You may have seen or heard about a new book by Haylie Pomroy. She was recently on the show and is a celebrity nutritionist to stars like Reese Witherspoon (Do you know who I am?!), Jennifer Lopez and Robert Downey Jr. The book claims that you can lose up to 20 pounds in 28 days…without starving, without counting calories, and without crazy exercise. The cover says ‘eat more food, lose more weight’.
Fact or Fiction?
Welllll….it’s true that you do not have to count calories, you do not have to workout everyday, and you do eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. {But}You also must go without caffeine (she doesn’t even want you to have decaf coffee and tea since it contains a little caffeine. She suggests water and naturally decaffeinated herbal teas), wheat, sugar (except from fruit) and dairy – and no artificial sweeteners either, except for stevia. You need to drink lots and lots of water too.
You eat real food, all day, every day...but they must be the correct portions. I learned that my concept of portions is very wrong. You must make sure that you are having 1/2 to 1 cup of grains (depending on the phase you are in), 4 ounces of meat or 6 ounces of fish, 1/4 cup nuts or 2 T. almond butter on Phase 3….these all seemed normal to me. No problem. Except when I actually started to measure stuff out. 4 ounces of meat….not very much. 2 T. of almond butter? Scant. NO caffeine? Lord help me.
The phases I am referring too…the diet is broken down into 3 phases. Phase 1 last for 2 days and consists of mainly carbohydrates from fruits and whole grains (brown rice/quinoa/steel cut oats etc.). Phase 2 is also for 2 days, and is low carb and low fat. This was definitely the hardest phase for me. You have to eat lean proteins (egg whites, lean meats) and lots of veggies. Phase 3 is the best, and it lasts for 3 days. During Phase 3, you get to have carbs, whole grains, and healthy fats (think avocado and nuts!). Here again, portion control is key.
So how did I fair? The diet is a 28 day program. Honestly, I lasted 9 days. I blame it on Mother Nature. Not PMS, but the stupid weather! It turned cold and rainy, after being 80’s and sunny, and on the 3rd day of rain and grey skies…I broke. I was cold and miserable and had a cup of coffee. Now, that shouldn’t have totally derailed me, but I have that mentality of…’well, I already screwed up by drinking that coffee, I guess I will have some crackers.’ Then later in the evening, I was like ‘well, I’ve really messed up now, so I might as well have some chocolate too.’ And just like that….I was off the wagon. And now I am kicking myself for being so weak! In the first week, I lost 6 POUNDS! I was losing a POUND A DAY for the first week, but then it slowed down. I knew it would, but when the scale was only decreasing by .2 for 3 days, that also led to my destruction. Again, stupid on my part…I should have stuck with it. The scale was going down, even if in small amounts. Here are my stats for the 9 days…
6 lbs lost
Inches lost –
1/4″ loss on arm
1 1/2″ from belly
1″ from butt
1/2″ from thigh
1/4″ from calf
That’s in just 9 days! I can’t believe I quit. SO…my plan is to start again. I’ve already loaned the book to my sister, but there is a great that I used on my iPad everyday. (It was offered free of charge by , but I had already purchased it on my own.)
It is great for planning your meals, tracking your food and water, and planning is the KEY to success with this.
The more meals you have prepped and planned for, the greater the likelihood to succeed. I would recommend getting some meals in the freezer before ever starting the diet (frozen oatmeal, however, not so good!), and stock up on your favorite veggies. If you like vegetables, you will probably do great with this. If you prefer wine, cheese and chocolate like me…well, it’s going to take will power! I would say this diet is similar to the Whole 30 diet, except there are specific phases that you follow.
Basically, it’s no miracle – you eat real food, in the correct amounts, drink water, and exercise at least 3 days a week. Even though there is the app, I would still recommend reading the book before starting. The book goes into what to expect each week, mentally and physically. She is pretty dead on with what you will experience, and backs up her plan with facts that made a lot of sense.
I also learned a lot, just in the brief time I followed the plan. One, I definitely need to keep drinking water. I can tell a difference in my {gross!}cellulite on the back of my thighs – it was very much improved and I think the weight loss helped, but the water I think was a large part of it too. Two, I need to continue incorporating whole foods into my diet and stay away from the processed junk!! I am continuing with the sprouted wheat bread that Haylie recommends, and found that I really like gluten free rice crackers. My dairy weakness is cheese and yogurt, but I have decreased my families consumption of cheese. I was already drinking almond milk, and I will continue with that. Hopefully, when I tackle this program again, I will be more organized and ready for it. The whole point of following the plan for the full 28 days is to “re-set” your metabolism, and turn your body into a fat burning machine 🙂 That’s exactly what I need!
Learn more by checking out website, following on , , and . I’ve also got a Fast Metabolism Diet if you want to check out some of the recipes I’ve got pinned.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/FastMetabolismDiet. I received the book free of charge to review. All content is my own.
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thanks for the review. I did see that segment on Dr oz and was highy interested in learning more.
I received this book in one of my Craveboxes, but dismissed it as a fad diet. Reading your review, I think it just might be worth the try! Thanks.
I've heard of this, but don't know anyone that's done it. I will probably just stick to what I've been doing.
You should definitely read it!
from the pics I've seen, you look fab…so whatever you're doing must be working for ya!
Way to go sweetie! Hey 9 days is still awesome. I may have to give it a shot if I can't kick these last few lbs
My friend had been doing this diet and was losing consistently. I'm not sure how long she lasted, but I know that she is wanting to try a new diet just for some variety. I think with any diet, you get bored with not being able to eat certain things. I am currently trying a new technique of trying different diets on a regular basis. One per week. I know one week isn't enough time to give every diet a fighting chance, but I'm hoping the variety will keep my body losing consistently and help me not get bored.
Thank you for your honest assessment. I am thinking of starting this plan, and it was nice to read what I am getting myself into. Okay, well..clean eating and a internal purge of the processed junk. Going to REALLy hard to give my Coffee and Crystal Light. I'll think about this, but thank you! =)
Thank you for your honest assessment. I am thinking of starting this plan, and it was nice to read what I am getting myself into. Okay, well..clean eating and a internal purge of the processed junk. Going to REALLy hard to give my Coffee and Crystal Light. I'll think about this, but thank you! =)
Thanks for the comment Bridget! I realized I just can't give up my coffee 🙂 I've been on Weight Watchers for 5 weeks now, down 10 lbs. I'll be blogging about it soon!
I am near the end of my third week. Lost 6 lbs in the first week and four in the second. It was hardest in the second week to stay with it and I missed the old way more. This week has been easier and the pull from all my food weaknesses is low. Coffee .. cheese..ice cream..flour .. coke and BUTTER. The portions are too huge at times and they are double for me as I am trying to loose 60 lbs (The more you eat the more you loose). I do the best I can.
I am feeling the difference now between hunger and craving and am happy to provide my body with the fuel it needs.
This week I have been modifying the recipies and working out others that suit me better but still eating the foodlist foods in the vorrect amounts.
I plan to break for a week and then repeat the dirt.
I have gained an awareness of what it really means to eork in harmony with my body.
Best D.I.E.T. evet!
That's great Fay! I think the key to losing weight is just finding what works for you personally. If interested in 'guest posting' and telling about your experience, I would love to do a follow up to this post and give a different perspective!
Hi Kim, thanks for this review; very helpful. My oldest daughter told me about the book; she lost weight on it and kept most of it off even when she stopped after the first month – hard to follow while on summer vacation and camping. She planned to go back on it though because she had such success.
I haven't finished reading it, but really appreciated her approach. Learning that the artificial sweeteners are counterproductive because they make your liver work harder was an eyeopener. I never used a lot of those anyway but now I'm off them entirely. Plus I know what you mean about the coffee but I've been coffee free since June (except for the occasional cup of black or green tea; and a couple of times when a server refilled my decaf cup with regular). It was hard at first but I think I was able to stick with it because it was summer so I didn't need something hot to warm me up. I wouldn't want to try it in the winter; I get COLD and need my hot beverages! Thanks again; I'm going to take a closer look at Haylie's plan and make some preparations before starting.
Sounds like you are well on your way to success! I stopped by your blog, and over 20 lb loss is great! I lost mine with Weight Watchers after I failed with this plan, and I feel great. This is an awesome book and plan, but I have yet to kick my caffeine habit! Wishing you continued success… preparation is definitely key I think.
Love this diet…ive been on it for 2 weeks and lost 9 pounds so far….i dont really miss the sugar that much and love the first 2 days of diet. Ive never lost weight this quickly and has brought down my high blood pressure by 30 points…
Love this diet…ive been on it for 2 weeks and lost 9 pounds so far….i dont really miss the sugar that much and love the first 2 days of diet. Ive never lost weight this quickly and has brought down my high blood pressure by 30 points…
I found this book on my Nook, just randomly looking, previewed it, and thought, hey, it's approaching swimsuit season (again), why not try it? So I got it, and my mother told me she was on Dr. Oz). After reading it, I can tell this chick knows what she is talking about. It.just.makes.sense. I know a little about nutrition, and I understand the "confuse it to lose it" mentality (think body building, muscle confusion), so here i am on Day 3 of my first week. Already, I'm in panic mode going, "how the crap do I eat vegetables for breakfast." And I love vegetables. You seem like I am…an all or nothing kinda girl. And I'm WAY too hard on myself, which is why I knew if I cut the coffee, I would fall off the wagon on day one (withdrawal headaches are no joke). So….. (don't tell) but I am still drinking my coffee. And if coffee is wrong, then I don't want to be right. Do you have any tips or ideas for Phase 2? I love veggies, but yes, I can tell these next two days will be the hardest.
Sorry it took me a couple of days to get back with you, but I hope you are still going strong! I hear ya on the caffeine…I'm not sure why it's so bad, but I can't do without! I'm not much help on Phase 2, b/c it was definitely my hardest…but I did egg white scrambles in the morning with green peppers. I might have done spinach as well. That's about all I could handle as far as veggies in the morning! I also ate a lot of chicken broth with various things thrown in throughout the phases. You might want to check out my Pinterest board for The Fast Metabolism Diet…it might give you some ideas too! Good luck!
I make smoothies on phases 1 and 3 with phase appropriate fruits and I throw some frozen kale in for the veggie. It's pretty good and I feel great especially knowing that I'm eating food that is so good for me. I usually have 1 1/2 pieces of sprouted grain toast with almond butter on it. I'm at the end of my second week and I've lost 17 pounds!
I make smoothies on phases 1 and 3 with phase appropriate fruits and I throw some frozen kale in for the veggie. It's pretty good and I feel great especially knowing that I'm eating food that is so good for me. I usually have 1 1/2 pieces of sprouted grain toast with almond butter on it. I'm at the end of my second week and I've lost 17 pounds!
That is AWESOME!!
Hello. I just watched the Dr. Oz show about this diet, and, Haylie showed a steak and eggs breakfast with something like mushrooms and peppers. I think it was mushrooms. I know it was peppers.
Omelettes, too, combine lots of protein and vegetables. I've had some very good omelettes that are stuffed with veggies and had only a little bit of meat, no cheese, before.
I think I also saw a recipe for a smoothie with beans in it that said it was good for Phase 2, and, there was something about using hard boiled egg whites in smoothies, and, a promise that they would not taste eggy.
Thanks for the info Arletta!
it works! it really does.. I lost 10lbs in the first month.. I even cheated- lol! I lost 4 lbs the 1st week, 3, 2 and then 1.. I want to loose a total of 20 lbs.. I am just starting my 2nd month and lost 1 lb.. it will slow down .. it is best to loose 1- 2lbs a week.. It is better for you.. Remember nice and easy wins the race.. I am a 46 , post menopausal woman.. was looking for something that would work .. NOTHING was working.. THIS WORKS!! Good Luck 🙂
I just started. I have a total of 80 pounds to lose. I am having a very hard time eating all the food. Also have had a caffeine headache since yesterday afternoon. I will keep you posted. I am determined to work this.
Good luck Melissa!
I have been on FMD for over a year now and have lost 70 pounds. I feel GREAT! Just do it! It works!!!! Be patient.
That's incredible!
I am a professional dieter. I have tried them all. I can truly say if you stick with this program it works! I am down 22 pounds and feel ten years younger!! I did not do much exercise due to a broken ankle and still had awesome results. I encourage anyone struggling with their weight to give this way of life a try. After 28 days, I have developed a healthy relationship with food for the first time in my life!! I plan on maintains by doing the diet one week every month. That’s totally doable for most folks. So give it a try people and you will be amazed!!!
Hi everyone, I’m on day 5 of the FMD, it’s really hard and I was unprepared so I feel like for these past 5 days all I’ve been doing is shopping, cooking, eating, and looking up recipes. While still having to work and stuff. Not easy, and also not fun, especially on Phase 2. I had suchhh sweet cravings.
Anyway some tips for surviving phase 2:
– squeeze lemon on everything!
-replace oil with chicken broth when frying
-make the chicken jerkeys from Haley’s recipe (you can find it online i think)
-be prepared!!!
Basically I’ve been frying burger meat but using chicken stock and in the same pan added some mushroom. On the plate, add raw spinach and the mushroom on top, next to the burger and add lemon juice on top. I added some ginger too to help with digestion. Anyway, really yummy.
I have the book in PDF if anyone wants it, e-mail me at
Also mealime is a really good recipe app, just skip the oils (except for phase 3). All recipes are healthy and really delicious.
Thanks for sharing! Good info for others thinking of starting.