My energy has been very low lately. I’m getting enough sleep and eating right, but I constantly feel tired. Like I want to take a nap, all day.  I don’t know if it’s a low caloric thing or a low vitamin intake thing but I’ll do ANYTHING to fix this. It’s very annoying and a little depressing. I was thinking a fat burner might help. Is there a really good fat burner you can recommend? Both for energy and fat shredding?
—Jeremy, Los Angeles

I personally do not use fat burners, and I don’t recommend the use of fat burners for a few reasons.

Mostly, the problem is that fat burning pills work—for a while. So people start taking them without altering their diet or exercise, and they lose some weight. What happens when they stop taking the pills?  If they haven’t really changed their eating or exercise habits, they regain the weight. Then they have to buy the pills again, and they start the same “yo yo” pattern of weight loss & gain.

Also, the effects of fat burners are short lived. Over time, they may deleteriously affect your adrenal system. In people who are sensitive, fat burners can cause a racing pulse, increased blood pressure, nervousness, passing out, short term memory loss—even panic attacks.

Then there’s the “crash” that comes afterwards. Take it from a caffeine junkie: symptoms of fat burner/caffeine withdrawal can include headache, nausea, reduced alertness, and depressed mood.

The real, true way to permanent fat loss and increased energy is through a combination of eating properly and exercising regularly. There are also some non-stimulants that may help your body metabolize fat.

I’d recommend that you eat 1-2 additional servings of complex carbs or fruit each day and see if it makes a difference in your energy levels.  Do this for one week.  If your energy doesn’t improve, I’d recommend you see your doctor and have him run your blood work.  —S. Page

My main objective following a Zig Zag meal plan is body re-composition (or body transformation). My Zig Zag plan does a great job at helping you lose fat while simultaneously maintaining as much lean body mass as possible. This is where most diets sink—they produce fat loss but sacrifice LBM. It’s pretty easy to lose fat -or- gain muscle, but it’s very difficult to do them both at the same time. Maintaining your LBM and a *healthy* body fat percentage is really the holy grail of fitness. This is where the Zig Zag plan “reigns supreme.”

Clients tell me that they learn a lot about what’s “proper nutrition” and what’s junk food on my meal plan. Most of us have some bad nutritional habits, and following the meal plan exposes weaknesses. I myself notice a predisposition toward sugar and caffeine, especially in the afternoon when my energy wanes. I also realized a tendency to snack a little as an afternoon “pick me up” before my evening sessions.

Most people have a lack of fruits and vegetables in their diet. The Zig Zag meal plan has so many fruits and green vegetable, and clients immediately notice how satiated they are when they consume a diet rich in fiber. They also report positive changes in their digestion and energy levels.

Almost always, you’ll feel a change occurring internally before you see one visually in the mirror (or on the scale). Sometimes the scale weight won’t register much of a change, because you are gaining LBM while losing fat. If this is the case, ask yourself how your clothes are fitting. I give people A LOT of encouragement during the first few weeks on the meal plan, and challenge them to follow it to the letter, because after about 3 weeks, the changes in your body are indisputable.

This is a good first hand account of one of my clients’ experiences on the meal plan.

In the best case scenario, the meal plan is just a TOOL which helps the client re-program their eating habits to new, more healthful habits that work in the long term. Like Weight Watchers, the meal plan helps facilitate long term change.

If you are interested in a customized Meal Plan, e-mail me.