I just got my 6 Week Body Makeover kit. How do I get started? What do I do first?
Because the 6 Week Body Makeover is such a comprehensive program, it can look a little overwhelming at first. Not to worry! We've made it extremely easy to get started.

Here's what you do: grab the two booklets titled Step 1: Find Out What Foods Cause Your Body To Lose Weight and Step 2: Blueprinting Your Body, Step By Step and pop the Quick Start Video into your VCR.

The video will walk you through the simple steps designed to help you accurately Blueprint your body and put together your Body Makeover Book, which will include an Eating Plan and Personalized 18-Minute Body Sculpting Routine that are both completely customized to you. Once you've completed that process, you can start losing weight?by eating! It's that easy!

Is this program complicated or difficult to understand?
Not at all. The 6 Week Body Makeover Program is designed to be very easy to use. From the moment you open the box, it guides you step-by-step though each phase of the simple Blueprinting process, showing you how to create a completely customized weight loss and body-sculpting plan that is just right for you. Most importantly, your program comes with the Help-When-You-Need-It Support Program so you can get expert answers to any questions you may have.

Do I have to read my entire Body Makeover Book before I begin?
Not at all. In fact, in the Introduction section of your Makeover Book you'll see a page called "Don't Read the Whole Book Before You Begin"! There you'll find out exactly how to get started right away so that you can begin to makeover your body in as short a time as possible.

If you're really anxious to get started as soon as you've finished your Quick Start Program, just turn to the tabbed section titled My Custom Eating Plan and start eating according to your plan (found on the "Fast Track Menu Card"). Even if you do nothing but the eating plan, you'll see dramatic results in just the first week.

Do I really have to check with my doctor before beginning the 6 Week Body Makeover program?
This is an aggressive weight loss plan designed to dramatically change the shape of your body very quickly. Before beginning this, or any other weight loss program, it is important to consult your physician or health care provider, particularly if you are taking any medication or have any special medical conditions. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, high or low blood pressure, or food allergies, make sure you also consult the "Tweaking Your Plan for Special Conditions" portion of the Using Food to Lose Fat section of your Makeover Book before you start. This will help you adjust your plan to your special body chemistry so that you may achieve maximum results.

How is this program customized to me and to my body type?
Your 6 Week Body Makeover program walks you through Michael Thurmond's unique "Body Blueprinting"process that accurately identifies both your individual metabolism and your specific problem areas. This process is easy and only takes about 10 to 20 minutes. After that, the program shows you how to create a totally customized eating plan, designed to reprogram your personal metabolism so you lose weight automatically. The program also creates a personalized 18-Minute Body Sculpting Routine just for you, targeted to your own individual problem areas so you shape just where you need to shape. Because your program is totally customized to you, you'll see results faster than you ever thought possible.

I want to see results right away. Should I start with the 6-Day Mini Makeover?
We don't advise starting with the 6 Day Mini-Makeover. This food plan is extremely advanced. It is designed to be used after you have been on your regular food plan for at least 6 weeks. You'll also want to allow your body to adjust to the new eating lifestyle and give your metabolism time to rev up before trying something so advanced.

The 6 Day Mini-Makeover is best if you have a special event coming up or hit a plateau after doing your program for awhile. However, we don't recommend doing two sessions of the 6 Day Mini-Makeover back to back? it works better if you do after another 6 weeks of your regular 6 Week Body Makeover eating plan first.

I'm just starting and I've had some or all of the following: headaches, feeling tired, feeling dizzy, diarrhea, upset stomach. What's going on?
It's not uncommon for people who are starting out on their program to go through a period of detox. These symptoms usually indicate sugar and/or salt withdrawal. Thankfully, these pass in a few days. As you continue your program, you will notice increased energy as the body cleanses itself from the salt and/or sugar. It is important to drink at least 100 oz of water as this will help flush the toxins from your body.

If symptoms continue, read the section in your book called "Tweaking the Plan for Special Conditions"? "Hypoglycemia", in the "Using Food to Lose Fat" chapter.

Creatine:
5 grams/day for men
2.5 grams/day for women
Iron:
100 mg/day for men
50 mg/day for women
B-12:
2000 mg/day for men
1000 mg/day for women
Optional Supplements:
Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's):
4 Pills/3 times a day for men
2 Pills/3 times a day for women
Glutamine:
5 grams twice a day for men
2.5 grams twice a day for women

I finished the program but have not reached my goal. Do I start over with another 6 weeks?
The 6 Week Body Makeover is called that because if you follow the program closely, you will definitely notice changes in that time frame. Depending on how much weight you have to lose to reach your goal, you may need to do several 6-week sessions. Losing weight too rapidly may not be healthy.

Taking a break between sessions is not recommended as you could easily slip back into bad habits and undo the good progress you've made. Instead, we recommend that you continue right on to the next session.
Remember, this program is a change in your eating lifestyle, not a diet that you do for a while then quit.

My husband/boyfriend is doing this program with me and is losing more weight than I am. Why?
In general, men tend to drop the weight faster and easier than women. The difference in body chemistry, including hormones, and general body makeup is the main factor. Men tend to have more muscle mass than women and this makes it easier for them to drop the weight. Also, women are dealing with monthly hormonal changes, which definitely have an influence on weight.

As long as you follow your program, you will reach your goal weight and/or size.

I've lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks, but I see other people have lost 30 pounds in the same time. What am I doing wrong?
In general, the people who have more weight to take off tend to have more dramatic weight reduction than those who are not as overweight.
Also, as one gets closer to goal weight, the rate of progress often slows down. It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong!

What eating schedule should I follow when I sleep in, work a graveyard shift, or am up for 24 hours?
What ever time you get up, you still should start with breakfast and continue with your normal eating pattern. You can have your meals closer to 2? 2? hours apart in order to get at least 5 meals.

If you are up and awake for extended periods of time, like 24-hour shifts, your body will need nutrition to keep it going. So you would still eat every 2? to 3 hours. You can repeat the same eating pattern starting with breakfast after your evening snack.

I am taking medication for a medical condition. Will the program still work for me?
Absolutely. The most beneficial feature of the 6 Week Body Makeover system is that it's totally customized to you and adapts to your special needs. This program takes into account many of the common medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, ulcers, a thyroid condition, a sore back, joint injuries and many others. In most cases, a small adjustment to the program is all it takes to accommodate a special condition. Read the section in your book called "Tweaking the Plan for Special Conditions" in the "Using Food to Lose Fat" chapter for initial guidelines.

After you have created your customized eating plan, take it to your doctor. They will advise you on any additional tweaks needed for your program. In fact, we highly recommended you make your doctor or health care provider a true partner in you makeover program. They can be a tremendous asset in helping you create a body makeover program that addresses all your individual needs.

We have a number of people who take medications for health conditions such as thyroid or depression and are doing very well with their program. Since everyone's body responds differently, you may experience slower progress when you are taking these kinds of medication. Be assured that if you follow your program, the weight will come off.

I have an injury/health issue and can't do much exercise for several weeks. Can I still lose weight?
Yes! The food plan makes up 70% of the weight reduction.

Several people have started the program and were not able to do much in the way of exercise at first, due to some kind of injury or health issue. These people still experienced a reduction in their weight.

It is highly recommended that you include the cardio exercises as soon as you are able for the maximum effect and health benefits.

What if I get sick when I'm on my program?
Read the section in your book called "What to do if I get Sick" in the "Making It Foolproof" chapter.

Basically, you take care of yourself first and concentrate on getting better. Stay as close to your food plan as possible? Healthy food is exactly what you need! Make sure you don't use being sick as an excuse to indulge in "comfort" foods.

Eat as many meals as you can. If you are not able to eat all your meals, that's fine. Drink plenty of fluids and get some rest, just like the doctor recommended.

When it's that time of the month, I don't see any progress. What's going on?
It's not uncommon for women to slow down on their progress or even gain weight during menses. The good news is that this is temporary. You'll see progress again as long as you stay with your program.

If you are experiencing hunger pangs during this time, be sure that you are drinking your water. You can add free foods to your meals. If neither of these suggestions are helpful, you can temporarily increase your protein portions by 1 oz. Return to your normal portion size when your period is over.

I've been doing my program and now I've got dry skin and/ or hair. What do I do?
Read the section in your book called "Tweaking the Plan for Special Conditions"? "Dry Skin or Hair", in the "Using Food to Lose Fat" chapter. Although salmon and other fish with higher fat content are considered a protein D, you may choose to add these to your program 1-2 times a week until you notice the dryness improving.

Another alternative to protein D fish is to use flax seed oil supplement. You can add about 1 tablespoon to vinegar as a salad dressing. Some people have used Omega 3 supplements with good results.

I started this program as a Body Type A. I haven't seen any change for the last two weeks, so I retook the test and now I"m a Body Type B. Do I stay with the Body Type A food plan or do the Body Type B food plan?
Before you make any changes in your food plan, try the recommendations for breaking out of a plateau first. Your body may need an adjustment period more than a change in food plans. If you don't see any improvement, then consider doing the other food plan for a few weeks and see if that changes things.

It"s not uncommon for a person to come out as a Body Type A, and then redo the questionnaire later and find they are a Body Type B or visa versa. The food plans for Body Type A and Body Type B are very similar. Yet, there is enough of a difference that one will work better for the corresponding body type.

I lost a lot of weight in the first 3 weeks but none for the last two weeks. What am I doing wrong?
You aren't doing anything wrong. You"ve hit a plateau. This is frequently seen around the 4th or 5th week when you first start the program. Others may not reach this until sometime later, but just about everyone experiences a plateau.

Often the body needs some time to adjust to the changes and your weight reaches a plateau. However, you can still be dropping inches. Have you noticed that your clothes feel looser even though there hasn"t been any change in the scale readings? You are building more muscle and muscle is denser than fat... meaning it will weigh more, but takes up less room.

The main thing is not to get discouraged and to keep following your program. Try any or all of the following plateau-busters:
- Increase your cardio, either in duration or frequency
- Add some Rapid Result meals to your daily menu (no more than 2 a day)
- If you've completed at least one 6-week cycle, try the 6-Day Mini Makeover.
- Increase your water intake for a few days. This may help bring your body back into balance.
- If you've been eating the same thing over and over, some variety in your meals can helps. Sometimes, the body gets overly accustomed to the same food all the time.
- Adding free foods to some of your meals may be enough to get the scale moving in the right direction.

Do I have to eat all my meals? Do I have to eat every 2 to 3 hours?
Well, the PM Snack is optional. At that point in the evening, your body is naturally slowing down and you won't be able to metabolize food as quickly. If you're not hungry, you may pass on this meal.

But other than that, it's very important to eat all your meals. One of the reasons that people find it difficult to get rid of the excess weight is that they don't eat enough. The body reacts as though you were starving and will slow down its metabolism and hold onto the fat, just like a hibernating bear. When you eat consistently, the body processes the food for energy, knowing that in a very short time, it will get another portion of food. This is what increases your body metabolism and gets the body to burn the stored fat.

If after the first week you still feel like you have to eat too much food, read the section in your Makeover book titled "Making It Foolproof" which addresses this in more detail.

If I choose the "Easy Breakfast," do I have to choose the "Easy" meals all day long?
Not at all?flexibility is one of the best features of the 6 Week Body Makeover.

You may choose any of the meal choices on the Fast Track Menu Card for each meal, and you may switch them at any time. For example, if you're always running late in the mornings, the "Easy Breakfast" is probably right up your ally. But at lunch time, you may want to pamper yourself a little, so you may choose the "Gourmet Lunch" option. All of the meal options are comprised of the same basic ingredients, the only difference is the amount of effort and culinary skill involved in making them!

What if I get bored with the foods on my Custom Eating Plan?
When you start the 6 Week Body Makeover, you'll probably find that the foods on your meal plan are tastier than any foods you've had on "diets" in the past! That's because you're eating only the freshest, healthiest foods available. You'll be amazed at just how many delicious ways there are to eat right for your Body Type!

Start with your Fast Track Menu cards. If you've been eating the "Easy" meals, why not try a "Gourmet" meal once in a while? The meals are tasty and they don't require much more effort or preparation.

Also take a look at your Infinite Menu Planner. It contains a complete list of all of the various foods on all of the Custom Eating Plans. By referring to the Infinite Menu Planner Choices on your Fast Track Menu Card, you can mix and match the various foods listed in the Infinite Menu Planner and come up with an endless variety of meals that you can enjoy and still lose weight.

Finally, be sure to try some of the Makeover Meals Recipes, which make some of your old favorites, like chili and meatloaf, in a way that fits on any of the Eating Plans!

What if something comes up and I accidentally skip a meal?
Food is the fuel that keeps your metabolism churning, and the more consistently it works, the faster you lose weight. But sometimes the unexpected comes up and you can't help but miss a meal. If that happens, just eat your next meal as soon as you can. Be sure it's on your Meal Plan, but get back into the routine of eating as soon as you're able. Your metabolism will start back up again right away.

Do I measure my portions before or after cooking?
All measurements are done after cooking.

I'm not a big water drinker. Can I add anything to it?
Slices of lemon or lime can be added to give the water some flavor.

Can I still drink coffee, tea, or soda? Does this count towards my 100 oz of water?
You can still have coffee and/or tea (no milk, no sugar). However, since caffeine dehydrates your body, they do not count towards your 100 oz of water. In fact, you should drink more water -- an amount equal to the amount of coffee or tea you drink -- to counter the effects of caffeine.

Herbal teas without caffeine can be counted towards your water.

Diet sodas are not recommended as many of them contain sodium, as well as other chemicals. People have used Diet Rite which has no sodium and uses SplendaR as the sugar substitute when they really feel the desire for soda, but even that should only be used occasionally.

Another alternative is flavored sparkling water for those times you want something bubbly. Check the ingredients first. Some of the flavored sparkling waters contain sodium. Look for low- or no-sodium sparkling waters.

If you do choose to use the 6 Day Mini-Makeover, made as few substitutions as possible.

Can I eat anything between meals, like the free foods?
The free foods are added to your meals only. For best results, you really should't snack between meals.

I keep getting messages that my Private Message mailbox is full, even though I cleaned out my in-box. What else can I do?
Go to your mailbox from My Toolbox. At the bottom of this page, you'll see a drop down field on the right hand side that says Jump to folder: Click on this and select Sent messages. That will open your folder where all your Sent messages are. Clean up this folder and the Mailbox full message will stop.

How do I put one of those cool avatars by my name?
From the My Toolbox, select Edit Options. Scroll down to the bottom of the options. You'll see Avatar under Other Options. Click on Change Avatar to choose your avatar and click Submit Modifications. This will put the chosen avatar next to your name.

What do the letter and numbers under a person's name mean?
The letter is the person's Body Type. The numbers are the Upper, Mid and Lower Body numbers from the person's Body Blueprint.

What do the letter and numbers under a person’s name mean?
The letter is the person’s Body Type. The numbers are the Upper, Mid and Lower Body numbers from the person’s Body Blueprint.

Who is Provida Life Sciences?
Provida Life Sciences is based in Brentwood, California and creates health, fitness and nutritional products used around the world. Provida is dedicated to searching out and developing only those products that truly improve the quality of life. Because of this dedication to quality, as well as value, Provida is quickly becoming the name to trust when you need practical solutions for better living.

What if my 6 Week Body Makeover program is missing pages or components?
Every once in a while we learn of a program that has been delivered with one or two pages missing. If you find that your 6 Week Body Makeover program is missing pages or any one of the necessary components, please call us at 1-888-PROVIDA (1-888-776-8432). We will promptly send you the missing items as quickly as possible so that you can begin your body makeover without further delay.

If the program doesn't work for me, can I get my money back?
Yes! Every product offered by Provida Life Sciences comes with a money back guarantee, and that includes Michael Thurmond's 6 Week Body Makeover.

What is the Money Back Guarantee?
Very simply, once you receive your 6 Week Body Makeover System you get to try it risk-free for a full six weeks. Do the entire program. If you don't lose up to 30 pounds, and totally makeover your body in that time, simply send it back and we'll refund the purchase price, less shipping and handling, no questions asked. It's as simple as that!

Why do you offer a money back guarantee?
It's simple. We know the program works. When you do the 6 Week Body Makeover as outlined in the simple, easy-to-follow directions it's virtually impossible to fail. You will lose the weight you've always wanted to lose. That's because it's based on solid scientific principles. It's worked for thousands of people already. In fact, we've seen it work so often that we know it will work for just about anyone. And we're convinced that once you try it, you too will see incredible results in a remarkably short period of time!

I ordered my program but it didn't arrive for two weeks. Does that count towards my 6-week trial period?
No. Your six-week risk-free trial period starts once you receive the 6 Week Body Makeover system.

How do I request a refund?
If you're not completely satisfied with your 6 Week Body Makeover, simply call Provida Life Sciences at 1-888-PROVIDA (1-888-776-8432) and a Customer Service Representative will be happy to assist you in returning the program.

How will I get my refund if I request it?
If you do decide to request a refund, Provida Life Sciences will refund the purchase price of your program in the same manner you paid for it. If you purchased by credit card, a refund will be issued to that same card. If you paid by check, a check will be returned to you. Additional details are available from the Customer Service Representatives at 1-888-PROVIDA (1-888-776-8432).

Is there any way I can have the program sent to me right away?
With normal shipping you'll get your program within 2-3 weeks. If you make your purchase today in one payment (rather than 4) we'll give you a free upgrade to priority shipping, which guarantees you get the very first packages that arrive in our warehouse and these orders are generally received within 1-2 weeks. If you are very anxious to receive your program right away, for an additional $19.99 we can ship your program within 48 hours by FEDEX 2nd day service.