First of all, all 'crash' diets are NOT healthy long term solutions. They work because they cut calories to an extreme (though in this book we stay above the recommended 1200 calories a day). They are not nutritional sound ways to eat. We live in a world wherein we expect immediate gratification and immediate success, so I will show you how to rapidly lose weight initially. Ultimately, slow weight loss is the best. It's healthier for you overall and the weight is far more likely to stay off.

In this jump start program, week one has the lowest calories. It errs on the side of higher protein, and that's to keep it satisfying. Let's face it – if you feel starving you are going to cheat. You also need energy, and since in the first week we will cut our carbohydrates down (eliminating simple carbohydrates and reducing complex carbs below long term healthy limits) we need extra protein for energy. Week two adds more carbs and week three balances our carbs, fats and proteins in a program we can use for life!

Please note that when you eat food is important (not because calories at different times are any different, rather because you need to stay satisfied to optimize your chances of not cheating). You must eat within 1 hour of waking up. You must eat a snack mid morning and mid afternoon. Your snacks should involve chewing, to send a signal from your brain to your stomach that you are not starving!

A word about the quality of your food: buy the best you can, this is your health after all. Organic food makes a great deal of sense, less chemicals and artificial hormones to deal with makes it easier for your body to process. Do NOT drink diet drinks, the artificial sweeteners can actually cause you to retain water.

You can and should drink plenty of water, herbal teas count towards water. Try to limit juices, its far better to eat an orange versus drinking orange juice.

Part II coming soon with the actual meal plan.