"17 Day Diet" promises radical weight loss: Does it deliver?

Dr. Michael Moreno explains the "17 Day Diet." Does it really work?

/ the17daydiet.com

(CBS) How would you like to lose 10 to 15 pounds in 17 days?

Well the "17 Day Diet," which seems to mix numerology with calorie restriction, says you can. And lots of television shows, including "Dr. Phil," "The Doctors" and "Good Morning America" seem to have bought in.

The plan has four food cycles of 17 days each. It also recommends walking 17 minutes a day and we assume lots of other totally normal activities that are somehow enhanced with the number 17.

Why is 17 the magic number?

Dr. Michael Moreno, the diet's creator, claims changing the routine every 17 days prevents the body from getting used to the diet and avoids the dreaded dieter's plateau.

"There's scientific evidence that has been researched, Moreno told Dr. Phil. "We call it metabolic or body confusion."

But some experts wonder what research he has been studying.

"His theory of cutting calories and exercise will help you lose weight, but there is no proof that metabolism mixing will help," registered dietitian Marisa Sherry tells CBS News.

Sherry also questioned some of the diet's other quirky rules, like no carbs or fruit after 2 p.m. "There's no proof that after certain times of day your body loses the ability to digest carbohydrates," she says.

How about the diet's shock and awe strategy of pushing you to lose 10 to 15 pounds in the first 17 days by eating just 1,200 calories a day?

"This phase cleanses, hydrates, removes unhealthy carbs, improves unhealthy eating habits, and stimulates fat metabolism," Moreno told WebMD.

"You are cleansing your body of the unhealthy foods you have been eating," says Sherry. "But if you are not consuming enough calories to meet your resting metabolic needs, then you are in starvation mode which actually slows your metabolism."

Moreno admits much of the weight lost in the first cycle is water weight. Cycle 2 of the diet adds more calories and exercise and promises to help you drop another five to six pounds. Cycle 3 adds more healthy food choices and cycle 4 is a maintenance program to help you keep off the weight you have lost.

Whatever the science, lots of people seem to be losing lots of weight. And a small movement of testimonial videos on Youtube has emerged.

And that makes perfect sense, says Sherry.

"Cut your calories and increase your exercise, that's how it's done," she says. "If you can get away from the rules that aren't based on science, it should work just fine."

[bjamie100]

This diet plan is something I think will work. My mom used a similiar four step diet plan. She lost a lot of weight and has kept it off. If anyone is interested in learning about some other diets that work visit http://dietsthatworkgood.com/

[rana1863]

Natural weight loss is the best option in my opinion becasue it is healthy and have no side effects. Here you can find different natural and healthy weight loss methods:-
http://www.howyouloseweight.wordpress.com

[roney24]

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[sarah366]

Here are some great tasting 17 day diet recipes:

http://shrinktheplanet-weightloss.com/weightloss-diets/?cat=282.

[sarah366]

I lost 56 pounds on the 17 day diet. It has been a journey - a little difficult at first - you do feel hungry. Cutting out sugar is definitely the hardest part but after a couple week your cravings for sugar are less. And there are some great tasting interesting recipes to keep you going it does get better. I feel great and so grad I finally lost the weight. But I still have 23 pounds to go!

<a href="http://shrinktheplanet-weightloss.com/weightloss-diets/?cat=282">Here are some great tasting recipes and meal suggestions to choose from</a>

[voxpopulus]

"There's no proof that after certain times of day your body loses the ability to digest carbohydrates," That's not even what the diet says.

If you're going to get people to comment, do ask them to do their homework.

And MaxK341, read the book. The book has an eating plan for life.

[whereforart]

Actually, he does say that - it's his rationale for telling dieters not to eat carbs after 2 pm. See page 40-41 of his book. Maybe you should do your homework.

[Nate650]

Just eat unprocessed whole foods, and not too much of it, and you won't need to count calories and will be fine.

[MaxK341]

So what does a person eat after this 17 day diet? A person must choose to eat a sensible diet for the rest of their life if they wish to stabilise their weight and remain healthy. Shortcut diets will certainly damage your health.

[mcoler]

Obviously you haven't done your homework prior to replying. The book gives you the tools and teaches you how to maintain the loss and remain healthy. Please check out your information before replying.