Yes, you too can be thin after SEVENTEEN DAYS!!!
Not really.
Darn it.
I may have momentarily thought (hoped) that when I read the title, but sadly, NOTHING is that easy.
Now, I can’t specifically remember where I first saw this book, but I’m pretty sure I walked by it in Chapters at some point. After doing a bit of a web search, I discovered that it’s also been featured on Dr. Phil.
Despite that (ha), I decided to buy it, because I just haven’t spent enough money on diet books in my lifetime (Unrelated: I’ve been shortlisted to win the Guiness record for most useless diet books purchased by one person).
Anywhooooooo,
After reading it, I was actually quite intrigued with the way this diet is laid out. It makes sense, it seems like something I could do because I get to choose the food, and it’s FREE! (minus the one time cost of the book of course).
So how does this work?
Basically this diet is separated into four cycles, but I’ll talk about the first one, since that’s what I’ll be starting. TOMORROW.
Yup.
So here’s what you can eat during the first 17 days (phase one).
- Lean Protein
- Veggies
- Fruit – 2 daily
- Probiotic Foods (ie. Greek yogurt) – 2 daily
- Friendly Fats – 1-2 tbsp daily
That’s it. Of course, there are rules that you have to follow as well, including eating no fruit after 2p.m., drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and exercise every day. Also, the author is big on green tea as well – not sure I’m going to be able to stomach the green tea to be totally honest, but I figure if I do everything else, I’ll skip the green tea.
What this does mean is I have to officially quit the Diet Coke, and put a serious stop to the Starbucks trips too, at least for the next 17 days. This will be the hardest part for me. Cue the tiny violins.
I’ll blog about my progress in a bit, to let you know how it’s going. I’m contemplating starting up a tumblr just for this specifically, to help me keep track of what I’m doing every day, but still undecided on that one.
So, have you heard of this book, or are you actually doing this “super fun” diet yourself? I would love to hear how it’s going for you. Or if you have any questions about the diet, I’m happy to answer them in the comments!!
Wish me luck.
Again.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck! I completely failed on sending you the diet stuff I was planning to. But, sounds like it’s kinda similar to this. I have to get back on the “stop eating processed crap” train. Looking forward to seeing how you do with it.
Thanks Danielle – no worries, I totally forgot to be honest. And the processed crap situation is out of control with me too, and needs to stop. Starbucks – that will be the real challenge because it’s a routine for me that I like.
I definitely wish you luck, and I think you’ll need a lot of it because from what I’ve heard, this diet is TOUGH. My mom did it and she was STARVING! (although she did lose about 17 pounds). And there are a lot of things you can’t eat. I think WW is definitely easier and more “user-friendly”. But I’ll be checking in to see how it goes. Hopefully you find this one easy to follow. All the best! xo
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Thanks – we’ll see how it goes. Right now, I wanted something more restrictive than a diet that lets you eat anything you want as long as you count it. Also I need a nice weight loss in the beginning to keep me motivated – hopefully this is it.
Sounds doable. I will be interested to see how you feel after. I really need to start doing something.
Kate, aka Guavalicious recently posted..Getting Rid of the Mom Uniform
Thanks Kate – I’ll be going from a very poor diet with zero water to this, so hopefully the change will be drastic. We shall see.
Does Starbucks have green tea?
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They do actually – I never thought of that. It’s a good backup in case a girlfriend wants to meet for coffee. Thanks!
Good Luck! I’d have a hard time giving up my coffees also.
Just don’t – whatever you do – buy a green tea latte or frappuccino. They gave me a frappuccino for free once and I still paid too much. Eww.
I’m very interested in this diet as well. I figure I could do just about anything for 17 days. Two and a half weeks? That’s not that long. It’s the ones that want you do follow those rules for the rest of your natural life that I object to.
Good luck – I might just join you.
Karen recently posted..Saturday nights with Mom
Thanks so much Karen. Let me know if you do!!
It seems really doable – not crazy with eliminating stuff. Although I don’t think I’d EVER give up Diet Coke. I love my one a day too much. Good luck! You can do it.
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Thanks so much SHaron!!
Good luck! I think pretty much any diet that requires you to exercise EVERY DAY should work in some way, right?
What exercises are you doing? Just curious…
And p.s I fail SO bad on the water drinking thing. ugh.
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The plan is to use the treadmill, and exercise videos – hopefully it will be better than doing nothing. And I’m so bad at drinking water – but cutting out all other drink options, will make it easier to get down.
Sounds good. You’re gonna do great! Poor Starbucks though, they’re gonna miss you… ;P
Elaine recently posted..Happy early Birthday to my Little G its on Sunday!!!
Thanks Elaine – my husband is THRILLED!! He’s dreaming of all the money we’ll save without Starbucks. I told him to keep his expectations REALLY LOW, or he might get disappointed.
I wish you luck my dear. I hate diets, seriously hate them. I hope this one works out for you. Are you still using those exercise balls you reviewed a few weeks ago? Those intrigued me…
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I’m going to use the treadmill as the main form exercise, and then exercise dvds that I have, and the XBOX Kinect and Wii. I get bored easily (duh) so I need to mix it up!
We are taking a family holiday in a month. We plan to go to a beach or two, so I’ll need to wear a bathing suit. Put it on the other day…um, ya. It wasn’t pretty.
This this is your basic, no carbs, no processed crap, flush out the toxins/water diet, right? I can do it, if you can!
Since I don’t have the book (and put all my $$ into this upcoming trip) I will be following my own version of this – I have no Diet Coke addiction but I cannot cut out caffeine. I want my family to actually like me by the time this vacay rolls around! So, I will switch to milk and skip the sugar. I will fill up my pitcher of water and aim to drain it each day. I envision a LOT of trips to the bathroom. I am also going to get rid of the gluten – no crackers, bread or cereals. I may, however, make some rice pasta or chew on some gluten-free bread.
Good luck, Maria! Know that I will be suffering right along with you
Thanks so much Kelly!!
Lean protein… does that mean you can have hummus? Hummus and veggies is really good! What about nut butters? Not, like Skippy PB, but maybe almond or cashew butter with some sliced apples. That’s yum too.
If you can have greek yogurt, can you make tzatziki? To eat with your veggies? We can’t tzatziki down here in Bogota, so I’ve finally started making it myself. Can’t believe it took me so long! It’s so easy! Being Greek, I’m sure you knew that, but I’m so chuffed with myself for making it from scratch. We’ve gone through a tone the past two weeks.
Good luck, Marie.
YOU. CAN. DO. THIS.
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Thanks Amy!!
In the first 17 days, hummus and tzatziki are a no, but in cycle two you can add some starches, legumes and starchier veggies, so I could work them in then. I’m going to try my best – thanks for the encouragement!!
I did it about a month ago (well the first 17 day cycle). I lost about 10 pounds, but then life got in the way and I stopped doing it. I need to get back into it, and actually work out (I lost that weight just by the food, without working out).
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But why is tzatziki a no, when it’s just yogurt, cucumubers and garlic? Cucumber and garlic are allowed… so… you see? Allowed! I’m doing Atkins now, and yes, AGAIN. Sounds almost the same, except I’m allowed diet coke and coffee and tea. With cream, not milk and sweetener, not sugar. SIGH. Good Luck!
Good luck.
You can do it. I look forward to reading your progress !
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Hey there – how have you been doing thus far?
I began yesterday and have already broken it with 1/2 a WW wrap because I had the most intense migraine to which i attributed to cutting “real” carbs out of my diet.
I am on the second day and doing much better.
Quick question – have you been eating low fat cheese? It says you can make egglant parmesan with low-fat cheese so do you think you can count a low fat babybell as a probiotic? I cant eat yogurt twice daily.
Anyhow, hope you are doing well with it – it is quite difficult but really shows how much you previously consumed which was never really necessary
Best of luck!
Honestly, the day two headache KILLED me, and it was that TOM plus stress/worry associated with waiting on hearing about some moles, and it all leads to big ass failure on my part.
Well I’m taking the plunge and starting the Seventeen Day diet tomorrow. Hope it works…..How has it worked for you? Sandee
Im on day 7. Ive been following this for the most part throw in a diet soda or two, but I am so constipated, I finally had to break down and buy stool softener. I also am going with activia low sugar low fat yogurt b/c of the constipation, couldnt get past that awful taste of greek yogurt ive lost 5 lbs so far im excited but its been difficult going out with family and they are eating the foods I love but I will press on.
Day 2- hoping this works. Trying to lose the last of baby #2 weight gain. looking for support so I am glad I found the blog.
My friend has lost over 50 lbs so far and is loving the diet still. Another woman at work is down over 30 lbs. I start tomorrow. It works because of it’s simplicity, I think. It’s easy to follow and both women said they were never hungry, if they needed something to eat, they ate a handful of veggies with a bit of dip.
I started the diet Monday August 1, 2011 and have lost four pounds. Today is August 3. I am making lists of things to buy at the store for this diet. I was not sure about green tea, but yesterday I guzzled it all day long and found that iced it was easy to swollow and I got used to the taste very quickly — but you have to understand I was a hard core unsweetened orange pekoe tea drinker before that! I drink a lot of tea. I am also guzzling the water he says we have to have. All I have done is visit Mr. Toilet. But the results have been pretty encouraging. I only need to lose 15 pounds. I expect to do that within the first 17 days the way things are going. The main thing I believe will make this successful is being positive and NOT CHEATING. You have to do exactly what he says to do and I intend to do that. I will keep you posted on how things go. I start back to work next Friday (high school teacher) and by then I will be ‘in the groove’ of things and have all my handy kitchen condiments in storage to cook these exiciting new meals with! Yea!
I also just started this diet on Tuesday and this mornings weigh in, Friday, (you know after the morning pee, without clothes, while picking a high number in your head so anything under it will be awesome) I was down 3.6. I think that’s pretty remarkable for just a few days of extra planning. You only have to excercise 17 mins a day and I haven’t been hungry at all.
My biggest issue was snacking at night (usually ice cream) and just trying to live without carbs and sugar in general. I definitely felt a bit tired and fatigued the first two days (withdrawl) and the first evening I also had a killer headache but I’m certain I didn’t drink nearly enough water the first day. I did have trouble getting used to the hot lemon water every morning but where as I gaged the first few mornings (it’s not easy trying to chug hot water) I’m finally getting used to it.
I also have come to look forward to my evening reward (initially I would’ve called it extreme deprivation but anything is compared to ice cream) of greek yogurt or cottage cheese with sweetner and polander’s sugar free strawberry jam.
It’s easy to throw ourselves a pity party and often difficult to feel deprived. Do I deserve that sundae, maybe I think I do, but perhaps not 20 out of 30 nights. I’m trying to remember that each time I pass on that huge oooey gooey bowl of melting dairy, I’m also melting inches off my thighs. The idea of those size 6 Seven For All Mankind’s I once squeezed into sounds really appealing too! For once it seems like enough of a reward.
P.S. to those with a green tea issue, I found Arizona Pomegranate Green iced tea and it’s sweetened with splenda so it should be legal. I think I drank about 64oz yesterday and it really kept my hunger at bay. So have hard boiled egg whites.
I have been on the diet faithfully since Aug 1. As of this morning, I have lost 7 lbs.! I love the diet!
Hi. I’m seriously thinking of trying the 17 day diet (just have to order the book), and was wondering how its going for all of you that I’ve been reading about ? Any suggestions now that you’ve been doing it awhile ? Even just a thumbs’ up or down ? Is it worth the effort ? I sure hope I hear back from someone…please !
Hey Alice, I say if you’re desperate the 17 day diet is worth a try. Sometimes the extreme rules of diets are enough to keep you going until you stop. I wasn’t able to lose more than the initial three pounds and then of course I went right back to my ice cream at night after I quit and now I’m right back to where I was. I’ve been using hoodia supplements the last three days which is a natural appetite suppressant and it has really helped me eat a lot less and also I’ve added exercise and that helps me make smarter choices.
I can honestly and sadly say at 33, after two babies, the only time I’ve ever been happy with my body was while training for a marathon. For once I was focused on something else. But that was just me.
I am doing this diet and found it not that hard. Granted I still alot my self 1 diet coke a day. I am on day 13 and have lost 9 pounds. I do exersise and i wish you sucess. I am hoping for a 40 wieght loss before I am happy. Then plan to maintan the way the book says.
I am down 55 lb. so far (not all in the first cycle). I love the diet and think that Dr. Mike Moreno is a genius. The food is pretty good but you have to be creative or determined to find things that fit and taste good. Here is one that I really like Curry Chicken
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I tried this at the beginning of the year and cheated and stopped i am now starting over again and am on day 4. I havent given up starbucks caramel macchiatos yet but did switch to nonfat milk. Does anyone know of what kind of coffee i CAN get from starbucks? I cannot function without coffee in the morning. I plan on trying to make coffee at home and using Waldens caramel syrup to flavor it but i will not get that until my BF sends it to me since they do not sell it where i am living. these blogs and seeing peoples progress def helps me stick to it.
As a male I started this diet on Jan 2 2011, and I am down almost 60 lbs. I have stuck to this diet faithfully. I do eat a little more fruit and since I am a guy I have a bigger appetite. I eat 8 meals a day and drink a tons of water. Green tea gags me it is the worst part. I am also a server so I walk for 6 -7 hours a day. I am not starving myself and eating as directed, I stand behind this diet 100%. Good luck to all of you
I love the 17 Day Diet and would recommend it to anyone who wanted a healthier lifestyle. I have been on the diet for about 4 months and have lost 67 pounds. So worth it.
10 Tips for Surviving the 17 Day Diet
I have done this over and over again. i have lost over 60lbs and am doing it again to get back to my goal weight after having my baby. this is a wonderful lifestyle change (i dont call it a diet because its not just dieting. its a way of life). some of you think you cant have coffee but you can, if you go out to get your coffee get a “skinny drink” sugar-free/ fat-free drink. Starbucks has skinny Carmel macchiatos and skinny mochas. sometimes they have a skinny peppermint mocha too! i love this so much that i recommend it to everyone I know trying to lose weight. also you can get bottled green tea as long as it has no added sugars, but if its flavored with natural flavors only you can have that as well! Dr Moreno has made this so easy and did all the math for everyone to start with.