The Thermogenic Diet Plan

The author of this plan, Cathi Graham, lost a lot of weight by following this diet. In fact, it was one of the largest weight losses ever recorded in Canada! This is a low to moderate carbohydrate diet which promotes "thermogenic foods." The claim is that these foods boost your metabolism. Thermogenic foods include garlic, chili sauce, salmon, and tuna.

An important objective of the Termogenic Diet plan is to improve your digestive system, so that weight loss will become more efficient. This can be accomplished by taking recommended enzyme supplements, along with avoiding high-glycemic, refined carbohydrates like white rice, white potatoes, most breads and cookies. By choosing lower glycemic foods like certain proteins, vegetables, fruits and some grains, your blood-sugar levels will become steady and you will feel full for longer periods of time, therefore enabling easier weight loss.

What makes the Fresh Start Thermogenic Diet plan different?

This is a low to moderate carbohydrate diet. What makes this different from other lower carbohydrate diets is that you have a choice of a plan that restricts carbohydrates greatly or a plan that allows more whole-grains (like quinoa and brown rice) and low-glycemic carbohydrates.

What is the Thermogenic Diet plan?

The Thermogenic Diet wants you to jump start your metabolism with proteins, good fats, and other ingredients and spices. The first step is to determine if you should be on the "Carbo Cleanout Plan" or the "Glycemic Plan." To do this, you must find out if you are a "Peach" or a "Pear." "Peaches" hold their weight around their middles, while "Pears" hold their weight below the waist at the thighs and buttocks. "Peaches" are a better fit for the "Carbo Cleanout Plan," while "Pears" do well on the "Glycemic Plan." However, the ultimate decision on which plan to follow is up to you.

The "Carbo Cleanout Plan" has you eating unlimited amounts of low-glycemic vegetables (organic preferred) like broccoli, lettuce and green beans, while avoiding foods like sugar, honey or anything made with these ingredients. Carbohydrates should not be eaten more than twice a day and should be whole grain. On the Thermogenic Diet plan, you should not eat more than two fruits per day, and these fruits should have a low-glycemic index (lists are given). Proteins like fish, lean beef and poultry are allowed in the right portions. For instance, beef should be eaten in a 3-4 ounce portion. A fourteen day meal plan is provided and includes daily menus for three meals, one snack and one dessert (yes, a little sugar is allowed a few times a week).

The "Glycemic Plan" encourages you to eat an appetizer about ten to fifteen minutes before both lunch and dinner, as a substitute for snacks. Carbohydrates are allowed, on the Thermogenic Diet, in larger quantities than on the "Carbo Cleanout Plan," but refined carbohydrates (like sugar, honey, white bread and potatoes) should still be avoided. Low-glycemic grains like "GC Scandinavian Crispbreads" and beans are examples of approved carbs. A fourteen day meal plan is provided and includes daily menus for three meals, two appetizers, and one dessert. Low-glycemic vegetables and fruits are promoted, as well as lean proteins (red meat is allowed in smaller quantities, as "Pears" can not digest it easily).

Recipes are included for both plans. Once you reach your target weight, you continue eating the same foods, just more of them. Also, you are encouraged to keep track of what you eat and weigh yourself once a week, so that you can make necessary adjustments if you gain weight.

At www.newfreshstart.com, you can order the "Fresh Start Metabolism Program," which contains the various meal plans, a "Fast Start Plan," a seven day program that claims to speed up weight loss, more than 200 recipes, and other features for $79.95. The website also sells recommended supplements, and even a tool that claims to get rid of the "turkey neck" that some people get after weight loss!

What are the weight loss expectations?

While The Thermogenic Diet plan does not provide any general weight loss expectations, it does mention that the "Fast Start Plan" (available online) can lead to a five to ten pound weight loss in seven days. There are also testimonials by dieters on how much they lost.

Is exercise promoted?

Exercise is promoted on the Thermogenic Diet. The recommendation is to engage in thirty to forty five minutes of moderate exercise, five to six days a week. The plan suggests that to make exercise more exciting, you should alternate activities; for example, walk one day and swim the next. The plan recommends that aerobic exercise (such as a walk) should be done after a meal, instead of on an empty stomach, to best burn calories. However, the plan acknowledges that this is not always an option, and encourages aerobic exercise whenever you can fit it into your schedule. Strength training for twenty minutes, three times a week is also important to help burn calories. Stretching is encouraged as well.

Are supplements recommended?

The Thermogenic Diet plan advocates use of a few supplements. The Fresh Start Super Enzymes is recommended to help with digestion (there is also a vegetarian alternative called Optimal 1 Digestion). Fresh Start BaseLift Plus powder with MSM (containing amino acids, vitamin C, and methylsulfonymehtane (MSM)) is also suggested to help increase energy, cope with pain, and provide an overall calming effect. All of these supplements are available for purchase on the Thermogenic Diet's website.