The Easiest Ways To Lose Weight Rapidly

Losing weight slowly --- about 1 to 2 lb. each week --- is best. But, the reality is that sometimes you need to shed those pounds quickly. Maybe you have a wedding or reunion coming up and want to show off toned arms and a tight tummy. Fad or crash diets aren't the answer, warns MedlinePlus. These diets cause side effects such as dehydration and rebound weight gain once you stop dieting. Fortunately, there are healthier quick weight-loss methods you can try.

Detoxify

Natural health professionals, such as Brenda Watson, co-author of "The Detox Strategy," have been spreading the news about how toxins inhibit weight loss. A buildup of toxins in your body reduces your fat-burning systems by 20 percent, says Watson. For instance, toxins in fat cells prevent the brain from receiving signals that you're full. Also, when you diet, fat cells release toxins into the blood that slow down metabolism, causing your body to burn fat at a slower pace, explains Watson. Easy ways to detoxify include switching to organic foods, drinking half your body weight in water daily and taking warm baths at night to speed up the elimination of toxins.

Fill up on Fiber

Adding more fiber to your diet is another easy way to start detoxifying your body --- and losing weight. Most Americans do not consume the recommended 35 g of fiber daily, yet fiber is linked to weight loss and maintenance, according to the MayoClinic website. It fills you up so you're less likely to overeat and foods with fiber are usually low in calories. Also, as Watson points out, dietary fiber helps soak up toxins and fatty acids in your body and speed up their removal by increasing bowel movements. Instead of filling your plate with meat and refined carbohydrates, serve up more non-starchy vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Don't Cut Too Many Calories

Cutting calories is a delicate balancing act: On the one hand, if you're overweight, you're likely consuming too many calories; but, if you cut too many, you'll bring your metabolism to a crawl and burn fewer calories. Your doctor can help you to figure out how many calories you should be eating to meet your target weight. Or, multiply your target weight by 12 to 15 to get a range of calories you can eat when dieting, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Exercise Efficiently

If you're looking for easy ways to lose weight quickly, chances are you don't want to spend countless hours each week exercising. Some methods of exercising are more effective than others. In a study published in the "Journal of Physiology" in 2007, researchers found that interval training burned more fat and improved fitness quicker than exercising at moderate intensity. Interval training involves performing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity followed by a short bout of moderate-intensity activity. But, you don't have to jog or run if you're looking for an easy exercise. Brisk walking followed by casual walking also works. Aim for at least 30 minutes of interval training five days a week.