How it Works
The Body for Life Program is a 12-week program that is aimed at giving you the body of your dreams while making sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Under this program, you need to eat 6 small meals throughout the day instead of the usual heavy breakfast, lunch and dinner. According to the program, distributing your meals throughout the day helps keep you full and doesn’t cause binge-eating. Moreover, it also improves your blood sugar level and prevents heavy fluctuations throughout the day.
You get one “off” day in a week where you can eat anything you want. Other than that, the 6 tiny meals that you eat should consist of a fist-sized serving of lean protein and another of carbohydrates (healthy carbohydrates).
This means that about 40-50% of your food consists of proteins and carbohydrates each. Fats make up for only a small portion of your food.
You can’t eat processed food that contains a lot of fat, bacon, fatty beef or other foods that are high in fats. Sugary foods and sweets aren’t allowed either. You also need to avoid butter and other dairy fats. Soda is off-limits too!
Moreover, you need to drink a minimum of 10 glasses of water per day and eat at least two servings of vegetables.
The last part of the Body for Life Program requires you to perform intense exercise almost every single day! The exercise is designed to make you fit and active. Moreover, you’ll also increase muscle mass and decrease fat this way.
Physical Workout
The Body for Life Program requires you to perform intense exercise 6 days a week. The exercise is divided into two types: 3 days for weight-resistance training and 3 days for cardio training.
Thus, a high level of physical activity is required for you to keep up with this program.
Pros of the Body for Life Program
The Body for Life Program addresses all the important aspects of keeping you fit: Diet and workout. Here are a few cons of this program:
Eating three times a day can cause your blood sugar level to fluctuate a lot, which brings fluctuations in your insulin levels and hence, your hunger levels. You’re likely to feel hungrier and then eat more during meals. By distributing your meals, you’ll feel fuller throughout the day.
Intense exercise is great for your overall health and fitness. It increases your core strength and makes you more active. Moreover, it also prevents a lot of ailments in the older age because the more you exercise, the more flexible you become. You’re also less likely to get lower back pain if you exercise regularly (and properly).
In addition, exercising is great for your heart health.
You’re avoiding fats in this diet and this significantly improves your blood lipid profile. Moreover, working out burns the fat in your body and further lowers your bad cholesterol levels.
This means that you get one day where you fulfil your cravings. This is helpful in the long run and helps you stick to your diet. Whenever you feel like eating junk food, you can just remind yourself that your off day is just around the corner.
Cons of the Body for Life Program
The Body for Life Program, just like any other program, also has a few cons. Some of these are listed below:
You have to eat 6 times a day and work out 6 days a week. This can be a pretty drastic change for many. In fact, it may even be so drastic that a lot of people quit the program because of it. Thus, it requires a lot of effort and time. You might even need to join a gym to perform the weight resistance exercises.
You don’t just need to worry about 3 meals, you have 6 meals now! That, too, healthy meals. It might be hard for you to keep trying out new recipes that you like and you might get bored of eating the same food over and over again.
A lot of vitamins (A, D, E and K) require fat for their absorption. This diet is low in fats and may impair the absorption of these vitamins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I am a vegan. Can I follow this Program?
This diet requires a lot of protein. 40-50% of your diet consists of protein in this program. Thus, it may be hard for vegetarians or vegans to incorporate it into their diet.
I am pregnant. Can I follow this Program?
No, you shouldn’t follow this Program because it requires a lot of intense exercise and involves many dietary restrictions.
I am lactating. Can I follow this Program?
No, this Program lacks fats which may be essential if you’re lactating,
I have kidney issues. Can I follow this Program?
No, you shouldn’t follow this program if your kidneys aren’t well because it’s a high-protein diet. Too much protein can cause an excessive load on your kidneys.
Is this diet good for my heart?
Yes, this diet improves your cholesterol levels and also regulates your blood pressure. Therefore, it’s great for your heart’s health.
So, what are you waiting for? Try out the Body for Life Program and get the body that you’ve always wanted. The program works for those who are able to finish it because it follows the basic principle of spending more calories than you consume. Thus, it helps in weight loss and also keeps you healthy and fit.
At the end of the day, your motivation and willpower matter a lot so don’t forget to keep yourself motivated. It might be a good idea to start this program with a friend for additional motivation. That being said, happy dieting and working out!