Seven Shapely Secrets Diet

Shapely Secrets is a weight loss and fitness system developed by Greer Childers, a mother of three and a self-made fitness expert. Twenty years ago, Childers launched Body Flex, a program that was successful and popular with consumers. Body Flex was replaced with Shapely Secrets. This is a DVD video-based program that offers a fitness and diet plan.

Identification

The system includes a DVD entitled "Childers Getting Started" as well as a seven-minute workout DVD. The package also includes her "Seven Secrets to Being Thin and Shapely" program booklet and "My Success Book," as well as a success chart, tape measure, timer and a reminder bookmark to record weight loss and track progress. At this time, if you order the program from Childers' website, you will receive a free gift that includes, among other items, a fat-burning diet supplement to assist you in reaching your weight loss goals. The complete Shapely Secrets system costs $42.97 with a 30-day money back guarantee.

Characteristics

With Shapely Secrets, Greer Childers is marketing to women who are busy, overweight, and do not enjoy or have time for traditional exercise programs. It is more of a fitness system than a diet. She uses a technique she developed called "Diametric Resistance Exercise." The accompanying book provides general diet advice and encourages the consumption of low-calorie foods, not calorie or carbohydrate gram counting. Two of her suggestions include eating little meat and drinking large quantities of water. The "Seven Secrets" plan also teaches how to recognize and choose good foods and avoid high calorie items.

Diametric Resistance Exercise

The core of Shapely Secrets is the Seven-minute Workout, based upon "Diametric Resistance" exercises. Instead of exerting force against a weight, such as lifting a 20 lb. dumbbell, you exert force against muscles within your own body through isometric contractions. Through performing these exercises, you can create internal force that recruits two or more muscle groups or works "muscle against muscle." According to Childers, this type of exercise (which can be done seated or standing) enables you to target your entire body much quicker with only a few exercises, cutting down significantly on workout time without impact. She calls this unique type of exercise "Motionless Exercise."

Pros

There are many women who swear by Greer Childers programs and have seen success using them. The diet information and advice is not harmful and the exercises do work the muscles in a unique fashion. There are many testimonials on her website and the program is not very expensive. It offers a way for you to possibly push through a weight loss plateau and motivates those that may not otherwise exercise, since it only takes seven minutes for a full-body workout. Additionally, the diet advice is not radical or dangerous.

Cons

For significant weight loss, overall health, and to obtain cardiovascular benefits, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that Americans engage in moderately intense cardiovascular exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week or vigorously intense cardiovascular exercise for 20 minutes per day, three days a week as well as perform eight to 10 strength-training exercises, eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise, twice weekly. Additionally, Greer Childers may be popular with certain consumers, however, her Body Flex system was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission in a California civil action suit for false advertising and unfounded claims.