Fast Metabolism Diet for Weight Loss: Diet Program
The Fast Metabolism Diet doesn’t provide recommended calorie amounts or specific macronutrient needs. The most important thing to follow in this type of diet is to respect the phase order, plus make sure to consume the foods that are allowed in each phase, and to completely restrict foods that are not allowed.
The diet is divided into three phases with a total duration of one week for the three phases. Once the first week is finished, the same schedule is repeated for three more consecutive weeks. Hence, making the total diet duration 28 days.
Phase 1: Unwind stress and calm the adrenals
This is the first phase of the diet, and it can be followed on Monday and Tuesday. This phase of the diet consists of a high-carb, moderate-protein, and no fat eating plan.
This phase is believed to teach the body to use energy instead of storing it as fat. It also helps in decreasing stress by inhibiting the adrenal glands from producing cortisol which is a stress hormone. High level of cortisol found in the body has shown correlation with increased weight gain.
This is supported by research and studies that suggest that high amounts of carbohydrates are inversely correlated with cortisol levels in the body. This means that high carbohydrate meals push cortisol levels down, and accordingly this would contribute to weight loss.
For instance, a study titled” Dietary macronutrient content alter cortisol metabolism independently of body weight changed in obese men “showed that a low carb diet might cause increased cortisol production that lead to many negative health effects such as weight gain.
This study is in contradiction with the Keto diet and Atkins diet theory that is based on researches and clinical evidences that offer a completely different opinion about low carbs and weight gain.
Furthermore, the first phase of the Fast Metabolism diet also incorporates foods high in vitamin B and C that are believed to stimulate the thyroid to release certain hormones that boost the metabolism.
This phase also promotes cardio exercises because the body is receiving a lot of carbohydrate and this is a form of quick energy that is easily accessible.
Phase 2: Unlock stored fat and build muscle
The second phase of the Fast Metabolism diet can be followed on Wednesday and Thursday. This phase consists of a low-carb, high-protein, and low-fat eating plan. It is suggested to help the body burn the stored fat and build muscle.
Normally carbohydrate stores are used to provide glucose as the primary source of energy for the cells of the body. When low carbohydrate meals are ingested, carb stores are depleted and this forces the body to use fat stores as an alternative source of energy, and hence fat is burned.
High-protein meals with appropriate exercise program can help in gaining muscle weight.
This phase promotes strength training such as weight lifting because this type of exercise along with lean protein consumption, can help building the muscles. Additionally, having a bigger muscle mass would contribute to more weight loss as it burns more calories.
According to research, having your body at rest, 10 pounds of muscle burn 50 calories in a day, compared to 10 pounds of fat that would burn 20 calories.
Phase 3: Unleash the burn
This is the third phase of the diet that can be followed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This phase of the diet consists of a moderate-carb, moderate-protein, and high-fat eating plan.
This phase is suggested to speed up the metabolism and the fat burning process. It is suggested that by re-introducing fats back into the diet, the metabolism will boost and work faster than usual.
Many high fat foods also stimulate the thyroid gland to release hormones that will boost the metabolism.
This phase promotes stress-reducing exercises such as yoga and meditation, or even getting a massage. This reduces cortisol which is the stress hormone, and promotes weight loss.
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