For most people, the weight loss process requires plenty of patience. While you may want to drop pounds as fast as possible, not all weight loss methods are safe. You must make drastic lifestyle changes if you want to lose loads of weight in a short period of time. Talk with your physician before starting a new weight loss plan.
Step 1
Pace yourself. Even though certain weight loss methods can help you slim down quickly, it's more likely you'll gain the pounds back later. People who lose weight at a moderate pace of 1 to 2 lbs. a week have a better chance of keeping that weight off over time than people who lose more than 2 lbs. a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Step 2
Stay away from diet pills, diet shakes and fad diets. The health risks of extreme weight loss methods often are severe, and they may place negative stress on your body and deprive it of nutrients and energy it needs to maintain good health. Regular exercise and a healthy diet is the golden weight loss combination that medical and nutrition professionals recommend for safely shedding pounds.
Step 3
Eat nutritiously and healthfully. To lose weight quickly, it's necessary to cut calories from your daily diet. However, it's also important not to neglect proper nutrition. Eat a balance of items from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's five recommended food groups--grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. Eliminate about 500 calories a day to lose at least a pound a week. Eat foods that are filling, satiating, and high in vitamins and minerals.
Step 4
Vary your workout routine. Doing just one type of exercise isn't likely to challenge your muscles or burn as many calories as a dynamic routine might. The Cleveland Clinic recommends incorporating elements of aerobics, strength training and stretching into a fitness routine for weight loss. Combine moves you find challenging with vigorous activities to burn the most calories. Basketball, jogging, tennis and rollerblading all burn more than 700 calories per hour for a 200-pound person, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 5
Exceed exercise guidelines. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests 150 minutes of moderate aerobics a week, plus two strength training sessions, as a minimum guideline for most healthy adults. However, losing plenty of weight on a tight schedule requires more work. Rest for one or two days a week. Work out for at least an hour on days when you do exercise.
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