17 Day Diet

The Wake-up Call

The unhealthy, fatty, junk foods have for many-a-year been the cause of poor health of people, the world over. This is so because, as much as these foods are unhealthy, they are tasty much the same. And people more often than not tend to ignore the former, in preference to the latter. And due to this, health problems around the world have seen a rise in number, as well as in incident.

Fortunately, the past few years have seen quite a change in this perspective. People have become more health and fitness conscious. Whether the reason is physical or physiological; they have been looking for better and more effective ways to get in shape, and/or for maintenance of the same. This has thus led to nutritionists and doctors working hard on diet plans and fitness regimens. And following in line with the famous South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, Zone Diet etc, we now have the 17-Day Diet.

The 17 Day Diet Background and Basics

In 2010, a Dr. Mike Monroe of San Diego, California created a diet plan aimed at avoiding or ridding of, the typical weight gain during holidays. This is the 17-Day Diet. Ironically, the plan is not limited to just 17 days; or just holidays, for that matter. Rather, the whole diet cycle, involves four phases of 17 days each. Furthermore, it also preaches a daily exercise routine of 17-minute duration.

The plan revolves around switching eating habits, and calorie-intake with each phase. The idea is to keep the metabolism of the body in dire ‘confusion’, so that it is always on ‘alert’ and active. Dr. Mike Monroe cites his research on rapid weight loss has short and long term advantages vs slower weight loss approaches.

The Four Phases Of The 17 Day Diet

The first phase of the cycle is ‘Accelerate’. This involves a very low carbohydrate diet, limiting the calorie intake to about 1,200. This is expected to help in the fat burning as well as cleansing of the body. Moreover, quick loss of weight, of up to 15 pounds, devoid of any fat storage may be expected too.

In the ‘Active’ phase, the calorie intake is increased to about 1,500 a day. This is supposed to ‘reset’ the metabolism rate of the person. That is, keeping it from slowing down due to the ‘Accelerate’ diet.

Following this comes the ‘Achieve’ phase. This part of the diet, aims at helping a person develop good eating habits. A number of earlier restricted foods are re-introduced in the diet. And the low-carbohydrate diet is replaced by a well-balanced diet.

Finally the ‘Arrive’ phase steps in. It is a combination of the first three phases; that is advised to be kept up for a lifetime of healthy living. It involves following a healthy diet during the week; and splurging on your favorite foods, during the weekends. But, if this splurging leads you to gain weight in excess of 5 pounds you are recommended to restart from the second phase.

The 17-Day Diet, if followed religiously, promises you fast loss of visceral as well as belly fat; that too with long-lasting effects.

Exercise

The 17-Day Diet advocates regular exercises consisting of at least 17 minutes of exercises per day, 6 days a week.  To assist dieters, the 17 Day Diet includes an exercise DVD.

Recommended Foods

Turkey breast, seafood, chicken breast, eggs, yogurt, grapefruit, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, berries, lettuce, green tea, tomato, cucumber.

The 17 Day Sample Diet Meal Plan

Sample Day 1

Breakfast	Breakfast Omelet
Lunch	Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo
Dinner	Old World Beef Bourguignon

 

Sample Day 2

Breakfast	Mixed Berry Crepe
Lunch	Philly Inspired Chicken
Dinner	Pork Tenderloin With Olive Tepenade

 

Sample Day 3

Breakfast	Breakfast Omelet
Lunch	Brocolli and Beef Dinner
Dinner	Sausage Dinner

 

What makes the 17-Day Diet Great?

• Non-Monotonous: With the diet changing every 17 days, the plan is far from boring. In fact, it is more like following four small diets than a single 68-day diet. This makes it quite doable.

• Fast Results=Motivation: The plan promises a loss of up to 15 pounds, or at least an average of 10 pounds, in the first seventeen days itself. This, with a chance to lose another 5 pounds in the second phase, is more than enough motivation.

• A Simple and Balanced Diet: The 17-Day Diet follows an eating plan which is very simple to understand and follow. Moreover, it does not focus on just a few food groups. Rather it allows for all kinds of foods, and makes room for the ‘junk’ ones too. Thus, you are not really deprived of anything that you might like.

• Long-term Emphasis: This plan helps you learn how to eat your carbohydrates the right way. Moreover, they introduce you to healthy eating habits, keeping your taste buds in mind; so they can last a lifetime.

• Short Exercise Program: The good thing about this plan is that, its exercise program is quite short (only 17 minutes), that even the busiest of persons can afford to follow.

• Extras: Apart from meal plans the book contains recipes too; plus tips, to avoid weight gain during the holiday season. Dieters are even offered home delivery of meals, as per the diet plan; at additional cost.

What the Critiques have to Say?

• No Scientific Evidence: There is no scientific proof, about what effect, if any at all, calorie-cycling may have on a person’s metabolic rate. In fact, calorie-cycling seems to happen naturally for a number of people; without affecting their weight.

• Not Suitable for All: The 17-Day Diet, its first phase to be specific, is too low in calories and fiber for people with a physically active lifestyle. And on a whole, the plan is not suitable for pregnant/lactating women, teens, sick people and type-1 diabetics. In fact, intake of multi-vitamin supplements may be prudent.

Cost and Expenses

The book is available only online for $25. The exercise DVD is available for an additional $15. Some specific branded snack, and special meal preparations advised in the plan would take this cost even further up.

Conclusion

Losing weight, following any diet plan, may be possible; but maintaining that loss requires a life-long commitment to oneself. It requires not just a short-term change in diet, but a long-term change in an over-all lifestyle.

Yes, this 17-Day Diet claims to help you do just that. Following a good balanced diet; exercising regularly; and drinking plenty of water are good place to start the change.

So, the book may be a good investment if you WANT a direction. Because remember, even with the book, it is you who has to do the following and bring about the change. After all, all that the book can do is guide.

See also

The 17 Day Diet: A Doctor’s Plan Designed for Rapid Results
By Mike Moreno