Dropping a dress or trouser size in little over two weeks may appear too good to be true for most people trying to lose weight - but that's the miracles being achieved by some people following Dr Mike Moreno new book.
Since the launch of the 17 Day Diet, it has been taking the U.S. and parts of Europe by storm, by promises dieters' weight-loss of 10 to 12lbs in little over two to three weeks.
Dr Moreno, who runs a family practice in San Diego, also insists, unlike many fad diets, the results achieved on the 17 day diet plan are very easily sustainable.
This diet is based around four cycles lasting 17 days each that permits his weight loss clients to vary carbohydrates, proteins and fruits to stimulate and speed-up ones own natural metabolism by improve digestion.( Mmm makes sense to me).
During a interview with Good Morning America Dr Mike Moreno stated that he chose a 17-day periods as a means of keeping the body's natural fat burning metabolism as high and active possible.
He said: 'That's just prior to the time when our bodies body starts to recognises the diet as a habit and our metabolisms starts to slow .'
He also went on to explain that this diet promotes what he described as 'clean' eating, which includes avoiding refined sugars and processed foods.
Moreno also instructs dieters to eliminate alcoholic beverages through out the initial stages of the plan - good for him.
Dr Moreno explained that his diet's four phases are meant to 'confuse' to the body's metabolism.
THE SECRET TO DIETING SUCCESS: ABOUT THE FOUR 17-DAY CYCLES
CYCLE 1 - ACCELERATE: To promote rapid weight loss by improving digestive health. It helps clear sugar from the blood to boost fat-burning and discourage fat storage.
CYCLE 2 - ACTIVATE: To reset your metabolism through a strategy that involves increasing and decreasing your caloric consumption to stimulate fat-burning and to help prevent plateaus.
CYCLE 3 - ACHIEVE: To develop good eating habits through the re-introduction of additional foods and move you closer to your goal weight.
CYCLE 4 - ARRIVE (ongoing): To keep you at your goal weight through a program of eating that lets you enjoy your favorite foods on weekends, while eating healthfully during the week.
By never allowing the body to adjust to new eating and exercise regimes, dieters avoid stubborn plateaus.
He writes: 'The weight-reduction portion of this diet is limited to just 17 days at a time so that you aren't demoralized by the thought of endless months of dieting.
'Nor are you apt to plateau like you often do on other diets. The 17 Day Diet keeps your body and metabolism guessing. I call this "body confusion."
'With each 17 Day Cycle, you're changing your calorie count and the foods you eat. By varying these things, you prevent your body from adapting.'
The first cycle, which he calls the 'Accelerate' phase, promotes fat burning, cleansing, and quick weight loss without storing fat.
The second, 'Activate', he claims resets the body's metabolism, and the third, 'Achieve', teaches good eating habits.
The final phase, 'Arrive', combines the first three cycles, as well as allowing dieters to indulge cravings at the weekend.
The book is accompanied by The 17 Minute Workout - a short daily cardio-based routine aimed at promoting fat-burning.
Though medical experts regularly voice their suspicions about diets that promote rapid weight loss, Dr Moreno said his plan is effective and safe if followed correctly.
Instead, the focus is on how to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating breakfast each morning, drinking more water and increasing intake of 'natural', or unprocessed, foods.
