17-Day Diet the new weight loss rage
There's a new diet rage that has cropped up just in time for us to slim down in preparation for bathing suit season.
The 17-Day Diet is the idea of Michael Moreno, a hunky family medicine doctor in California.
It's gotten the attention of Dr. Phil and the talk show The Doctors, which have featured segments about the diet on its shows.
The diet seems very similar to the South Beach diet, which restricts carbs and then reintroduces good carbs into the diet.
Moreno's diet has three cycles that last 17 days. The cycles, he says, prevent boredom and triggers calorie confusion which helps burn calories and fat faster.
Cycle 1 is the most restrictive, allowing for 1,200 calories a day and eliminating bad carbs.
Cycle 2 allows for 200 more calories and adds two-servings of healthy carbs
Cycle 3 once again allows for more calories including small snacks and 1 serving of alcohol
Cycle 4 is when you hit your goal weight and are working to maintain it. It allows for some splurging on weekends.
The diet also calls for exercise - 17 minutes a day in cycle 1, ramping up with each cycle.
Here is a more detailed description and review of the diet on WEBMD.
What do you readers think? It seems less restrictive then most diets once you get past cycle 1. And it encourages healthy eating. But would you try it?
What other diets have you found worked for you?
Tell us your thoughts.
Comments
The “17-Day Diet” is definitely a cyber brush fire and there is some sound medical science behind it. However, limiting one's self to a near starvation diet of 1,200 calories for initial fast results is a form of self abuse. It is a monumental task requiring a strong support system or social isolation. There could well be unintended consequences to overwhelming the mind-body with rapid major correction in metabolism, such as chronic fatigue, dangerous drops in blood sugar, traumatic injury from passing out and damage to the brain and other vital organs from a sudden loss of nutrition. Accordingly, we cannot afford to throw caution to the wind and suddenly cut our caloric intake by 50% or more without serious repercussions. Even if it is for a short time, the sudden drop in blood sugar and albumin can be catastrophic, especially if there are any undiagnosed heart conditions or other ailments brewing in the mind-body. Therefore, I strongly recommend that people pause for a moment and think about the consequences of prolonged fasting. Before you make a quantum leap over the abyss, check out the other side and see where you are going to land. Consult a physician and/or nutritionist and explore what works for you. Weight loss programs have to be tailored to the individual. Cookie cutter diets don't work the same for everybody and for many the 17-Day Diet can be 17 days to disaster. More at http://moshesharon.wordpress.com
Posted by: Moshe Sharon | April 8, 2011 12:13 PM
My mom did the Accu Weight / Bead Diet a couple of years ago for maybe two or three months and lost quite a bit of weight. It was effective, but made her feel sick up front. It's also hard to follow. A couple of times since then she's tried to do her own tweaked version of it without the check-ups, monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar at home, etc, but I think that misses part of the point, and it hasn't worked as well. It was good for one-time weight loss.
When I was trying to get rid of pudge after college, I cut carbs 6 days a week and started doing mat pilates at home and that took off maybe 10 lbs for me. Now I need more group activities and variation to get motivated :)
Posted by: Heather | April 8, 2011 8:32 PM
Most people don't realize that weight loss is the easy part, it's keeping it off that is difficult. Dr Oz once said, "I can put you on an IV and you will lose weight but once you get home back to your same eating habits all the weight will come back.
Although people are always looking for a quick and easy weight loss approach, it's actually the process, the habits you learn on the way to your goal weight that will keep you there.
So, in my professional opinion as a nutritionist, save your money, this book is another gimmick that will end up in the e-bookshelf.
Posted by: Running on Green | April 9, 2011 12:43 PM
They can organize the food any way they want but the basic message is the same: reduce intake and increase exercise.
Posted by: fea24 | April 10, 2011 9:06 AM
its not diets that people need, they need LIFESTYLE changes! eat clean to stay lean! More vegetables, fruits, water, physical activity, lean meats, etc
Posted by: Joe Hamilton | April 10, 2011 12:48 PM
I only did it for a short period of time several years ago, but I have to say, South Beach helped me focus on all the empty calories I was eating. I was constantly debating whether to put mayo on a sub/hero sandwich, and totally disregarding the 100 cal per inch of sub roll. And soda ... it was totally my guilty pleasure, but now, no more.
It also taught me to focus on eating more vegetables and fruit (I'm not convinced that glycemic index is that critical, since I'm not at risk of diabetes, etc.) and that yes, I can be full after eating a salad for lunch.
Does anyone remember if you can drink alcohol in the first phase of South Beach? Can you drink in the first week of this plan?
Posted by: hmm | April 11, 2011 12:10 PM