TurboCharged By Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel According to these boomer-generation authors, every diet to date is destined to deliver loss of lean muscle mass, moodiness, disappointment and failure. Instead, Dian and Tom provide an exciting new roadmap using a unique 8-step program that has been called "the Holy Grail of Fat Loss" and even the "Fountain of Youth." Building on an exotic car metaphor, their system requires no strenuous exercise, supplements or special equipment. They show readers how to get on the road to eliminate excess body fat fast and forever. Within 3 days the program promises begin training your body to use excess body fat for energy; show everyday activities that will quickly accelerate fat-loss; teach mini-exercises requiring only 3-5 minutes each day that will trigger fat-burning while strengthening muscle; explain the ideal foods and how to eat them to burn your body fat fast; eliminate any related diet anxiety or moodiness; prove that you are truly getting younger; and, provide easy ways to maintain your new lean and healthy body with minimal effort for life. An excerpt from the Foreword by Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN, author of The Hampton's Diet says, "TurboCharged doesn't bog down the reader with lots of science. Instead, it tells you what to do, when to do it, and if you follow the very simple guidelines, you too will be dropping fat fast, leaning out and attaining your goal of a lower body-fat percentage, decreases in inches and a younger metabolic age. TurboCharged is a system designed with genetics in mind and based on sound science. With a combination like that, you can't fail." Sister and brother, Dian and Tom Griesel have spent the last 30 years working with renowned scientific researchers while studying health, exercise, longevity and stress management. Both are in their 50s according to the calendar, yet can prove that they are not only leaner and stronger but are now metabolically teenagers as a result of the TurboCharged steps they share with readers. TurboCharged is a simple, practical, easy-to-implement holistic lifestyle program for everyone. Testimonials from 35 to 80 year olds abound! Early readers comment... Harvey Schiller, PhD., Brig. Gen, USAF, Ret, Former CEO, United States Olympic Committee says, "Finally you can toss the exercise DVDs, failed diet programs, useless equipment and take control of your body! TurboCharged is what we've all been waiting a simple approach to better living and a powerful new lifestyle." Harvard psychiatrist, Srini Pillay, MD, best-selling author of Life Unlocked says, "For dieters, from both a psychological and medical perspective--this one's the Holy Grail."
I'm approaching 70 years old, and I've been overweight since my mid-teenage years. I've tried a number of weight loss plans and had success, but the pounds always returned. Last year, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which has motivated me more than any other factor to lose weight and live a healthier life. When the author emailed me to request a review of "TurboCharged," I was happy to oblige.
The author claims that the TurboCharged program will outperform any other diet or exercise plan. The theory behind the TurboCharged program is that by burning body fat for energy instead of burning muscle cells, weight loss will occur by removing excess body fat.
Some of the requirements for TurboCharged weren't surprising, such as eliminating refined sugar and reducing or eliminating grain products. I've seen that in other nutrition books. Some of the steps, however, were unique, at least to me, such as drinking water a couple of glasses at a time, instead of sipping water constantly. The theory behind this seemed reasonable.
One concept that was new to me was measuring your success not by pounds lost or BMI, but by percent of body fat. The book has a link to an online body fat calculator. I input my numbers and as expected, my body fat percentage is too high.
Exercise was another topic. TurboCharged emphasizes regular physical activity in lieu of bursts of intense exercise. This more closely emulates how our ancestors lived before the mechanized age.
Finally, the book covers some ideal foods for TurboCharging your body. Interestingly, it also emphasized which foods should be eaten together for optimum digestion, and it actually discouraged eating balanced meals.
There's a 33-page Q&A section that should answer most questions, plus an extensive supplemental reading list.
I mentioned that I'm a diabetic. When I began reading the book, I was concerned that it might overlook the effects of the program on diabetes, but every chapter included information about the impacts on glucose and insulin levels.
The TurboCharged program was presented with a mix of theory and practical advice. In my opinion, the author made a strong case for TurboCharged. For many people, going on the program would require significant lifestyle changes. I'm not sure if I could make these changes at my age, but it's worth considering for anyone who wants to be healthier.
As a reviewer, I get certain genre(s) in cycles. Right now I am in the Health/Weight Loss genre cycle.
In the past 4 months, I’ve read 4 books on these subjects. One was actually more about mental health but physical health plays a role in that area, so the book reached out in that directions too.
But TurboCharged by siblings Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel is one I would call a stand out. In the introduction, the first statement is very bold, “The TurboCharged steps as presented in this book will out-perform any other diet or exercise program you may have tried in the past.” I like bold statements like that.
Every paragraph provides another piece to the puzzle, without overwhelming you with facts. As explained, all of the information makes perfect sense. The only “trick”? You have to work the steps.
One point discussed focused on water consumption. I’ve always been a sipper. I carry my glass and plastic straw around all day, sipping. TurboCharged explains why this is not enough to handle how much water my body really needs. It took me a few days to get into the habit of drinking more each time I picked up my glass and after having tried the TurboCharged way for one week; I experienced quite a few changes.
Two other chapters I found to be worthy of a book alone, were #6 Muscle Power in 5…Minutes a Day! and the 100 calorie and under list in chapter #7. I’m thinking a poster of each of these chapters would be great. Lots of information at one glance.
Another great chapter, #8 “See” the Prize. I am a firm believer in visualization and meditation. Here Dian and Tom discuss the importance of relaxing our minds and how doing so positively affects the body and our quest to be healthy.
I think that’s the main point here. If we want to be healthy, it takes effort. Start by making the effort to read this book.
Loose Fat not Weight! There is no other life changing method as simple as the TurboCharged way of life! I have done it once before and then got lazy and forgot how simple it was to maintain. But sugar and all grains are equal in addiction as “crack cocaine” and our country is failing in the obesity category! Coming back to Turbocharged was my last attempt to really loose fat and safe my heart. All the other methods I tried only made things worse in the long run. Sustainability of other “weight-loss” methods were no match to the sustainability of the TurboCharged way of Life! The difference is the approach and the science and losing fat is the number one key, not losing weight like doctors and gurus claim. 30 to 90 minute work-outs ... forget about it! Try multiple (and sustainable) 1 to 3 minute work-outs 5 times a day and two 20 minute walks per day! This book will blow you away and wipe out anything you ever thought you knew about weight loss! We have been mislead and it is time to take back our healthy lives! Don’t worry this is not a Candida lifestyle diet, in fact this is not a diet at all!
I don't think that this book qualifies as a diet book per se. The authors present their philosophy or method towards weight loss. They do present dietary guidelines, but insist that they don't focus on caloric restrictions and exercise regimes. Their approach is basically an eight step approach to achieving weight loss and boosting the metabolism or "turbocharging" the body.
I have problems with this approach for numerous reasons. First the authors presume that everyone that is obese or overweight is eating as much as 3500 calories each day. I know many overweight people that consume less than 1800 calories each day (possibly eating the wrong things but definitely not more than 2000 calories) and they aren't losing the weight. Second they state that anyone can do their program even those that are bedridden. Since one of their eight steps includes daily mini-activity sessions (i.e., exercise) that are based on lunges, body weight squats, standing heel raises, etc., I don't see how people that are either paraplegics or bedridden could possibly commit to this system. In addition, the authors state that this isn't based on calories and one need not count calories but the book later states that you'll need to consume 300-800 calories on the "expressway days." This is definitely caloric restriction.
This book is written in a way to attract and keep the readers' attention. It is definitely written in a way that is easy to understand. I don't necessarily disagree with many of the premises that the authors put forth in this book. I just challenge the premise that it can and will work for everyone. I don't feel that any one diet will work for everyone (if there were only one then there would be no more need for books, gyms, etc.) but if this does, then great!. For those people that can commit to the food restrictions (no grains or breakfast allowed), daily mini-activity sessions, and temporary caloric restriction days, then this may be the program for you. For the rest of us, this may not be the answer.
I received this book for free from the publisher for review purposes.
So, yes I know right now you are looking at this and going " OH...Yea another freakin DIET BOOK...time to click to the next blog" Please don't yet. Give me a second or two (well maybe four since I tend to babble) I decided to give this book a chance since I've been down the road of Lord knows how many diets and healthy eating life styles and got NO WHERE. So I thought what was one more book to say I was fat and doing everything wrong. Little did I realize that this book didn't get on my case for not getting off my butt and going to the gym and exercising for 30-90 minutes...To Quote them: "Exercise 30-90 minutes for maximum fat-burning benefits. (Sounds exhausting to us)" That was just on page 3...so of course I had to read the rest....OMG! If they say that it can't be that bad right? Nothing about this book is hard to follow and actually it all really makes a lot of sense.
So much so that I myself decided to go for it and follow it....... I've been only following this book for about 7 days now and I've been missing 11 pounds... PLEASE DO NOT RETURN IF FOUND!!!!!! (I just think how much body fat that is....YUCK!!!!!) Before you ask.....NO I'm not starving actually it's the opposite! I'm actually full....I eat my meat, veggies and lots of fruits....it's great. So much so that the other day while shopping I saw this sun dress that I thought for sure wouldn't fit....Guess what..... IT FIT and IT LOOKED FREAKIN AWESOME!!! (So I had to buy SHOES too...LOL)
Love this book. It is life saver for me. I gained 30lb after giving birth. I really had hard time to lose my weight and had crazy food craving at late night. I was a slave of food and could not control myself. Now i am doing the steps mentioned in the book. I have lost 7lb on day 8. It is amazing. The biggest thing is i don't have craving for food anymore. I am full of energy and feel happy and clear. I am really lucky that i find this book. It is amazing. The book is very well written and very inspirational. The method mentioned in the book is not difficult to do and easy to follow for long time. The food in the book makes you satisfied. Amazing books. Everybody should read it and try it. It is revolutionary.
Update: Nov 8th, 2011 seven month after trying this diet: I want to update my review after trying this diet 7 month. I lost 48lb in 3 month and keep it off :) It is so easy to keep the weight off without feeling craving food. With large consumption of veggies, fruits and nuts, i feel energetic and happy and young. Preparing food is easy and exercising is easy. Life got lot easier with this new diet. My body looks great, i went from size 16 to size 4 to 6. Everything fit now. :) This book is god send. I wish everyone could give it try just for 10 days. It is amazing.
Wow! I'm the first reviewer. I gave it 3 stars because I did like it. It's well written and easy to understand. The concept is very different, but they claim 100% success rate. If it works it could help a lot of people. I'm not ready to follow it all the way, but I have implemented some of their suggestions.