The Metabolic Factor diet program is a new plan designed by Dr Jonny Bowden to transform your metabolism, so your body becomes a fat-burning machine in just 22 days. How does it work, is it flexible, and how does it relate to Jonny’s other programs? We’ll take a look in this review.
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What Is The Metabolic Factor Diet?
In summary, the Metabolic Factor is based around a low carb diet with cheat meals. Cheat meals help to make the plan easier to stick to — any cravings you have can be satisfied, because you’ll be able to indulge them at one of your cheat meals.
With some other plans, you have to give up certain foods forever, which is tough, and can lead to people caving. But the Metabolic Factor is more of a carb cycling program, where anything goes — at certain times. This keeps the lid on indulgence while giving you an outlet for those pesky cravings. I found it helped a lot.
You’ll find two levels of the plan: Basic and Advanced. Both follow the same principles, but the Advanced plan ramps it up to another level. If you’re highly motivated, or if you don’t have much to lose but want to lose it fast, try Advanced. If you have a lot to lose, or are happy to lose it more slowly, the Basic level might suit you better. They’re compatible, so you can switch from one to the other at any time.
On the Basic plan, you can have anything at all for your cheat meals. Yes, anything! — at certain times. The timing of the cheat meals is vital, and they are meals, not whole evenings or days 😉
On the Advanced Metabolic Factor plan, Jonny Bowden advises limiting yourself to mostly healthy carbs at the cheat meals. But if you want, you can mix and match and have some cheat meals that are ‘advanced’ and others where you eat absolutely anything you fancy. I did that myself, and it worked for me.
Does The Metabolic Factor Work?
The previous version of this program was called New You in 22. I lost 9 pounds following it, which I was very happy with because I wasn’t very much over my target weight before starting. My experience is that the more weight you have to lose, the faster you will lose it.
I enjoyed the program, especially the cheat meals 😉
But even on the non-cheat days, I had plenty to eat. I didn’t get hungry and I loved the variety of the meals. One of the beauties of low carb diets is that protein and fat keep you feeling fuller for longer than carbs, so I often find I’m not even thinking about food between meals — which is quite something for me!
And by the way, if you already have New You In 22, you have all the basis of the program. You might still want to get the Metabolic Factor if you need new motivation, if you want the bonuses (including weekly coaching calls with Jonny Bowden), or if you’ve drifted off the plan and want to kickstart your weight loss again. Jonny has updated the plan for the Metabolic Factor but he knows “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”! And it ain’t broke, so he’s added tools and bonuses, without messing with the basic successful plan.
What You Get – Instant Download and/or Printed Books
I live in the UK, so I have the downloadable version. However, you can buy the Metabolic Factor printed books for the same price plus shipping — and you also get instant access to the downloadable version.
This means if you live anywhere in North America, where the shipping cost is low, you’ll probably want to get the printed books too. But whatever version you choose, you have instant access online, and can start right away.
Metabolic Factor Blueprint
The Metabolic Factor Blueprint explains every aspect of the plan. This includes research and the science behind the plan, plus step-by-step instructions for what you can eat and when (hint: timing is very important on this program), and everything else that you need to know, to start burning fat and losing weight.
The first part of the book explains the science behind low carb and carb cycling diets. It shows how burning fat instead of burning sugar can activate the hormones that help you to lose weight and have a trimmer body.
In the section 2, you’ll discover all about the different steps in the program. Results with the Metabolic Factor are not only a question of what you eat, although that is the most important. There are other steps including sleep, stress reduction, detox and exercise. But don’t stress about the exercise! There’s very little you have to do. On the Basic plan you can do only walking for your exercise.
THe third section is where you have all the details of the step-by-step plan to burn fat and lose weight for the best Metabolic Factor results. Then there’s a final chapter on what to do after the first 3 weeks, since this is at root a 22-day cycle.
Click here to start losing weight today
Quick Start Guide
If you’re anything like me, you won’t want to wade through a lot of science and research before you start. You’ll want to get started right away! For that, turn to the Metabolic Factor Quick Start Guide. It’s just 11 pages, no fluff, giving you the exact steps to start the program.
When I started the plan I read the Quick Start Guide and went ahead with that right away, without reading the Blueprint until later. It was very clear and easy to follow.
Progress Tracker
The progress tracker is new! It gives you a way to track your fat loss from specific parts of your body – because it’s not about numbers on a scale, it’s about achieving a toned, attractive body that looks good in and out of clothes!
With the Metabolic Factor progress tracker, you’ll focus on the places where you most want to lose weight.
What You Can Eat On This Plan
Wondering what you can eat on this program? Not much experience with low carb? Jonny Bowden has you covered with a book of ‘10 minute meals’ — recipes that fit the plan, mostly taking just 10 minutes to prepare.
You also get a day-by-day meal plan to follow if you prefer to have everything prearranged for you.
Or, if you like inventing your own recipes, you can use the ‘roll your own’ section in the guide. Here you’ll find a list of all the best foods to include in your meals.
Bonuses
With the new Metabolic Factor program, you get a ton of bonuses that weren’t available before. These include:
Metabolic motivation emails from Jonny Bowden to keep your enthusiasm high. We all know that diets work if we can stick to them – it’s sticking to them that’s the issue! The email series should help with that.
Plus you get a booklet on IGF trigger foods, information on booster supplements, the 5 biggest exercise mistakes and probably the best of all, recorded coaching calls with Jonny Bowden. You’ll receive these weekly for 4 weeks and they could be a big factor in keeping you on track. I recommend listening to these as soon as they arrive each week, and taking notes. But you’ll have access to them later if you want.
Metabolic Factor Review Summary
To sum up my review of Dr Jonny Bowden’s Metabolic Factor diet program: it passes the 3 E’s test! I found it Easy, Enjoyable and Effective and I lost 9 pounds in a short time, following it.
Next, click on the link below to go to the official website where you can find out a lot more, including ‘before and after’ pictures of people who’ve followed the plan.
>>> Click here to burn fat and lose weight
with the Metabolic Factor from the official website <<<
I just finished day 5. I’m eating only what’s on the list & the proper amounts. I’M SO HUNGRY! Is this normal? To be honest, I can’t remember the last time my stomach growled but since I started this plan, my stomach starts growling 2 hours after eating & continues until it’s time for the next meal. I’ve started a constant headache on top of it all. Just doesn’t seem “right”
Hi Kris
No you shouldn’t be hungry to that extent. But I don’t think the Metabolic Factor program specifies quantities – or maybe it does if you are following the meal plan? But not if you do the “roll your own” option. So in your situation, I would increase quantities of the recommended foods. Just don’t add anything that is not on the recommended food lists. And be sure to include enough fat and protein. This is not a low fat plan.
If after several days of eating more, you find you are not hungry for your meals now, then you could reduce the quantities a little. But this plan is not about calorie counting or rigid amounts of food. It is the quality of food that matters more than the quantity.
The headache may be withdrawal from caffeine, flour, or some other substance in your previous diet. It should disappear within a few more days. If it continues for more than 7 days, see a doctor in case it is something unrelated that needs treatment.
I hope that helps
Rosemary
When I order the Metabolic Factor 22 days,I was sure I saw on the video there was a time line when to eat and how long to wait to eat again the next day. Was I wrong?
Hi Alma,
I don’t recall anything except to have 3 meals a day and no snacks, which for most people would likely mean going 12+ hours overnight without eating. But I don’t think there is anything specific about fasting or anything like that.
Will this work for vegetarians?
I think you would have to tweak it a bit, for example by adding beans and maybe cheese to the protein list. Eggs are already on there. With that, it would surely be possible.
I have completed my first 22 days on MF, and have lost 10 lbs. I’m on day 27 and have stayed at the same weight for a week. I would like your guidance on some foods I have added that may not be on the plan, may be slowing my progress:
Beet powder
Hemp seed
Vegenaise (brand name no-soy mayo substitute)
rasberries
cranberry juice, (100%)
I don’t snack between meals, but I do eat extra nuts, cashews, walnuts with my breakfast shake.
Am I adding things I don’t need to be eating?
Thanks, I’ll hang up and listen to your reply!
C
Hi Carol
You don’t say anything about the quantities, but I would guess the things that are most likely to be slowing you down are the nuts, hemp seeds and Vegenaise – possibly the beet powder also. If I were you, if you don’t want to stop having these foods, I would cut the quantities of all of them in half and see if that helps.
Best, Rosemary
I am on a budget. What is the cost of the program and does it come with a money back guaranty?
Hi Regina, the price of the downloadable version of Metabolic Factor is $37 at the time of writing, and there is a 60 day guarantee. The regular price is $67, but there is currently a $30 discount. If you want the CDs you also have to pay for shipping, but there’s no need for that, as you can get everything online.
I have had multiple back surgeries and have to utilize meds on a daily basis. Would this have a negative effect on how this works?
I don’t think so, but for anyone taking medication, I’d advise you to ask a doctor if there’s anything that would interfere with your specific meds before starting a new diet.
I have tried so many diets. Why is your any different
It’s not “mine” exactly – I’m just reviewing it – but the difference for me is that it’s a carb cycling diet. That means it’s mostly low carb, which works because on low carb diets I feel fuller for longer due to more of the calories coming from protein and less from carbs.
But the cycling means that you can have occasional “cheat” meals where you eat what you want. This breaks the pattern which is said to boost the metabolism, and it’s good psychologically because it makes me less likely to go off plan if I know I can have an off-plan meal sometimes. Plus you can time it so this meal is at a time when you have a celebration or a meal with friends or family. So that’s why it works for me. Hope that helps!
I’m a type 1 diabetic on insulin, is this a good program for me
I’m not a doctor, and you would need to check it out with your own physician. Depending on what you were eating before, this could be a big change and could mean that your insulin levels will be affected – probably in a positive way, if you were eating a lot of sugary or high carb foods before. But the vital point with type 1 is balance, as I’m sure you know, so even a change for the better would need monitoring.
Are the foods used in the diet easy to find. Also will the one diet suit people that want to lose a half a stone and those that want to lose a stone and a half.
Yes and yes. There’s a “design your own” plan where you use whatever foods are available to you. And if you want to lose less or more, it’s just a question of staying with the plan for a shorter or longer time. When a person reaches their ideal weight, the loss should slow down.
Hi I almost purchased the books but it was going on charge me $97.00 for shipping is this right as it took it from $37.00 US dollars to over a hundred and I am in Australia so that is very expensive otherwise would love to order
Cheers Mel
The international shipping is expensive. It’s a big box and pretty heavy. For anyone outside the USA and Canada, I would advise that you order the downloadable version only. You can print everything yourself if you want to, or just save it to a computer and read it on screen.
I bought the book but how do I get to the online version? I’d like to put it on my iPad so I’ll always have it with me or is it not downloadable?
Yes it’s downloadable. They will have sent you an email with your download link. Please check your spam folder of the email that you gave when purchasing, and if you still don’t see it, you’ll need to contact their support at Metabolic Factor (contact link is at the bottom of the page).
Great review. Thank you!
I am in hormone therapy. Will this work for me since my hormones are already being artificially tweaked?
I don’t know of any reason why not. If you mean sex-related hormones like estrogen or testosterone, there’s nothing specific to those in Metabolic Factor. The hormones it addresses are insulin, leptin, and thyroid hormone.
However, to be safe, it’s best to check with your doctor before starting any new diet plan. Especially if you are taking insulin for diabetes, or having thyroid treatment.
This is day 1! I did the SHMEC tracker and my measurments, where is the “VITALITY” test???
Hi Pauline
I believe it’s the Health Tracker tab on the spreadsheet.
When you have opened the SHMEC tracker, if you look at the bottom of your screen there are some other tabs. One is the Body Shape tracker where you enter your measurements, and another one is the Health Tracker.
Hope that helps,
Rosemary
Hi Karla,
You can download OpenOffice which is free and you can open it with the Calc program on that.
Hope that helps
question.
i am vegan but would be interested in your program. i guess you might not have a program for my dietary needs, do you?
Low carb diets are possible for vegetarians who eat eggs and cheese, but I wouldn’t recommend them for vegans. You would have to eat unhealthy amounts of fat to get enough calories, I think. However, you could still follow one of the exercise programs that I have reviewed, like Metabolic Prime.
Can you drink alcohol on this program? I’ve just started, and so far can’t find anything on caffeine and alcohol. I drink decaf coffee with coconut milk on the weekends, and green tea during the week.
Hi Becky,
There’s a section called “Caffeine and Alcohol: Allowed or Banned?” at the end of chapter 14 (on page 94 of mine, but I’m looking at the online version so page numbers may vary).