can't wait to start losing weight with the Fast Metabolism Plan.
Disclaimer: I received books, recipe cards, a $20 Target gift card and other extra coupons and recipes from brand partners Applegate, Artisana, CrockPot and Celestial Seasonings to help put together my party.
