Last October, after reading what I thought was an incredulous weight loss book, I threw out a challenge to my column readers: Test the authors’ premise and tell me your thoughts.
Fifteen readers were chosen to participate and 10 actually began the program – of those 10, eight completed it. Participants were a variety of body types, health backgrounds and histories, with some wanting to lose those last few pounds, to others combating serious medical issues, former competitive athletes wanting to get back in shape, those in a last ditch effort for results after working with professionals, and some having “let myself go,” wanting to find themselves again.
Much to our collective amazement, the program actually worked. So much so, that some participants who became used to losing fat quickly were disappointed if weight loss slowed to one or two pounds per week. Results for the six-week challenge included fat loss of between 8 and 29 pounds with fat loss per participant averaging 12.9 pounds and muscle development averaging around three pounds per person. The entire group lost a total of 131 pounds and an average of 8.8 percent body weight per person.
“Everyone at the very least, probably never thought their results were possible in a six week time frame,” said Tom Griesel, co-author of the book (TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust.) Added co-author Dian Griesel, Ph.D., “Everybody individually really won because they all met goals they didn’t expect to achieve.”
As a simple overview, “Turbocharging,” suggests cutting out all sugars (including grains) and drastically increasing fluid intake, including high water consumption and high-water content fruits and fresh vegetables. Protein also is essential, as the program focuses on rapid fat loss while increasing muscle mass. Exercise is limited to walking and one-minute body weight strength exercises three to five times daily.
“The most amazing thing to point out is how lean body mass is increased during short term rapid fat-loss,” said Tom, who emphasized that the “Turbocharged advantage,” is losing more fat than a bodyweight scale suggests. “This is definitely not what happens with other weight-loss programs where lean body mass [muscle] loss amounts to a significant percentage of total weight lost. This is what is responsible for a decrease in BMR [basal metabolic rate] experienced by most dieters.”
Participants cited high resistance from people with whom they shared the program, especially the common belief that whole grains should make up a significant part of the diet. I spoke with a nutritionist, a trainer, and a fitness-competition competitor-all of whom echoed similar concerns. The issue for many seemed to be that lack of grains would equal lack of energy, yet program participants mentioned higher energy levels than previously thought possible. Another perk delightfully imparted by many participants was the high-quality sleep they gained on the program.
Boulder Nutrition’s Sue Van Raes liked the program’s focus on high-quality whole foods, eating simply from natural sources, and focus on hydration, exercise and high metabolism. Van Raes’ cautions include: Insulin levels from consumption of certain high-water fruits, calorie restriction and not working with individual metabolic types. “The book suggests restricting calories (quite heavily) on certain days which does not address the individual’s needs, current metabolism, or energy output,” she relayed via email. “Restriction promotes a deprivation mentality which is detrimental to the long term health, and most often is followed by a swing to the other side, a binge.”
Reader Carie Herrick shared, “What I found funny, is that everyone tried to compare ‘Turbocharging’ with some other diet. I tried to explain what was different – especially the not having to count calories. By week four, all of my friends noticed the difference in me. My clothes were hanging and the shape of my face was different.” Herrick pointed out that she found the first two weeks to be the toughest, but quickly lost her appetite for processed foods and grains.
Veronica Setzke was elated the results of her annual physical right after completing the Turbocharged program. “He [the doctor] said that not only were my statistics much improved, but that he could see that I look younger than I did at my last physical. Younger,” she exclaimed. Setzke’s health statistics included lowering her cholesterol level by 31 points, her LDL by 15 points and triglycerides down 53 points. She’s now working to increase her HDL numbers. “Almost as exciting, he asked me to email him the title of your book because he said I had got his curiosity piqued, and that I should keep up whatever I’m doing,” she proclaimed.
Do your own research at .
Doni Luckutt is a lifestyle expert who believes by enhancing interpersonal connection, we can stop simply living, and become Simply Alive! If you have a suggestion on what brings you to life, connect with her on Twitter @SimplyAlive, via e-mail Doni@SimplyAliveWorld.com or on her blog:
