Aimzster
Dianna GThe 5 Factor Diet
September 11th 2007 00:05
The 5 factor diet is the latest diet craze to hit Hollywood since Jessica Simpson attributed her 20-pound loss in a month to this program (for a B-grade personality, anything she endorses seems to turn to gold. What’s the deal with that???). Created by Harley Pasternak who has an educational background in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences, the diet is based on everything ‘five’. It’s a five-week plan of five small meals to be consumed daily, consisting of five ingredients of five elements (healthy carbs, healthy fats, protein, fibre and a sugar-free drink), to be prepared in five minutes and cooked in five – should I assume to be eaten in five minutes as well?
The recipes are relatively simple and choices include lasagne, chicken chow mein, smoked salmon and cream cheese omelette and pizza. So no restricting yourself to gulping gallons of lemon drink, choking on endless bowls of boiled broccoli or ordering a Big Mac without the bread.
The plan also incorporates 25 minutes of exercise (5 different types of exercises for 5 minutes each) 5 days a week – which I’m sure is bad news to the thousands out there looking to lose weight without doing the work. Each 25-minute workout combines cardio and strength training and you don’t need a whole gym set, just dumbbells and a balance ball.
The workouts and recipes are all in Pasternak’s 5 Factor Diet book which has become a New York Bestseller and has no shortage of celebrity testimonials, from Alicia Keys to Kanye West.
Now, I’m one who scoffs at Hollywood diets but this is probably one of the better ones I’ve heard. Although I hate the whole gimmick of the ‘five’ factor, I understand that Pasternak needed something like it to set it apart from every other Hollywood diet. “There is no calorie counting, no carb-cutting, no pill-popping, no concoction shake thing, no reliance on special supplements,” Pasternak says. In short, you eat actual solid foods. What I like about this plan is that it shows exercising is an integral part of any weight loss program – even if it is only for 25 minutes a day. In Pasternak’s defense, he believes that exercising for shorter periods of time but more often during the week is much more effective than spending hours at a gym 1-3 times a week. Another good thing about this plan is that it incorporates something many dieticians and nutritionists have been harping on for years – eating several small meals throughout the day will help curb hunger cravings as opposed to 3 big meals daily. And I’m sure many people will be happy about this : this plan also allows you one ‘cheat day’ a week when you can practically eat whatever you want so you have something to look forward to if you feel like you’re in diet prison. But I am a little dubious about this one. While this is probably the most popular factor in this plan, I think it’s too much like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I remember a friend of mine who went on a diet for five straight days and spent most of the sixth day in a Sizzler Restaurant, downing as much of the all-you-can eat pastas and cheese toast as her stomach could allow her. But I suppose it’s all down to self-control.
Overall, I think this is a good program for those who are looking to ease into weight loss. The recipes are simple and easy to follow and setting aside 25 minutes per day to exercise shouldn’t be asking too much of anyone who’s serious about losing excess weight. It’s worth a shot.
Recipe Sample :
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Omelet (Serves 1):
½ cup egg whites, 2 tsp nonfat cream cheese, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tsp canola oil, ¼ oz smoked salmon.
Whisk together egg whites, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Pour oil into a nonstick skillet, and turn to coat. Heat over medium-high flame. Add egg-white mixture to the skillet, gently pushing egg whites toward the center as they cook.
When eggs are almost set, place smoked salmon on top. Cover the pan, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove the lid, and add pepper. Slide omelet onto a cutting board, fold in half and serve.
The recipes are relatively simple and choices include lasagne, chicken chow mein, smoked salmon and cream cheese omelette and pizza. So no restricting yourself to gulping gallons of lemon drink, choking on endless bowls of boiled broccoli or ordering a Big Mac without the bread.
The plan also incorporates 25 minutes of exercise (5 different types of exercises for 5 minutes each) 5 days a week – which I’m sure is bad news to the thousands out there looking to lose weight without doing the work. Each 25-minute workout combines cardio and strength training and you don’t need a whole gym set, just dumbbells and a balance ball.
The workouts and recipes are all in Pasternak’s 5 Factor Diet book which has become a New York Bestseller and has no shortage of celebrity testimonials, from Alicia Keys to Kanye West.
Now, I’m one who scoffs at Hollywood diets but this is probably one of the better ones I’ve heard. Although I hate the whole gimmick of the ‘five’ factor, I understand that Pasternak needed something like it to set it apart from every other Hollywood diet. “There is no calorie counting, no carb-cutting, no pill-popping, no concoction shake thing, no reliance on special supplements,” Pasternak says. In short, you eat actual solid foods. What I like about this plan is that it shows exercising is an integral part of any weight loss program – even if it is only for 25 minutes a day. In Pasternak’s defense, he believes that exercising for shorter periods of time but more often during the week is much more effective than spending hours at a gym 1-3 times a week. Another good thing about this plan is that it incorporates something many dieticians and nutritionists have been harping on for years – eating several small meals throughout the day will help curb hunger cravings as opposed to 3 big meals daily. And I’m sure many people will be happy about this : this plan also allows you one ‘cheat day’ a week when you can practically eat whatever you want so you have something to look forward to if you feel like you’re in diet prison. But I am a little dubious about this one. While this is probably the most popular factor in this plan, I think it’s too much like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I remember a friend of mine who went on a diet for five straight days and spent most of the sixth day in a Sizzler Restaurant, downing as much of the all-you-can eat pastas and cheese toast as her stomach could allow her. But I suppose it’s all down to self-control.
Overall, I think this is a good program for those who are looking to ease into weight loss. The recipes are simple and easy to follow and setting aside 25 minutes per day to exercise shouldn’t be asking too much of anyone who’s serious about losing excess weight. It’s worth a shot.
Recipe Sample :
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Omelet (Serves 1):
½ cup egg whites, 2 tsp nonfat cream cheese, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tsp canola oil, ¼ oz smoked salmon.
Whisk together egg whites, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Pour oil into a nonstick skillet, and turn to coat. Heat over medium-high flame. Add egg-white mixture to the skillet, gently pushing egg whites toward the center as they cook.
When eggs are almost set, place smoked salmon on top. Cover the pan, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove the lid, and add pepper. Slide omelet onto a cutting board, fold in half and serve.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
Good post, katyzzz
Comment by Chic Critique
....she says stuffing her face full of toasted banana bread...
Cheers
CC
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Hi CC, more reasonable than most hollywood diets, that's for sure...she says, stuffing her face with Hazelnut chocolate bar.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
These seem much more practical than diets that have you cutting out entire food groups!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Hi Michaelie, ever heard of the Chocolate Diet?
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
hhmm seems one of the better ones to be doing the rounds. Certainly made him a millionaire for sharing the obvious!
Ash
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
dayweekp/s...thanks for the recipe -- sounds delish!
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Hi Ash, I know, eh? It's now a new concept really but the 5 gimmick thing definitely put him at the top of the list!
Hi Lara, a lot of the recipes are actually quite yummy and easy to make. I'll definitely be making more of them this coming weekend.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
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The Jeepney Stop