The 5 Factor Diet

Rules

Based around the number five – obviously – this plan promises results in just five weeks. During this time you can eat five small meals a day taken from the 5 Factor recipe book. Most recipes are made from five ingredients which must be a protein, a complex carb, a fibre, a good fat ( read brazil nuts, oily fish) and a sugar free drink, and take just five minutes to cook. (Are you getting the hang of this now!) Shopping lists are available to help you prepare, but as some of the ingredients don’t exist in the UK, you may have to be creative here and work out an alternative that you can find in British supermarkets. 5 Factor recipes include chicken quesadillas, chicken curry and egg and bacon sandwiches – yes really.

Finally you need to work out five times per week for 25-minutes each time. Harley believes that working out more often for shorter periods of time is more effective than spending one long session in the gym.

Pros

On 5 Factor there’s little chance of feeling deprived and hungry because you eat often, plus the plan allows one treat per week, which helps with cravings and keeps you motivated. Harley’s online slimming club also helps you stick to the plan: for a small fee sign up to and you’ll get recipes, shopping lists and lots of daily advice and support from Harley himself. www.5factordiet.com

You only have to exercise for short 25 minute bursts.

Cons

You have to be organized and plan and you have to buy the book (which is hard to get hold of due to its popularity) or join the online service to get recipes and shopping lists.

You have to exercise almost everyday of the week or you will not achieve the best results.