Let’s take a minute to introduce the author of this book. He is Ori Hofmekler, former columnist of Penthouse magazine, a famous artist, and the founder as well as editor in chief of the fitness magazine Mind & Muscle Power. More importantly, Ori is a tough, lean man, small in size but superbly molded, almost reminding you of the Bruce Lee era.
Based on his own lifestyle, Hofmekler has devised an eating plan that facilitates fat loss, weight maintenance and superb agility along with muscle building. That is The Warrior Diet: Switch on Your Biological Powerhouse For High Energy, Explosive Strength, and a Leaner, Harder Body .
This book has mixed reviews from many readers and is, overall, not one of the most popular diet books today. However, for those who are willing to undertake a real challenge, this can be a book worth reading.
The Warrior diet: an overview
Hofmekler says that the basis of his diet is the natural eating pattern of ancient warriors. A nice point to start off with, considering that ancient warriors were lean, mean and strong.
The diet plan is simple. 20 hours of meager eating followed by 4 hours of compensatory eating. The low eating phase occurs in the day time when the body is busy with its day to day functions.
During this phase, followers are allowed to eat fruits and vegetables that have low Glycemic Index. This way, the body is not involved in the highly draining activity of digestion throughout the day. Since regular activities are carried out in the day, the body utilizes fat deposits to meet its needs.
According to the author, this deprivation phase evokes the warrior mentality in people. Inner hunger keeps them alert and energetic.
The compensation phase is in the evening, when you are allowed to eat as much as you want, so long as the food is not refined, processed or rich in sugar. When you allow yourself the freedom to overeat, the diet does not feel like deprivation at all. Makes a lot of sense.
The eating plan is only a part of what Hofmekler has to offer – a small part, one should say. What is more attractive is the exercise regime. It’s revolutionary, completely enchanting and very effective.
The exercise program suggested in the book aims to achieve a ‘functional body’, as the author puts it. A body that is healthy, flexible, alert and strong. So, the ‘Warrior body’ is achieved through exercises that mimic ancient warfare activities through exercise equipment. It’s a long term program because the author aims to retain this level of fitness and strength throughout his life.
Hofmekler’s exercise program focuses on
- Building the strength and health of the back and joints
- Alternating between explosive moves and high intensity exercise
- Keeping exercise cycles short but highly productive
- Not training to muscle failure
The Warrior Workout: Review
The diet plan may not be something that the typical man or women of the West is used to, as our culture does not preach or practice fasting. Besides, the concept of eating less during the day and ‘pigging out’ in the evening is the complete reverse to what prevalent diet gurus advocate. The book also shatters the much advocated ‘6 mini meals a day’ strategy.
The diet is based on principles of healthy eating:
- Eat as much good food as you want.
- Force the body to use its fat reserves.
- Exercise every day
So, in spite of its revolutionary ideas, the book is useful and highly effective – if you can stick to the program, that is.
Pros:
- Facilitates easy weight loss
- No portion control
- No calorie counting
- Advocates healthy eating
- Allows cheat foods once in a while
- Inculcates a lifestyle change
- No carb deprivation
Cons:
- Hard to follow
- Advocates the use of supplements (though their line of supplements is supposed to be organic)
- Tough exercise regime
- Totally unconventional
- May not appeal to the average Western mentality
In conclusion:
There is no doubt that the Warrior Diet can deliver the goods. The concepts may be revolutionary and might take a little getting used to. But, if you want the physique of a warrior, this is definitely the way to go.
nice, very nice.