Since I first published the Military Diet diet online in 2007, countless people around the world have used it successfully to lose weight. Although there are copycats, this is the original, which is important because even a small change to this diet can set you up for poor results.
How to Lose Weight in 3 Days
Follow the diet exactly! I cannot stress this enough. The foods on the menu work together to boost metabolism, provide energy, help with sugar swings, and jump-start the fat-burning process. The diet must be followed for three consecutive days.
Weigh yourself on the morning of the first day, but not again until the morning of the fourth day. Take your measurements too. If you gain muscle, you may not weigh less but you may lose inches. Weight can also fluctuate unpredictably (and make you discouraged). This is important so that you stay focused and positive.
In three days you should lose up to 10 pounds. Some people report losing more than that, others less. Every metabolism is different!
After three days, eat as you normally do, but don’t over-do it!
No snacking between meals! Eat all foods listed for a meal at mealtime. Don't save anything for snacks. You're trying to re-wire your metabolism!
You can repeat the diet, but take a break and eat normally for at least four days before beginning it again. You could lose up to 40 pounds in a month if you follow these guidelines precisely.
Is the Military Diet sustainable?
Nutrition experts caution that for many, this diet will not lead to long-term weight loss. "The highest likelihood of success comes with changing as little as possible to get your weight down, not overhauling everything," says Dr. Charlie Seltzer, a physician in Philadelphia with a specialty in weight loss. "Over time, small, sustainable changes equals big sustainable, weight loss."
Having said that, this three-day diet can work to jump-start a weight-loss plan.
1st Day
Breakfast
- Half a grapefruit
- Slice of toast
- 2 tbsp of peanut butter
- 1 cup tea or coffee
Lunch
- ½ tuna
- Slice of toast
- 1 cup of tea or coffee
Dinner
- 3 ounces of meat
- 1 cup of green beans
- ½ banana (or some other fruit)
- 1 apple
- 1 cup of ice cream (vanilla has the least calories)
Breakfast
- 1 egg
- ½ banana (or some other fruit)
- Slice of toast
Lunch
- 1 boiled egg
- 5 crackers
- 1 cup of cottage cheese
Dinner
- 2 hot dogs (no bun)
- ½ cup of carrots
- 1 cup of broccoli
- ½ banana ( or some other fruit)
- ½ cup of vanilla ice cream
3rd Day
Breakfast
- 1 slice of cheddar cheese
- 5 crackers
- 1 apple
Lunch
- 1 boiled egg
- 1 slice of toast
Dinner
- 1 cup of tuna
- ½ banana
- 1 cup of vanilla ice cream