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The Ultimate New York Diet
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: 800-1,000.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: 900-1,000Phase 3
(the "lifelong" phase) Some of the "forbidden" foods in Phase 1 can be introduced in moderation.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.Read More
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- Eat The Foods You Love Diet (Diet Blog)
- Meet Greg, 155 Pounds Down! (DailySpark)
- 2012 Super Bowl Commercial Winners: Oikos and Belvita [VIDEOS] (Diets in Review)
57 Comments
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Created / Updated: January 18, 2012
ANY "diet" that limits you to 1000 calories a day is going to result in weight loss! That's the problem with all of these "plans". They're all the SAME thing, in disguise.
ReplyI am about to start the New York Body Plan but I can tell you, I WON'T be sticking to the diet. First off, I literally gag when eggs come anywhere near me and he doesn't even offer a good substitute. Second off, I've been fit my whole life and to have a shake for a meal is NOT ENOUGH FUEL for your muscles to be able to work, let alone work out. I would faint. I'm doing this as a re-energizer for 2 weeks then back to the regular workout routine. I'll be having oatmeal for breakfast (good carbs are fuel for working out) and then sticking to fruits and veggies for snacks, grilled salmon or chicken for dinner.
ReplyI train kick boxing and mixed martial arts which is about as strenous as sport gets, and I frequently use protein drinks in place of a meal and I feel no negative effects.
I think you're simply looking for ways out.
ReplyDiets that are under 1000 calories will set people up to be prone to binge eating and not getting enough nutrients.
ReplyQuick fix diets like this will have rapid loss and rapid regain.
A low carb low calorie plan.
Hmmm they seem to be the fad these days!
Another diet to go on the pile!
This reminds me of The CSIRO diet. Very popular, everyone is trying it, but no actual long term success stories.
ReplyWhat in the world! 800-1000 calories a day? You won't lose any weight by starving yourself like that - your body will just go into starvation mode and you will kill your metabolism. Not to mention - it's obviously not a lifestyle change - it will only lead to over eating to compensate.
I'm sick of these gimmics. The "New York" Diet? Any diet that uses a "special" name to copy something else - LA weight loss, "South Beach" diet, etc. it a sure way just to steal your money.
ReplyOkay, 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.
ReplyOkay, 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.
ReplySame old diet just another fancy version.
Reply1000 calories a day is simply not enough for anyone. I'd be ready to eat my hands off if I only got 1000 calories a day. I agree with everyone else...same diet, different name...just another book to add to the collection.
And yeah...Heidi Klum is endorsing it? Puh-leeze. She's a pro at losing weight, she does it for a living.
ReplyREDICULOUS!!!!
ReplyI would expect this kind of crap from an M.D. but not a personal trainer.
ReplyI was thinking that this is the kind of crap we're seeing from personal trainers, and not from an M.D.
:P
ReplyIt's less surprising/insulting when a doctor does it, because a doctor usually has a very narrow view about nutrition and exercise. Doctors aren't really trained to give advice about nutrition and exercise; they're trained to write you prescriptions. A personal trainer though should know better.
ReplyWill NEVER work! No one will stick to it for two days let alone two weeks! He will sell lots of books, however!
ReplyPS Stop picking on doctors! Some of us spend the time to learn about the areas that med school may have omitted.
ReplyDr. J: Granted. In most of my posts where I question doctors' nutritional knowledge, I usually say the "majority of doctors", but I forgot to in this particular case. This is my experience from watching my father and other doctors at the hospital in my hometown for 16 years. However, I have met some doctors who, for example, understand why severe calorie restriction isn't good for permanent fat loss.
ReplyI lasted about a week. Firmed up pretty nicely but it was just too intense and restrictive. Still, it can work if your timetable is limited and is better than some of the other options that people use.
Also, I don't remember the book recommending anything about 1000 calories for men.
ReplyIve done the workout plan minus the ridiculous diet and still lost weight and built fantastic muscle tone. So don't be so hard on him.
Reply