Review of "8 Minutes in the Morning"

As I mentioned in the previous post, we have decided to use a book by Jorge Cruise called "8 Minutes in the Morning: A Simple Way to Shed up to 2 Pounds a Week Guaranteed".

We selected this book based on some research and the fact that we have very busy/hectic lives - we both work full time and have two VERY active young children (as well as a perverse need for a few hours of sleep every night). So the whole 8 minutes thing really appealed to us. If we can't devote 8 minutes a day to our health then we should just throw in the towel and eat bon bon's and lard right out of the tub.

The program consists of:

• An inspirational "wake-up talk"
• kind of like a Tony Robbins pep talk every morning to get you motivated
  
  
• 8 minutes of strength training each morning
  
• a 28-day program of illustrated exercises using dumbbells, you focus on 2 muscle groups per day
• Build muscle mass and by doing it in the morning you increase your metabolism for the rest of the day
  
  
• Eating according to his "eating card" program
• focus is on a "healthy diet", including more "good" fats
  
  
• Lose about 2 pounds per week.. and keep it off.
• Cruise claims you will "change your shape and gain muscle mass and energy"
  

Why the focus on strength training and increasing muscle mass?
Cruise explains that aerobic exercise (running, cycling, etc.) is great from burning calories while you are exercising, but adding muscle revs up your metabolism and burns fat throughout the day. In fact, every pound of muscle you gain burns and extra 50 calories per day.

The Eating Card Plan
Cruise's plan focuses on eating more complex carbs, high quality protein, vegetable and "good" fats (omega fats), while eating less dairy, fruits and "treats". He helps you do this by using an "Eating Card System" with specific portions of each food group you are allowed to eat each day.

This is one area where we are going to alter Cruise's plan a little as our family has been really focusing on "eating healthier" for a few years now. We have eliminated "trans fats" and high fructose corn syrup and have greatly increased our intake of vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids. We feel like we have a good handle on the "eating right" and just don't think the "card system" would work with two little ones running around.

As the healthy eating area is one that I feel we have learned a lot about the last few years, I am planning on adding some posts around this topic. Some ideas would be, the dangers of trans fats and high fructose corn syrup, benefits of grass fed beef, benefits of fish oil, etc. I can honestly say that if it was not for us changing our eating habits over the last few years I would easily be about 260 lbs. minimum.

While some of this may sound a little "granola" I think you will be amazed when you actually read some of the research around these topics.

Overall Thoughts on 8 minutes in the morning
At this point I think 8 Minutes is a great idea, but we will have to see what the results are at the end of this. Since the hardest part of any workout plan is starting and staying on it, the idea of it only taking 8 minutes is pretty motivating. What I am hoping is that after just doing the 8 minutes for a few weeks and "getting in shape" it will be much easier to do a little more and a little more.... and "suddenly" you can do 20 min.... 30 min.... and Bam! You are now in shape.

* I will try and come back and update this review as I get further into the program and have more results.