Easy Ways To Lose A Lot Of Weight In A Little Time

The days of consuming too many calories and not getting enough exercise must grind to a halt when you start packing on the pounds. A slow and steady approach of losing 1 to 2 lbs. weekly is the best way to shed those extra pounds. You'll be less likely to suffer the side effects of drastic dieting, such as headaches and irritability, or injuries from too much exercise too soon. However, if you're in a hurry to lose weight, try to find healthy ways to do it.

Sleep 7 to 9 Hours

You'll be hard-pressed to find an easier way to boost weight loss than sleeping. Sleep enhances weight loss in several ways. First, it prevents late-night snacking, which commonly undermines weight loss. It helps to regulate appetite hormones --- ghrelin, which increases appetite, and leptin, which suppresses appetite. Sleep also plays a role in regulating metabolism, and more than 24 epidemiological studies have shown that increasing sleep can decrease obesity, according to the authors of a review article in the "International Journal of Endocrinology" in 2010.

Rollerblade for 60 Minutes, 5 Days a Week

You don't need to run, speed cycle or sign up for a high-impact step class to lose weight. Rollerblading is a fun, easy way to shed weight quickly and is more efficient than running, high-impact aerobics or rope jumping. During one hour of rollerblading, a 160-lb. person can burn 913 calories. By comparison, you burn 584 calories while jogging for the same period of time. Aim to complete 60 minutes of rollerblading five days a week. Break the session into shorter three 20-minute bouts or two 30-minute bouts if you cannot complete one hour of exercise at a time.

Drink More Water

If you're like two-thirds of Americans, you're not drinking enough water. However, certain bodily processes, such as metabolism and muscle activity --- both of which aid weight loss --- need water to function efficiently. Also, water is a calorie-free, safe way to suppress your appetite. In a study presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in 2010, researchers from Virginia Tech revealed that drinking two 8-oz. cups of water before a meal can help reduce the amount of food consumed at that meal. Water needs vary from person to person, but in general you should try to drink 10 to 12 glasses of water daily, according to Boston College.

Don't Starve Yourself

Contrary to what you might think, restricting calories excessively won't help you to lose weight fast. It puts your body into starvation mode, which slows your metabolism. Starvation diets also rob you of lean muscle mass, which is essential for burning calories efficiently, especially when you're at rest. Plus, starving yourself is a tough way to lose weight. Consuming an appropriate amount of calories for your weight and activity level is easier. If you are a woman, do not consume fewer than 1,200 calories daily; if you're a man, don't dip below 1,500 calories.

Caution

Get a medical check-up if you haven't had one in a while, if you're not used to exercising or if you have a health problem such as diabetes or hypertension. Also, do not exceed 12 glasses of water daily without consulting your doctor. It can lead to a condition known as hyponatremia in which sodium levels are diluted, and you suffer symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures or a coma.