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By: Astrid Bullen

If you badly want to lose weight fast, and don't mind feeling famished, consider the 3-Day Diet - desperate times call for desperate measures. Here are the steps needed to make the 3-Day Diet a success:

1. Stock up on coffee, water, grapefruit, saltines and lean protein like tuna or chicken

2. Remove all enticing foods from your kitchen. Enlist the support of your significant other

3. Weigh yourself the morning you begin your diet, and follow the plan precisely. Make sure you exercise as well, as this will enhance weight loss.

The 3-Day Diet was actually a craze, dating back to 1985, which has amazingly endured the test of time. The diet is often erroneously called the Cleveland Clinic Diet, and it is a strictly controlled plan that must be done for three days at a time, followed by regular eating for four or five days before opting to recommence the plan. One of the drawbacks is that the guaranteed weight loss (up to 10 pounds) is likely due to fluid loss and not the more desirable fat loss.

Here is the 3-Day Diet meal plan:

Day 1

Breakfast
Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal
1/2 grapefruit or juice
1 piece toast with 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Lunch
1/2 cup tuna
1 piece toast
Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal

Dinner
3 ounces any lean meat or chicken
1 cup green beans
1 cup carrots
1 apple
1 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Day 2

Breakfast
Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal
1 egg
1/2 banana
1 piece toast

Lunch
1 cup cottage cheese or tuna
8 regular saltine crackers

Dinner 2 beef franks
1 cup broccoli or cabbage
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Day 3

Breakfast
Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal
5 regular saltine crackers
1 ounce cheddar cheese
1 apple

Lunch
Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal
1 boiled egg
1 piece toast

Dinner
1 cup tuna
1 cup carrots
1 cup cauliflower
1 cup melon
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

In addition to its strict daily food prescription, dieters drink 4 cups of water or noncaloric drinks daily.

Although the 3-Day Diet has a bad reputation as a "fad" diet, we can see that these meals are actually balanced. Unlike other diets, which encourage you to limit your intake of carbohydrates and protein, the 3-Day Diet ensures that you get all the nutrients your body needs for the day. Most people's everyday eating habits do not match the completeness of this diet.

In spite of this, the best way to lose weight is the old, traditional way, although it takes a little longer. Eat lots of green, leafy vegetables, and also fruits in moderation, cut out processed and fatty foods, don't snack between meals, and exercise regularly. You can go jogging or bike riding, or even swimming. Within a few months, you will find that you are slimmer, and a lot healthier than if you had depended solely on the 3-Day Diet.

Astrid Bullen is an avid fitness enthusiast and writer. Please visit her website http://www.topsecretfatlosssecrest.org.uk for more information on fitness, diet plans and losing weight fast.

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