3 Day Diet/Military Diet

bonitacash08

I overheard my coworkers talking about this diet earlier this morning. One was excitedly telling the other about this diet where you can lose 40 lbs in one month and the other was saying "Ooh sign me up".

As I listened to them talk about eating a hot dog and vanilla ice cream and food combinations to burn fat I interrupted and asked "Hey are you talking about that 3 day military diet?" My coworker answered "Yeah! Have you heard of it?" I replied "Yes, and it's very dangerous".

I then proceeded to tell them why it was dangerous, that the diet had its users going from 800-1,000 calories a day and that an extremely short, thin woman shouldn't go under 1,200 calories, that the average for a healthy woman is anywhere from 2,000 to 2,500. I told them about the side effects (headaches, irritability, fatigue, light-headedness, and possibly more serious ones like passing out), as well as the weight being lost being water weight and that it will be gained back as soon as they return to their regular eating habits.

My coworker said she was still going to try it!

I know it's none of my business what other adults do, but I cannot in good conscious listen to people I genuinely care about discussing doing potentially dangerous things to their bodies.

Ugh!

Fit4Life1029

I am sad to admit I did try this as well. But for ONLY the 3 days because all the side effects you described I had. Despite all that, I only lost 4 lbs.

pastryari

They'll learn the hard way. I don't even bother anymore. I just nod my head and smile and say good luck.

NutellaAddict

and why is it called the "military diet?"

ETA : I'm assuming it's called this because in basic we really didn't eat that much (or were given time to eat...I recall having 45 seconds to a minute for lunch LOL)....and then PT our a$$es off..

K_Serz

Any diet thats only 3 days MUST WORK!

thecakelocker

People want to believe in the magic cure so badly. :frown:

VeinsAndBones

-_- just do it don't post, getting sick of sheep posting (does this diet work?) seriously a diet is not a maintainable lifestyle and thus your likely not to continue with it

k8wizzo

and why is it called the "military diet?"

ETA : I'm assuming it's called this because in basic we really didn't eat that much (or were given time to eat...I recall having 45 seconds to a minute for lunch LOL)....and then PT our a$$es off..

It's also been called a number of other names--Mayo Clinic diet, Hershey Med Center diet, etc, though none of those places have ever endorsed it. Put a hospital, cardiology center, or other official-sounding (military) name on something and people think it must be healthy and it must really work.

bonitacash08

-_- just do it don't post, getting sick of sheep posting (does this diet work?) seriously a diet is not a maintainable lifestyle and thus your likely not to continue with it

I appreciate your advice but did you even read the post?

Cr01502

This is exactly why I restrict my fitness and nutrition conversation to MFP only.

If I was to deal with some of these fad diets and myths in real life . . . I'd more than likely hurt somebody.

HHackney

I have a cousin in medical school who has chosen to be injected with urine in order to lose weight....there is no end to what I believe people will do to avoid simply changing their eating habits and becoming more active. I'm at the "smile and wave" point now.

PikaKnight

-_- just do it don't post, getting sick of sheep posting (does this diet work?) seriously a diet is not a maintainable lifestyle and thus your likely not to continue with it

Errr..I feel you on this BUT....that wasn't what the OP was saying..lol.

Edited to add the below gif because this post reminds me of this:

PikaKnight

OP, you should have asked, 'So...what happens on Day 4 and on?" See their eyes glaze over. If you are lucky, you'll get a stutter and you'll have giggle material for the rest of the day.

pastryari

-_- just do it don't post, getting sick of sheep posting (does this diet work?) seriously a diet is not a maintainable lifestyle and thus your likely not to continue with it

Fail.

PikaKnight

This is exactly why I restrict my fitness and nutrition conversation to MFP only.

If I was to deal with some of these fad diets and myths in real life . . . I'd more than likely hurt somebody.

Sign me up! Oh wait what? Wrong topic!!!

Leslietheriot

My 300 pound husband was doing this diet and trying to convince me to do it too. This is the dumbest thing I have heard of. Low on calories and NOT nutritionally complete.

Lifting_Knitter

-_- just do it don't post, getting sick of sheep posting (does this diet work?) seriously a diet is not a maintainable lifestyle and thus your likely not to continue with it

I appreciate your advice but did you even read the post?

I doubt he did. Wow. Major fail

Honestly, people are so desperate that they don't care anymore and they probably don't understand fully. They just want ice cream and hot dogs.

Beckboo0912

WAIT!!!! You mean these diets don't last forever? Looks like it's hard work for everyone, they will figure it out eventually.

briabner

Terrible to say that I actually tried this too but for only 3 days and I felt HORRIBLE all 3 days. I actually only made it halfway through day 2 before I caved and started eating normally again. I would not recom. this to anyone.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

and why is it called the "military diet?"

ETA : I'm assuming it's called this because in basic we really didn't eat that much (or were given time to eat...I recall having 45 seconds to a minute for lunch LOL)....and then PT our a$$es off..

Probably supposed to give it some authority. I've seen guys do some crazy things to make weight, but that's not one of them.

theCarlton

and why is it called the "military diet?"

Because the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was a sailor, and he could only last 3 days on this diet.

bonitacash08

I am sad to admit I did try this as well. But for ONLY the 3 days because all the side effects you described I had. Despite all that, I only lost 4 lbs.

People want to think they're gonna have different results than EVERYONE else.. I had that same mentality with the 1,200/day routine.. It all ends up the same unfortunately..

taiyola

People want to believe in the magic cure so badly. :frown:

*nods*

Women chat about these kind of diets all day long at work. It's annoying.

Leslietheriot

and why is it called the "military diet?"

ETA : I'm assuming it's called this because in basic we really didn't eat that much (or were given time to eat...I recall having 45 seconds to a minute for lunch LOL)....and then PT our a$$es off..

Because the ones that cant meet their weight requirements do this to drop weight fast.

ArubyC

I couldn't help but read all these comments. The military diet is not dangerous if you are wise about your choices. This diet was intended for men and women who were/are over weight and wanted to join the army, military, navy etc. It was not intended for "regular folk" seeking to lose weight just because they "feel" fat. It is also not recommended if the person is trying to lose more than 40 pounds as it does not work that way. As i said it is mainly for those who want to join a U.S. force but are over weight.:drinker:

Flora_k

Sounds a bit similar to the hCG Diet and I fell for that one. Yes, you lose weight but you also lose your health! A lot of side effects may not even show up for years but you are damaging your internal organs.

Former Army gal here and this, as most of you know, is not a military diet nor would they ever recommend this to get into the military. This would do so much damage to your metabolism as well.

Another scam and desperate people fall for it.

ndj1979

tell them its also called the unicorn and fairy diet in Asia...

tkaselj

I just recently did this diet and consider myself a very fit woman. I work out 5-6 days a week and eat healthy. It is not dangerous to do for three days. I did it before I went on vacation to ensure that I looked great in my bikini. I am a very healthy person who eats well. I had plenty of energy for the three days, and I do believe in intermittent fasting. I wouldn't do it long term but it also kept my appetite down so I didn't overeat on my vacation. Some people believe in calorie restriction as a way of prolonging life. The diet includes grapefruit, eggs and bananas which are foods I eat on a daily basis anyway. For the long term it isn't something I would promote but for a quick slim down I would do it again. Even though it is water loss, I know I looked great for my trip and kept the weight off because I went back to eating reasonably. Many people will binge for three days or more and that will do much more damage to your health than a few days of light eating.

carolinelhammond1

I am an active woman who eats healthy and maintains a healthy weight. I have done this diet and see nothing wrong with it. There are so many nutritional styles out there that promote balance and that is just what this does. "French Women Don't Get Fat" talks about enjoying good food and good wine, but balancing every few days with a meager diet. This is almost identical. Actually the military diet recommends the 'Mediterranean Diet" as a healthy way to eat on the four days off the diet.
The diet itself is simple and perfect. It trains not just metabolism but your willpower. It is almost like an intermittent fast which people have been doing to clear their bodies and minds since the beginning of time.
It's not a scam, it costs next to nothing, I find it easy, there ARE substitutions (I use nitrate free turkey franks instead of the hot dogs), high water consumption is encouraged, alcohol and artificial sweeteners are forbidden, there are no shakes or meal "supplements", and you lose weight!
If nothing else, it is a nice jump start to motivate you into healthier everyday nutrition because it's nice to see a few pounds come off to get you started.
I have never felt irritable, head-achy, light headed, or any of the above on the diet. Those who do feel those things should listen to their bodies instead of complaining that the diet is not healthy. Any change that brings on those types of symptoms usually means that the body is toxin dependent and when it doesn't get it's daily dose of whatever the suspects may be: sugar, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, GMOs, saturated fats...then it reacts. So if you have those symptoms, look within. Don't blame the diet. If you did a fast you'd feel 10 times worse. But it would only get better in the long run!

Wetcoaster

" It trains not just metabolism"


No it doesn't.

lakindadavis3

I tried this diet 3 years ago along with a prescription of phentermine (to control my appetite). I tried this diet for a month. My starting weight wa 196 and my ending weight was 174. I adjusted my stomach to eating small meals. You can not do this diet and say hey I'm going to pig out on my four days I can eat what I want. I kept my weight around the 170's for year. Then I started overeating again and I'm in the 180's now. I just started this diet Sunday again at 184. I never lost 10 ponds a week bit I lost anywhere from 3 yo 7 lbs a week.