How The Program was created: THE PROGRAM was originally developed by Stephen Ross after completing his Bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology, Minor in Nutrition and NSCA Personal Trainer Certification. He used the combination of exercise and nutrition to gain effective and lasting results for his clients and himself. Years later we have altered and incorporated it into our present lives. Stephen now works as a Flight Paramedic, on 24 hour shifts, and I, Ashley, as a Nurse, with random hours. Did I mention we also have a toddler. After giving birth to our daughter my body changed drastically. I developed a gluten intolerance and an under active thyroid, which lowered my metabolism. I was not bouncing back into my pre-baby body like everyone said I would. I breastfed for a full year and didn't loose 1 single pound. I needed to make a change. Knowing my husbands background I asked him to train me and to teach me what I needed to do in order to get back into shape. We developed an exercise and nutrition program that would work with our crazy schedule while catering to my new gluten free needs. The results were amazing. In 3 months I was in better shape than I was before I was pregnant. I could see the fronts of my hip bones again, my waistline returned and my butt even started to perk up. From then on we began constantly coaching each other. When we are out of the house with comments like, "Thats not on The Program" people around us eventually started asking questions. What was this program we were on and what were we doing to get these great results? So now we have made it official. This is our life and it is fabulous, we love being in the kitchen together and the gym. I grew up being overweight and have never found anything that worked for me until now. It is the most efficient and healthy way to live and it works for our busy lifestyle. How Does it work: The Program works by combining both nutrition and exercise to reach your health and fitness goals. You cannot have one without the other and get lasting results. Yes, you can just diet and not workout but then you are skinny fat and chances are you will get fat again. We believe the body has muscle memory, as well as, fat memory. This is our theory for why crash diets never work. When you do a crash diet you lose fat but also muscle. Your fat cells don't go away they shrink in size. So when you return to your old habits they regrow with a vengeance. This program is designed to burn fat while building muscle. We want to the body to gain muscle and develop new muscle memory to replace the size of the fat cells its used to. By doing this you increase your metabolism and create an athletic, healthy physique we like to call -Fit. How is this different from other diets: The program teaches healthy habits that last in order for you to reach your goals, as well as maintain them. It you are looking to get skinny fast, well, good luck and pick up this book when that doesn't workout for you. If you are looking to get a lean, athletic build, well you've come to the right place.This program is nothing new, theres no magic or miracles. This is simply a handbook giving you the tools to live a healthy and happy life. Its up to you to make it happen No one is going to do it for you.