BODY FOR LIFE
Body for Life is very popular among bodybuilders and athletic types who want to create more muscle and a leaner physique. Bill Phillips, former C.E.O. of EAS supplements developed this 12-week program that includes a balanced diet six days of the week, and a regimented workout plan. The diet is restrictive during the week, but offers a ‘reward’ day on the 7th day, during which the dieter is allowed to eat whatever they like. EAS supplements are recommended, and recipes are available in the Body for Life books. Essential oils and whey protein powder are some of the suggested foods that dieters include in meals.
Foods Emphasized: Vegetables, brown rice, chicken, egg whites, cottage cheese, whole-wheat bread and fish
Foods Discouraged: Sugars, fatty foods, processed foods
Premise and guidelines: Former EAS president Bill Phillips has not only devised an effective weight-loss program, but he has marketed it quite well. The Body for Life is highly motivational, and positive results are mass-marketed and advertised widely. The goal of this type of promotion is not only to increase sales, but to emphasize that others have succeeded in the program and that it is possible to do if you take the right attitude.
The 12-week program involves 3 days of weight-training and aerobic activity. Along with exercise, the diet consists of six balanced meals a day, including vegetables, fruits and lean meats. Calories are not restricted on this plan, but portion sizing must be scrutinized. Meals consist of one part protein and one part carbohydrates. You may add a vegetable to two of the meals. The seventh day is the ‘reward day’ when you can rest and eat whatever you would like. For many followers of the program, this is what makes all the hard work worth it! After a week of tireless exercise and strict eating habits, some dieters even fantasize about day 7; making mental lists of what they will eat then. The exercise component of the program is extremely important to the plan. Three 20 minute cardio workouts a week are required, and three days of weight-training programs must be performed as well.
One of the biggest differences in this diet plan is the emphasis on exercise. Because of Bill Phillips' background, he makes exercise central to successful weight-loss. A drawback is that the Body for Life program recommends a large quantity of EAS supplements which can get pricey. Excluding the cost, the diet and exercise components of this plan are healthy and balanced.