Cutting calories and exercising can help you lose weight fast. However, healthy weight loss also includes making the right choices when you're changing your diet and exercising. For instance, you should avoid fad diets as they can lead to severe health complications such as dehydration, according to the National Institutes of Health. There are healthy ways to help you trim inches quicker.
Cut Out Bad Fats
Lower your intake of trans-fat and saturated fats from sources such as meat, dairy and prepackaged foods, advises Tosca Reno, author of "The Eat-Clean Diet." Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy instead of whole dairy products, substitute non-hydrogenated margarine for butter, buy lean cuts of meat and eat fish two or three times a week.
Include Healthy Fats
Don't try to eliminate all fats from your diet. Your body still needs them for vital functions such as energy and for healthy skin and hair. Instead, eat healthy unsaturated fats such as olive oil, sunflower, pumpkin or flax. Fatty fish such as salmon and herring are also good sources of essential fatty acids, states MayoClinic.com.
Take the Stairs
Stair climbing burns more calories than jogging, according to a 2006 issue of "Obesity," the official journal or The Obesity Society. It also helps to boost cardiovascular health and build lean muscle to promote weight loss. Climb stairs whenever you can, such as at work, the mall or school.
Get Enough Sleep
Your body burns about 65 calories per hour during sleep, states author Reno. When you're sleep deprived, your metabolism slows down and your appetite increases because of lower production of leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite. Reno also points out that sleep deprivation triggers the body to store more fat. Get between six to eight hours of sleep each night.
Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
Alcohol contributes to water retention, a plague of dieters looking to lose weight fast. According to Rachel Combe in "Elle" magazine, alcohol also interferes with your body's ability to burn fat. Your body burns calories from alcohol before calories from food, causing your body to store food as fat. For weight loss, choose healthier beverages such as green tea, water and freshly squeezed juices.
Be More Active
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main contributors to being overweight or obese, and to developing type 2 diabetes. Cut back on the time you spend watching TV, playing video games or lounging around. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. At work, take small breaks and go for a walk, climb the stairs or do stretches and simple exercises at your work station.
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