The Bill Phillips Diet Plan

Bill Phillips is a health and fitness guru, and the founder of a protein powder empire. He has designed a well-rounded diet and exercise program that can fit just about any body and fitness level. His two books, Eating for Life and Body for Life, along with his website www.bodyforlife.com, focus on the importance of diet and exercise for improved health and weight loss. The Bill Phillips Diet provides specific guidelines for exercise and nutrition give dieters the instruction needed to develop skills to properly eat and exercise, and by extension lose unwanted fat, increase energy and improve health. These plans dispel numerous myths about nutrition and fad diets, while providing useful tips, menu plans, shopping lists, recipes and workout guides. Key components of this plan are portion-control, calorie and fat reduction and regular exercise.

What makes the Bill Phillips Diet a different weight loss plan?

This diet and corresponding workout plan is useful for men and women. Information is provided to enable either gender to customize plans that take account of their individual diet and exercise needs.

What is the Bill Phillips Diet plan?

Phillips' "recipe" for eating right includes four "ingredients":

1) The Right Foods: Suggested foods are ones that contain protein from lean meats, nuts, dairy and protein powder; carbohydrates from whole wheat, rice, oats, fruits and vegetables; and essential fats from olive oil, canola oil and fish. All of these foods are good sources of vitamins and minerals, and the recipes and meal plans that are provided distribute these nutrients throughout the day.

2) The Right Amounts: On the Bill Phillips Diet plan, portion control is customized to the dieter. You are instructed to use your own hands and fists to measure how much protein and carbohydrates you should be eating (for example, your correct portion of chicken breast should be equal to the size of the palm of your hand). Each meal should include one serving of protein and one serving of carbohydrates. Servings of lower calorie vegetables can be adjusted according to your appetite.

3) The Right Combos: As mentioned, meals should be made up of protein and carbohydrates, along with vegetable servings. A sample menu could thereby entail chicken, brown rice and zucchini. Recommended seasonings and marinades help flavor the foods and provide a lot of variety.

4) The Right Times: The Bill Phillips Diet plan recommends eating six meals/snacks a day, in order to create a "metabolic environment" where the body can work most efficiently. Frequent meals help to keep blood sugar, energy levels and food cravings under control, so you can function optimally throughout the day. Fruits and other healthy foods are most often recommended as snacks between meals.

You should follow these four guidelines six days a week while on the Bill Phillips Diet plan. However, the seventh day is "free," meaning you can eat anything you want, in any amount. Phillips believes that when you know you are still allowed to indulge in some of your less healthy favorites, you are more likely to stay on track and to stick to the plan for the other days of the week. Dieters are encouraged to change their "free day" to best accommodate holidays or special events.

Two weeks of meal plans with corresponding recipes are provided, but you are also given the tools to plan your own meals beyond these two weeks. Recommended meals are predominantly low-fat and contain moderate amounts of carbohydrates. A typical day on the Bill Phillips Diet plan would include:

Breakfast: Egg-Cellent Enchiladas.

Midmeal: Strawberry-Banana Nutrition Shake.

Lunch: Turkey Sandwich (with lettuce, tomato, and mustard or fat-free mayo).

Midmeal: Cottage Cheese and Berries.

Dinner: Baked Chicken Parmesan.

Dessert: Banana Cream Pudding.

The Bill Phillips Diet plan places a strong emphasis on adequate hydration. You are encouraged to consume water constantly throughout the day (with increased amounts during, directly before, and after workouts). Other diet beverages, unsweetened fruit juices and coffee are also allowed. Alcohol consumption is not discussed in the meal plans, although wine is listed on the shopping list for use in cooking. The website recommends no more than one serving of any alcohol per day.

What are the weight loss expectations?

There are no specific weight loss expectations for the Bill Phillips Diet plan. You are encouraged to maintain the recommended behaviors "for life," in order to maintain your weight loss and stay healthy. Success stories on the website report maintained weight losses of fifty to one hundred pounds!

Is exercise promoted?

Exercise is the major component to Bill Phillips Diet programs. Plans for cardiovascular exercise and weight-lifting can be found both in the books and on the website. Whether you are a beginner or a trained athlete, these plans can offer ways to increase the intensity of your workouts, and build strength and endurance. While specific seven day plans (six workout days and one off day) are given, you can pick and choose from these to compile a well-rounded and stimulating workout routine that fits you best. You are encouraged to workout first thing in the morning, if possible.

Are supplements recommended?

Specific supplements are not recommended on the Bill Phillips Diet plan, but the meal plans include frequent use of whey and soy protein powders, which do contain supplemental protein and various other nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.). This must be taken into consideration for dieters who are already on a supplement regimen or are taking certain medications.