* YOU BEEN SNAP* Is this the holy grail of weight loss? How a new 17-day diet promises a healthy quick fix for dropping drop pounds fastDr Mike Moreno says that followers can expect to lose 10-12lb in the short time period - and that the impressive results are sustainable too"

BY FLORA LYIMO DESIGNER* 

The new guru? Dr Mike Moreno says dieters can expect weight-loss of 10-12lb in just 17 days on his plan

Losing a dress size in little over two weeks may sound too good to be true - but that's exactly what Dr Mike Moreno is promising in his new book.
The 17 Day Diet, which has been taking the U.S. by storm, promises weight-loss of 10 to 12lbs in just two to three weeks.
Dr Moreno, who runs a family practice in San Diego, also insists, unlike many fad diets, that the results are sustainable.
His programme is organised into four cycles consisting of 17 days each and allows dieters to vary carbs, proteins and fruits to stimulate metabolism and improve digestion.
He told Good Morning America that he chose 17-day periods as a means of keeping the body's metabolism as high as possible.
He said: 'That's right before the time when the body starts to recognise the diet as a habit and metabolism starts to slow as a result.'
He added that the diet plan promotes what he calls 'clean' eating, which includes avoiding sugars and processed foods.
The book also instructs dieters to eliminate alcoholic beverages during the initial stages.
Instead, the focus is on how to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating breakfast each morning, drinking more water and increasing intake of 'natural', or unprocessed, foods.

Rachel Wilcox, a mother of three, told GMA how she had tried countless diets - including the low-carb Atkins plan -  before reading Dr Moreno's book, but she was always disappointed with the results.

Success story: Among the case studies on Dr Moreno's website is Nickie, who lost 14lbs from her 170lb frame in just 28 days

After seeing rapid weight loss in the first 17 days, she has continued with the programme for four months and completely changed her lifestyle.
She said: Atkins - that's exactly what happened to me - I gained it all back. With this, that didn't happen.'

Dr Moreno's website features similar success stories and picture diaries. One woman, Nickie, lost 14lbs from her 165lb frame in just 28 days.

Rapid inch-loss: Heather started out at 252lbs and lost 18lbs in 30 days

Another, Heather, lost 18lb of her 252lbs after 30 days of subscribing to the programme.
Dr Moreno explained that his diet's four phases are meant to 'confuse' to the body's metabolism.

THE SECRET TO DIETING SUCCESS: ABOUT THE FOUR 17-DAY CYCLES

CYCLE 1 - ACCELERATE: To promote rapid weight loss by improving digestive health. It helps clear sugar from the blood to boost fat-burning and discourage fat storage.
CYCLE 2 - ACTIVATE: To reset your metabolism through a strategy that involves increasing and decreasing your caloric consumption to stimulate fat-burning and to help prevent plateaus.
CYCLE 3 - ACHIEVE: To develop good eating habits through the re-introduction of additional foods and move you closer to your goal weight.
CYCLE 4 - ARRIVE (ongoing): To keep you at your goal weight through a program of eating that lets you enjoy your favorite foods on weekends, while eating healthfully during the week.

By never allowing the body to adjust to new eating and exercise regimes, dieters avoid stubborn plateaus.
He writes: 'The weight-reduction portion of this diet is limited to just 17 days at a time so that you aren't demoralized by the thought of endless months of dieting.
'Nor are you apt to plateau like you often do on other diets. The 17 Day Diet keeps your body and metabolism guessing. I call this "body confusion."
'With each 17 Day Cycle, you're changing your calorie count and the foods you eat. By varying these things, you prevent your body from adapting.'
The first cycle, which he calls the 'Accelerate' phase, promotes fat burning, cleansing, and quick weight loss without storing fat.
The second, 'Activate', he claims resets the body's metabolism, and the third, 'Achieve', teaches good eating habits.
The final phase, 'Arrive', combines the first three cycles, as well as allowing dieters to indulge cravings at the weekend.
The book is accompanied by The 17 Minute Workout -  a short daily cardio-based routine aimed at promoting fat-burning.
Though medical experts regularly voice their suspicions about diets that promote rapid weight loss, Dr Moreno said his plan is effective and safe if followed correctly.

Dramatic results: A dieter shows off significant weight loss after 22 days

Changing body shape: A male follower of Dr Moreno's plan shows off a noticeably flatter stomach after 43 days on the diet

He writes: 'Despite what many nutritionists have preached for years, rapid weight-loss diets can be healthy if done correctly and can work wonders on reducing pounds and inches in just days.

Dieting secrets: The 17 Day Diet is taking the U.S. by storm

'Brand-new research suggests that the faster you take weight off, the longer you keep it off. Now that's a reason for dieters everywhere to rejoice.
'Plus, if you're too embarrassed by a recent weight spike or have just gained an embarrassing eight pounds after a holiday weekend or an ice cream binge, this diet can get you back on track fast.'
He does warn dieters they must be up to the challenge, and adhere strictly to the programme to see quick results.
'You do have to accept that this won't be a pleasure diet,' he writes.
'You've got to stop eating unhealthy crap. You've got to eat vegetables, fruit and lean meat.
'I'm not going to ask you to probe your inner eater and uncover hidden emotional reasons for why you're fat. But I am going to ask you to keep your portions down, cut your intake of fatty, sugary, salty foods, and move your butt.
'You won't be faint with hunger or found in the kitchen at midnight, feeding on Froot Loops and tubes of cookie dough. You can do this, because anyone can do anything for 17 days.'