Dieting is often a double-edged sword. On one hand, caloric deprivation results in fat loss, which is the entire point behind the diet. On the other, prolonged caloric deprivation results in a lowered metabolism, as the body subtlety adjusts its demands to meet intake. Lowered metabolism can result in a host of issues, such as weight rebound and fat gain upon coming off the diet, so avoiding it wherever necessary is crucial. But what diet should you use?
Refined Physique Transformation
French-Canadian strength and conditioning coach Christian Thibaudeau has an interesting answer to this conundrum in his Refined Physique Transformation plan. Refined Physique Transformation is different from other diets in two separate but equally important ways. First, it automatically alters its nutritional guidelines depending on your body fat level. As your body fat decreases, the diet begins to prescribe additional carbohydrates and allows for more liberality on "refeed days." Refeed days are the second way in which the diet differs from the norm. These are days designed solely to stimulate the metabolism and keep it running at full steam. For someone who is obese (more than 20 percent body fat for men and 25 percent for women), his or her refeed days can only consist of "clean" carbs, such as sweet potatoes, rice, oats, fruit and veggies. When someone reaches the threshold of leanness (below 10 percent for men and 14 percent for women), his or her refeeds may contain cheat items like hamburgers and pizza.
Supplements and Food Choices
Refined Physique Transformation also takes into account the ways in which ordinary diets are lacking, prescribing high fish oil intake for important omega-3 acids, high protein intake to retain maximal lean body mass, and encourages copious consumption of green fibrous vegetables to keep digestion running smoothly while fueling the body with vitamins and minerals. Although specific supplements are also recommended, the diet can just as easily be performed without them (or with substitutes), so do not think that progress hinges on purchasing a specific product from a specific company.
Food choices on the diet should consist primarily of lean protein sources (meat, eggs, fish and chicken), along with fruits and vegetables. But keep your total carb intake in mind, and do not accidentally go over this amount by consuming too many fruits. Meals should be small and frequent--the dieter should aim to eat at least every 3 hours for at least six meals per day.
Conclusion
Overall, Refined Physique Transformation is a solid, no-nonsense approach to dieting. Christian Thibaudeau, the author of the program, used a similar system to make his own transformation to show that the program works.
Tags: Physique Transformation, Refined Physique, Refined Physique Transformation, caloric deprivation, caloric deprivation results, Christian Thibaudeau, deprivation results