Who is Michael Thurmond and what is his Six Week Body Makeover all about? The self-proclaimed fat and nerdy kid who ate for emotional reasons grew up quickly to understand the importance of the proper mental state along with exercise and a healthy diet.

Turmond officially started his Six Week Body Makeover plan in San Francisco, California in 1980, so it’s been around for over 30 years.

Once you sign up for the program, your diet and exercise are based on your body type (endomorph, endo-meso, meso-endo and endo-ecto). According to Thurmond’s program, each body type gains and loses weight differently and have different metabolic rates. So, your eating and fitness program are custom fit to your personal needs.

In a quick video by Michael Thurmond on his website, he says his plan helps you lose weight by eating more and exercising less. However, there is a trend of complaints that say the diet is too restrictive.
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When it comes to really understanding different diets, sometimes it’s best to compare it to another popular diet. For example, The 17 Day Diet created by Dr. Mike Moreno is hugely popular right now. But in order to best understand its ins and outs, we thought we’d compare it to another popular diet- the South Beach Diet. Turns out, they have quite a bit in common!

Price

Both of these diets are fairly cost effective in that it just takes buying the book to learn how the diet works. You can buy either diet book for less than $20 on Amazon. When it comes to buying the food required in the diets, the cost is about the same, too, as both emphasize eating lots of fresh produce, lean meats, beans, nuts, dairy and whole grains (in moderation). Both programs also offer branded foods that are not required for success on these diets, but some may find convenient. South Beach offers a line of package foods, such as wraps and meal bars. There is a 17 Day Diet Meal Plan offered through the diet delivery service Bistro MD.

Accessibility

As of now, The 17 Day Diet does not have an in-depth online component (although I’d expect them to add that in the near future), but the website does offer free recipes and a caloric-needs and BMI calculator. On the other hand, the South Beach Diet has a robust online community and program costing $5 a week for your own customized meal plan; tools to track your weight, phase, and diet goals; and 24-hour online support and other online community features.

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In the upcoming April issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, Dr. Mehmet Oz will unveil his newest weight loss wisdom to help readers lose weight forever. His One Day Diet claims that he can help readers lose up to two inches and 10 pounds in four weeks — and stay slim forever.

The Mediterranean style diet allows for a  total of 1,450 calories (300 calories for breakfast, 400 for lunch, 500 for dinner, and 125 for each snack). In the magazine, Dr. Oz provides a 7 day sample diet plan, which allows for meal swaps and includes recipes. In addition to the meal plan, Dr. Oz has 5 simple rules to help you lose 10 pounds in a month. These rules include:

• Rule 1: Renew Your Vows Daily
• Rule 2: Do Something Completely Different Every Day
• Rule 3: Set Your Kitchen on Automatic. Arrange your pantry, fridge, and life so your only choices are good ones.
• Rule 4: Keep Your Belly Full
• Rule 5: Extend the Burn

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There is a great deal of hard work that goes into having the body of your dreams. Every “body” is different which requires you to find something that works specifically for you. Your best friend may have just found the answer to his or her fitness dreams, but that answer may not work for you. My advice is to try as many things as you possibly can and figure out which of those allows you to find the results you’ve always wanted.

Obviously, a low fat diet and consistent exercise are the two main ingredients that go into the fitness equation, but there is so much more detail that falls into that equation as well. Staying active throughout the day is vital. Staying on your feet and being active throughout the day will help keep the body an efficient calorie burning machine.

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The flu and colds are caused by viruses and are somewhat impossible to avoid due to constant human contact. This type of illness is so common during the winter months because the body is busy trying to keep itself warm. The immune system isn’t as strong, thus becoming more susceptible to infection and viruses. Frequent hand washing, keeping hands away from face and mouth, and avoiding contact with those who are infected are the safest ways to escape the illness.

Exercise, on the other hand, has been proven to improve normal body functioning as well as improving sleep patterns- both of which are vital to boost the immune system. By consistently exercising, your stamina and strong body will be able to fight off the viruses better and faster. Exercising too much can have the adverse affects by weakening the body and allowing it to be more prone to sickness. Exercising after you become sick is unlikely to change the course of the illness as well. Below are the best ways to help prevent becoming ill during this winter season.

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