The Ultimate New York Diet comes from celebrity fitness trainer David Kirsch.
Kirsch says you can “expect to lose up to 14 pounds, five inches off your waist, and a heavy percentage of body fat during the first two weeks of the plan alone”.According to Kirsch there is something very “New York” about wanting to change your life in just two weeks. Of course he also carefully points out that this is a plan for life.
Nutritionally the plan takes a low-carb high-protein approach.
Phase 1
Two weeks long. Don’t eat: alcohol, bread, starchy carbs, dairy, coffee, extra sweets, fruit and most fats. Do eat, nuts, chicken breast, mushrooms, egg whites, salmon, low-starch vegetables, and lots of whey protein.
Daily Calories: 800-1000.
Phase 2
Two weeks long. Similar to phase 1 but with the addition of one extra daily carbohydrate serving (e.g. beans, sweet potatoes, berries, apples).
Calories: 900-1000
Phase 3
(the “lifelong” phase)
Some of the “forbidden” foods in Phase 1 can be introduced in moderation.
New York Diet Pros
- The book has a lot of material, including recipes, and a well-written and comprehensive section on exercise. A number of workouts have been described including pictures and diagrams – using mostly body weight, a medicine ball, and a large exercise ball.
- There is a useful section on “How to eat out” describing options for many popular restaurants.
- The book has a bibliography that lists references backing up some of the claims mentioned earlier on (this is rare in a diet book).
Cons
- This a very restrictive diet, that, in my opinion, heavily enforces the “dieting mentality” – a negative mindset that I personally discourage.
- Calorie recommendations are very low.
- What’s the rush? The addiction to instant gratification never seems to lead to lasting results or happiness.
- The book is heavily endorsed by model Heidi Klum – there is a even a two-page section (“Real-life Transformation”) that outlines Heidi’s great experiences with the diet. I suspect that many of us simply can’t or won’t identify with a professional model – someone whose career rests on controlling their weight. This was a real turn-off.
- Meal replacement shakes make up a big part of the meal plans. These are wonderfully useful as a convenience food – but not as a staple.
Conclusion
I have no doubt that the Ultimate New York Plan will cause weight loss, and in many cases it may well be rapid in the initial weeks.
However the obsession with quick-fixes and restrictive diets is something I am not a fan of – and therefore would not feel comfortable recommending this book.
Agreed. This is just a simple, effective way to lose a few pounds for a vacation of event. I tend to follow this type of regiment three or four days a week and indulge on the weekends. These diets aren’t meant to be long term.
The diet does not say that you cannot eat meat. In fact, as a vegetarian, this diet is nearly impossible for me to follow. Also, the extra cardio is 45 mins, not 60. I bought the book for the workout rather than the diet. However, I will take from it what I believe to be common sense – no bread, no sweets, no alcohol – and try to work it within my life. There seems little point getting involved in something so restrictive that it fails within a short period of time. Exercise and eat sensiblly.
people can be very ignorant …… it is ok to eat some times over 3000 cal a day in junk foods, no work out work, home, couch, junk food and it a way of life and we accept it as ok… but you get a way to eat for life and you critize it and with healthy exercise…..if you think 1000 cal is too little just add a few more and stick to the plan…and be greatful….wow!
I tried the diet (not using all of the exact recipes) and followed the exercise regime pretty closely and I went from 155 to 120. It took about three months. While I have since gained 10lbs back (due to my own laziness), I think it was definitely worth it and I plan to return to it soon.
My only criticism is the number of recipes. It would be good to follow-up with another book for maintenance.
Okay, yeah, it COULD slow the metabolism and create a yo-yo effect but don’t say ‘you won’t lose weight’ um, yeah, you will. You only GAIN fast if you binge etc, if you went from this diet, to eating a balanced diet of around the same calories as your BMR you wouldn’t stack the weight back on. People are obsessed with STARVATION MODE, just don’t eat too much after the diet and it’ll be fine.
Okay, yeah, it COULD slow the metabolism and create a yo-yo effect but don’t say ‘you won’t lose weight’ um, yeah, you will. You only GAIN fast if you binge etc, if you went from this diet, to eating a balanced diet of around the same calories as your BMR you wouldn’t stack the weight back on. People are obsessed with STARVATION MODE, just don’t eat too much after the diet and it’ll be fine.
Hi FLgirl,
Did you stay on phase 1 for 8 weeks or something to go to 110lbs? Or when did you start adding back in the carbs? Sounds like a lot of hard work!!
Miss Porter
My wife and I have been on the diet for 2 months, and each of us have lost more than 13 pounds and alot of inches and we haven’t done even one shake and we haven’t been 100% compliant – and we haven’t been hungry even once. We’re in phase 3 – and we recommend it to everyone.
You should try the APEX whey protein shakes. It doesn’t smell and it doesn’t leave a chemical aftertaste in your mouth. My favorite is the vanilla flavor.
I completely agree with Kate! I’m in my 1st week and I have already lost 6 pounds! I don’t intend to stay on this diet forever…I’m using it because I don’t have a strong sense of self control as I would like and having a strict regimen helps me stay on track.
I don’t believe in fad diets and don’t believe they last….but I do believe they’re great as stepping stones to get you in the right direction. If you want to lose weight, there’s no magic formula (believe me, I’ve looked for and tried all of them haha)….eat less, exercise more. If you have a problem with the NY diet…don’t do it.
Guys, diets DO work if you put your entire mind and heart into it. Diets are meant to be about CONTROL and WILLPOWER. You have willpower – you’ll lose weight. You don’t have willpower, you WONT lose weight. Its all about sticking to the goal, and keeping yourself from relapsing. Now, of course Heidi Klum has a built-in motivation to stay slim: its her job! But, if we just think about how good we will look after forcing ourselves to commit, it’ll be easier to stick to the diet. i think. :\
i think its a great way of loosing weight.
You are eating keeping your blood sugar levels too high. Read The Bible’s Cure to Weight Loss and Muscle Gain. It helps me alot.
I am on the New york body plan and I very much so respect it. Its funny to here people say it promotes “yoyo dieting” and the calorie in take is to little BUT for results in two weeks, which MANY people want, every calorie counts and so does every muscle contraction. David inspires and gives ALL the steps to take to be able to succeed in this program. If you say your are getting ready to start it but already know you can’t stick to the nutritional guide THAN THIS PROGRAM IS NOT FOR YOU. its as simple as that. I love it so far, and am well into it. Yes it sucks bc i hate to excercise and i love big macs and french toast with chocolate chips but its only two weeks of such strictness. YOu have to believe you are worth it and give yourself the respect you deserve and reward your body! He gives you the utilities to bring back the foods you love in a healthy way while also maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. I am a huge fan of David.
I did this back in 2005 with a lot of DEDICATION. I thought I’d stick to it for about 2 weeks and next thing I knew, I was still in phase 1 for 4 weeks. I can’t remember how much I lost in the initial few weeks, but I lost about 15 lbs total over about 6 or so weeks. I worked out about an hour (sometimes two) six days a week and I was diligent about what I was putting into my mouth. I’m abour 5’2″ and was almost 130 lbs when I started it. I was 110 lbs in less than 2 months. So I will say that it works as long as you are dedicated completely.
I’m 140lbs (5’7) and I’ve been on this diet for 5 days and I can already see great results! I want to be 125. I don’t think that eating this low of calories is bad, as long as you eat every few hours and do a lot of weight training to boost your metabolism, I’ve found a variety of ways to “trick” my metabolism. Such as adding cayenne pepper to everything, drinking a ton of green tea and eating 6 150-200 cal meals a day. I never feel tired or hungry, this is the best diet I’ve ever been on! I feel like I can sustain it for a long time.
is this diet safe to do if you only weigh 140 pounds?