Does Fat Loss 4 Idiots Work?

Fat Loss 4 Idiots (also known as Idiot Proof Diet) is one of the “not your typical” diet plans that have gained a lot of popularity over the years.

As strange as it may seem “insulting” people does work in marketing, especially when you think about all the popular “For Dummies” and “Idiots” guide book series out there. This is no exception, but keep in mind that the name has nothing to do with the actual quality of the guide. Fat Loss 4 Idiots is in fact known to offer useful advice and common sense strategies for burning body fat while debunking a number of weight-loss myths.

Overview:

“FatLoss4Idiots” is a fairly popular program based on speeding up your metabolism by eating a variety of foods in specific patterns over an 11-day period followed by 3 cheat-days.

This method is also known as “calorie shifting” and is similar to “zig zag dieting” used by bodybuilders.

The plan may work best for people looking for a “point-and-shoot” weight loss solution, without the need to know about the actual biological processes that take place in the background. No “technical” talk is included, just straight forward instructions on what to eat when and how. Consumer reports found online tend to be positive.

Company info:

The official website is www.fatloss4idiots.com and online since 2005. In 2007 the website underwent a “makeover” including some changes in the diet menu-generator in order to improve the food choices and user experience.

Even if the style of the website may seem “unusual” for a typical weight loss portal it provides some surprising facts about losing weight, diets and common myths floating around it.

Food and Recipes:

The flagship feature of the plan is an online Diet Generator which “spits out” an 11-day menu. You are asked to select what you like to eat from an extensive list of pre-defined foods. After pressing one button you then generates a complete list of all your meals for the next 11 days based on the food choices you made.

Exercise:

Walks are recommended, but no other major exercise plan is part of this diet. The main focus is on speeding up your metabolism per se. On their website they claim “You don’t get fat because of a lack of exercising, that’s a myth.”

Pros:

• Speeds up metabolism by varying the food selection in specified patterns (this process is also known as Calorie Shifting or Zig-Zag dieting)
• Meal plans are generated at the click of a button
• Based on common sense approach and not on short-lived “tricks”
• Aims to systematize meals and help people follow through
• According to consumer reports FL4I shows good results and is relatively easy to sustain.
• Suitable for vegetarians

Cons:

• You are not enlightened on “why” things work.
• The system promises to make you lose 9 pounds every 11 days, but this should be seen on a case-to-case basis.
• Although walks are recommended the focus is on dieting and not on exercise.