The 17 day diet ????

Any fad diet is pretty worthless. Why? Because typically it is a short term solution and not sustainable long-term. What that means that like any fad diet (think: Special K diet) after you are off of it the weight does not stay off for good. Often it comes back on quickly (went off quickly too) and this can be harmful to your body if you keep yo-yo dieting like this.

I hate the word "DIET". It assumes a period in time, not a lifestyle change. If people ask me "Are you on a diet?", I respond with "No, I've changed my diet by making a life decision to eat healthier.

So when I hear "17 day diet", It is just that. A quick fix for a short term weight loss. I wish we could ban the phrase "on a diet".

Well, it isn't JUST about losing the weight. It is even more about doing it in such a way as to be able to keep it off when you have hit your goal. I am not familiar with the 17 day diet, but anything that restricts your calorie intake excessively, or is not something you can phase off of, I would steer clear of.

I started the 17 Day Diet on June 23. I've lost a total of 20 lbs and 13 inches, and I've never felt better.

I'm an RN, and I'm 51 years old. I've been overweight all my life. As a nurse, of course I know and understand the need for a certain type of eating to be fit and healthy. However, sometimes "knowing" what to do does NOT give you the tools to get it done.

Until you read the book, I would respectfully request that people not call it a "fad" or a "quick fix". The program was actually originally intended for those that are not always overweight, and they just wanted a structured plan to lose weight gained over the holidays, so it doesn't snowball into a bigger weight gain. The author then ended up expanding it to be more of a lifestyle change for those of us with "serious" weight to lose. (I've got 60 lbs to get off me... well, only 40 now, tee hee!)

It's unfortunate that people fight the word "diet". When those around me have challenged why I'm eating the way I am, I proudly say that I'm "ON A DIET"... or I'm "doing" the 17 Day Diet - I don't have to go into any long explanations about trying to lose weight, trying to eat clean, whatever... it's a quick and simple response.

People say "well, the bad thing about diets is, once you 'go off' the diet, your weight comes right back!".... well DUH! That's why I'm looking at this as a "lifetime Diet", it IS how I want to live the rest of my life! I never want to be "off" this Diet, I love it and plan to live it forever!

A quick synopsis - it's not a Diet that is OVER in 17 days. There are 4 cycles... the first 3 cycles are 17 Days EACH. So when you are on the "more restrictive" Cycle 1, and you are struggling, HEY... it's ONLY for 17 days! Then you hit Cycle 2 - adding some healthy carbs back in slowly. Again, just 17 days of this, then Cycle 3 with more liberal use of carbs, but you'll find what you are doing is EATING CLEAN. That "thing" we all WANT to do, but just don't know how to get there. THIS DIET GOT ME THERE - WOOT WOOT!

You then go back to Cycle 1 and start again, repeating the Cycles until you make it to your goal weight. The purpose of the Cycles is to prevent the dreaded "plateau", and I'm telling you, it sure seems to be working for me!

AT ANY TIME during this Diet, when you hit your Goal Weight, you go on to Cycle 4 - Maintenance. Mostly eating clean, healthy meals, with some "free" meals allowed in limited numbers - enough to let you live your life and still be fit and healthy.

AT ANY TIME you find you've gained some weight back, you can START BACK AT CYCLE 1 to get that weight off before you regain everything.

I'm currently on Round 2, Cycle 1, Day 11. I actually was looking forward to being back on Cycle 1 - it's the most restrictive cycle, but that's EASIER for me... it seems that the more freedoms I have, the poorer choices I make!

Anyway, as with all diets, this one is not for everyone. But I'm so thankful I found it, the book is a terrific read, it all makes perfect sense, and the author is quite funny while also being very direct, pulling no punches. Here are a couple of lines from the book, in the beginning when he is introducing the diet...

"But you do have to accept that this won't be a pleasure diet. You've got to stop eating unhealthy crap. You've got to eat vegetables, fruit, lean meat."

"You won't be faint with hunger or found in the kitchen at midnight, feeding on Froot Loops and tubes of cookie dough. You can do this, because anyone can do anything for 17 days."

"The 17 Day Diet is doable and easy - unlike so many other diets, which are slightly less complicated than the checklist for a shuttle launch."

The book is also loaded with research and study results that support his way of losing weight and keeping it off.

OK, I'm off my 17 Day Diet soapbox. I swear I make no money off the diet, I'm not attached to it in any way, I'm just grateful I found it and I hope you get a chance to read the book - you might find it's what you've been looking for to get you started on a healthy lifestyle.

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Ice