The ultimate fat-fighter diet

Exercise
Ideally you should do 45 minutes of cardio - running, cycling or power walking - a day, plus 30 minutes of toning and sculpting (see The Ultimate New York Body Plan DVD, available from www.amazon.co.uk. If you're pushed for time, you can do a ten-minute mini workout detailed in The Ultimate New York Diet. Ideally you should try to incorporate three or four of these into your day. The mini-workouts cover abs and core, total body, legs and bum and upper body and are designed to fit into different areas of your life, from those suitable for the office, to those you can do in the comfort of your own home or hotel room to parent workouts you can do with your kids.

Liv Tyler visited Kirsch ten months after giving birth to her son, Milo. Her advice is: 'Don't trick yourself into thinking that you can lose weight through diet alone. I've tried every diet and every programme out there. If you are not eating healthily and exercising, you will gain back everything that you lose.'

Supplements
Even Kirsch admits supplements aren't a necessity. He says: 'You could do it alone, but your journey would be much tougher.' He does, though, list supplements you may want to try to help combat food cravings, energy slumps and promote cleansing while warning against those that promise miraculous weight loss without dieting or exercising. For those on a budget he advocates a vitamin-mineral supplement and a meal-replacement powder.

Will it work for you?
Yes, if you're prepared to put in the work. Kirsch is all about no excuses. In fact, clients who come to him having skipped workouts are greeted with the phrase 'And your point is?'

New Yorker Virginia Gordon completed the programme a year ago and was delighted by the results. Her advice is: 'Hang in there. The first day of the plan, you're going to think, "What have I got myself into?" On the second day, you will think, "OK, maybe I can do this." By the third day, you'll see results and you'll have the determination to move forward.'

David Kirsch's One of a Kind Dietary Supplements and his Meal Replacement Powder (protein shake) available in Chocolate and Vanilla, are available in the UK, only from www.davidkirsch.co.uk

iVillage readers can order The Ultimate New York Diet (RRP £14.99) at the special discounted price of £12.99 (including p&p). To order, telephone McGraw-Hill on: 01628 502700 with your credit card details and quote special offer code 'IV07NYD'. The offer ends 28 February 2007.