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.
The 8-Hour Food Window
For people starting this diet, the first thing to decide is when they will be fasting and which 8-hours of the day they will be allowed to eat. For most people, this will mean skipping breakfast and having the first food of the day in the late morning. Zinczenko and Moore suggest that dieters limit their food intake to a short-list of lean protein and vegetable based "power foods", but they stop short of forbidding any food on this diet. The hope is that people will start to make healthy choices as the connection is made between healthy eating and feeling well. For dieters who have never fasted before, a slow approach is recommended (ie 3 days on, 1 'cheat' day) until the body gets used to the new eating plan. Gradually, people will be able to spend weeks on the program.
The Pros
There are four obvious advantages to the 8-Hour diet:
- fasting is a proven way to lose weight.
- by its very nature of fasting and eating phases, it cuts down on 'mindless' late night calorie consumption.
- by its very nature of fasting and eating phases, it cuts down on 'mindless' late night calorie consumption.
- the 8-minute physical component could 'turbocharge' your 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 more than a few days, 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 8-hour diet is cunningly simple - the clock determines when you can eat and what you are encouraged to eat are "power foods". Over time, the 16-hour fasting phase will help the body to recognize that late night 'grazing' is not really a symptom of being hungry, but rather it is more about boredom. This diet is a good way to begin eating more healthy and will certainly help in shedding a few pounds. The "power foods' can form a more permanent foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating - if dieters make the connection between smart food choices and proper consumption levels, this diet will have accomplished something truly remarkable.
The 8-Hour Food Window
For people starting this diet, the first thing to decide is when they will be fasting and which 8-hours of the day they will be allowed to eat. For most people, this will mean skipping breakfast and having the first food of the day in the late morning. Zinczenko and Moore suggest that dieters limit their food intake to a short-list of lean protein and vegetable based "power foods", but they stop short of forbidding any food on this diet. The hope is that people will start to make healthy choices as the connection is made between healthy eating and feeling well. For dieters who have never fasted before, a slow approach is recommended (ie 3 days on, 1 'cheat' day) until the body gets used to the new eating plan. Gradually, people will be able to spend weeks on the program.
The Pros
There are four obvious advantages to the 8-Hour diet:
- fasting is a proven way to lose weight.
- by its very nature of fasting and eating phases, it cuts down on 'mindless' late night calorie consumption.
- by its very nature of fasting and eating phases, it cuts down on 'mindless' late night calorie consumption.
- the 8-minute physical component could 'turbocharge' your 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 more than a few days, 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 8-hour diet is cunningly simple - the clock determines when you can eat and what you are encouraged to eat are "power foods". Over time, the 16-hour fasting phase will help the body to recognize that late night 'grazing' is not really a symptom of being hungry, but rather it is more about boredom. This diet is a good way to begin eating more healthy and will certainly help in shedding a few pounds. The "power foods' can form a more permanent foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating - if dieters make the connection between smart food choices and proper consumption levels, this diet will have accomplished something truly remarkable.
About the Author:
Ryan is has published other diet and exercise articles including What to Expect from P90x. He is passionate about helping new and experienced entrepreneurs earn money online and runs the How to Earn Money Online HQ blog.
