1. How Does the Military Diet Work?

The most important thing to know is how the Military Diet works. The idea behind it is that it’s short-term, which helps people achieve success without feeling like they have to change their whole lives. Basically, you follow the diet three days of the week, then take four days off. The thing to remember is that when you are off, you have to be careful not to go really crazy, which can counteract your weight loss goals.

2. The Idea of Intermittent Fasting

The Military Diet is a form of intermittent fasting, which means you eat normally on some of the days and just a small amount on the others. This is a popular shape up plan for soldiers, hence its name. The days in which you follow the diet will consist of fewer than 1,000 calories and the days off should be no more than 1,800 calories. This low-calorie meal plan helps you burn more calories than you consume, which results in weight loss.

3. What Can I Eat?

The trick to weight loss is creating a daily calorie deficit. You can do this on the Military Diet by choosing approved foods on your three days of fasting and sticking to mostly healthy choices on your days off. Good options include tuna, eggs, peanut butter, lean meats, cottage cheese, fruits and veggies. These items help you satisfy hunger without going over your daily calorie counts.

4. Make Sure to Include Some Fat

Military Diet experts encourage you to include some fat in your fasting diet. You need some healthy fats, which satisfy hunger and help you stay full so you don’t go over your daily calorie allotment. Choose coconut and olive oil, avocados, nuts and butter when you’re on your non-fasting days. Just be sure you eat them in moderate portions so you don’t overdo it.

5. Meals Should Get Smaller Throughout the Day

Many people make dinner their largest meal of the day, but on the Military Diet, you should reverse this. Eat a large breakfast, a slightly smaller lunch and an even smaller dinner. According to experts, your metabolism is fastest in the morning so you’ll have the chance to burn more calories at that time. You also want to eat most of your carbs at breakfast so your body has a chance to burn them off instead of storing them as fat.

6. Coffee is OK on the Military Diet

Many people worry that they can’t have coffee when they diet. Coffee is fine for the Military Diet because the caffeine can help jump start your metabolism and help you burn fat and calories. However, you want to go for black coffee, not those sweetened and creamy versions you get at Starbucks because they are loaded with sugar and fat, which translates to more calories than is appropriate.

7. You’ve Got to Exercise Too

Cutting calories is just one way to lose weight. You’ve also got to get moving to help you burn more calories. Walking for 20 minutes per day is highly encouraged while you’re on the Military Diet. You can do that, right?

Do you want to try the Military Diet? Why or why not?