Welcome to my second look at popular diets. If you haven’t read Part I of this series, you can check it out here. Let’s jump right in and take a look at some of the other dieting options and fads out there.

XDL Diet

This diet was designed through thousands of hours of research and scientific study. Why does the diet last 6 ½ days? When I originally designed this eating plan, it was for two bodybuilders who only had 6 ½ days to prepare for competition. The plan was to manipulate nutrient intake and timing, supplementation, water consumption, exercise and sodium intake. Keep in mind these guys were drug free. The methods applied to a natural bodybuilder are significantly different from those of used by drug-induced athletes. Both of these guys reached their all time high in physique development.

Recently, a competitive bodybuilder I worked with used the diet to prepare for his show (Since the book was released numerous people have reported significant weight loss with XDL DIET. Keep in mind a large amount of weight loss can be contributed to loss in Gi tract storage and water. The highest weight loss I am aware of while following the XDL DIET was 28lbs. I don’t recommend this diet for sedentary individuals). The results were outstanding. People who had not seen him for a few weeks were amazed with his level of leanness and dryness. This guy looked like steel. Numerous competitors and attendees asked what he had done to prepare for the show. I was very pleased with his condition. He followed the plan 100% and was rewarded nicely. He won the Middleweight division and the award for best-conditioned athlete. A week before the show, I followed the XDL Diet in a quest to reach my all-time low in body fat levels. In 6 ½ days, my body fat dropped from 5% to just over 3% (according to calipers for what that’s worth).

This works great for bodybuilders, so why can’t it work for fitness enthusiasts and athletes who compete in other sports? In fact, it can, I have used numerous variations of the diet (there have been some aspects of the diet I have changed since the book was written) with people of varying fitness levels.

The XDL Diet is a calorie reduction, high protein, moderate fat, low carb diet with a scheduled carb spike (the diet also manipulates water, potassium, and sodium intake).

The XDL DIET is the world’s best diet. I know, that is what you expect me to say, but I won’t say that. The XDL DIET has proven successful with many people. Other diets have proven successful as well. I promote the XDL DIET just like I do my training programs; as a tool for success. The concepts utilized in the XDL DIET come from a large collection of studies and practical experience. My approach to eating is comprehensive and ever changing. What works great for one person may not be optimal for another person. What works great today may not be suited for tomorrows needs. The first edition of XDL DIET is no longer available for sale. There is a possibility that a second revised edition will be released in the near future.

MCLL (multiple carbohydrate leverage loading)

Multiple Carbohydrate Leverage Loading was developed for the bodybuilder seeking maximum muscle mass. Negrita Jayde developed this eating plan. This diet involves specifically arranging carbohydrates in your eating regimen to achieve muscle gain. Jayde proposes this diet sets up the ultimate environment for growth.

With the M.C.L.L diet, you arrange your meals so you consume two complex carbs, two simple carbs, and a metabolic optimizer drink with each meal. The simple carbs exhibit an immediate energy release, while the complex carbs exhibit prolonged energy. The metabolic optimizer drink contains a shorter chain structure than the complex carbs, but a longer structure than the simple carbs. This makes it a medium releaser. With M.C.L.L, you will have continued release of energy throughout the day. You will consume 6 meals per day while on this diet.

M.C.L.L. Benefits

• Increased Energy
• Your pumps will be extraordinary
• Your measurements will increase
• You will gain weigh rapidly
• Recovery time will be quicker after workouts
• Metabolism increases
• You will experience strength gains
• Your body heat will elevate M.C.L.L makes sure carbohydrates are being supplied to the
  body.
• Water retention in muscle cells will be high.

During this diet, carbs will cause your body to load up on water. The water retention results in better leverage for the working muscle. Strength will increase greatly with the aid of the leverage advantage. This diet does not involve over-eating. You are simply increasing carb calories themselves. The portions of carbs will be small. Two complex and two simple carbs will take up allot of space on your plate.

High protein intake is not necessary with this diet. The high carb intake helps spare protein. With this diet, glucose levels stay high throughout the day and you remain in a positive nitrogen balance. This is the ideal state for adding muscle mass. This diet recommends you use a few supplements to enhance its effectiveness. It is recommended that you use a digestive enzyme with every meal, 4-6 grams of vitamin C daily and a B-complex vitamin each day. Amino Acids are also used with M.C.L.L. The recommended dosage is 5 before your workout and 5 after your workout.

I gained weight really fast with this diet, but I looked bloated and didn’t feel very good most of the time. The diet provides recommended foods that are non-calorie dense and nutritious. I had a hard time eating all of the food. When trying to eat a sufficient amount of calories to gain mass from low calorie foods it becomes a chore. I had a few clients who actually looked great and felt good while following the diet (very lean individuals). After following the diet for a while they became frustrated with the large quantity of food required and had to make adjustments (substituting some higher calorie foods for some of low calorie carb foods). I can’t agree with the supplement suggestions in the diet.