Thurmond assigns each body type a specific exercise plan.
Michael Thurmond's 6 Week Body Makeover is based on the idea that five different body types react differently to particular kinds of food and exercise. Thurmond and his theories have received much interest due to his connection with ABC's "Extreme Makeover." His body-typing ideas and "customized blueprinting technique" are not scientifically proven. However, according to DietMad.com, his makeover plans combine healthy eating and exercise so may be successful. Each body type is given a targeted exercise and diet plan with small meals spread throughout the day.
Body Type A: Endo-Morph
Endo-morph body types, according to Thurmond, have a circular shape and are susceptible to putting weight on easily, especially from simple carbohydrates like white bread and refined sugar. They also tend to store calories from sugar and fruits with a high sugar content, like pineapples and bananas, as fat.
Body Type B: Endo-Meso
Endo-meso body types are shaped like an upside-down triangle, with weight accumulating largely on the stomach, buttocks, thighs and hips. People with this body type, Thurmond thinks, have a slow metabolism and need to eat the right kinds of carbohydrates and proteins to lose weight.
Body Type C: Meso-Endo
Meso-endo body types are more regular in shape, with hips and shoulders of a similar width, giving the body a rectangular appearance. Thurmond allows these dieters more calories as he thinks they have a higher metabolism than most.
Body Type D: Endo-Ecto
Endo-ecto body types tend to have a disproportionately large chest area compared with their shoulders and lower body, giving the overall shape of an oval. Thurmond emphasizes weight training for these body types because they have low muscle mass; in working to gain more, they will increase their metabolism since people with bigger muscles use more calories. Their diet plan is also designed to reflect a muscle-building emphasis.
Body Type E: Ecto-Endo
Ecto-endo body types have a tube-like appearance due to a skinny frame beneath their excess body fat. Thurmond thinks people in this category can eat more carbohydrates than others, but these carbohydrates are coupled with protein to slow down the digestive process.
Considerations for All Body Types
All Thurmond's diet plans eliminate dairy products so low calcium levels may become an issue, particularly for women with osteoporosis, says DietMad.com, which also calls the diet "expensive and time-consuming." EveryDiet.com points out all of the plans eliminate not only dairy, but all processed foods and condiments like mustard and ketchup due to their high sugar and salt content. Virtual Fitness Trainer says Thurmond's plans are too restrictive, banning sugars, fats and caffeine, making the diet too boring for many people. Committed followers will lose weight, according to this website, but risk putting it back on when they eat normally.
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