When you are planning a strategy to lose 5 lbs., keep in mind you need to create a calorie deficit equivalent to 17,500 calories over the course of at least two weeks to experience the desired results. Aim to lose about 2.5 lbs. a week at the most to ensure you lose weight in a healthy way. Use a combination of diet and exercise as well as some small changes to your daily lifestyle to lose your 5 lbs.
Step 1
Increase your water intake. Begin with a glass of water when you first wake up. This can help set the tone for increased water intake throughout the day, which will help you to feel fuller and to decrease your appetite.
Step 2
Eat breakfast. While eating more might seem counterproductive, eating breakfast each morning starts your metabolism correctly and also causes you to eat less throughout the day, according to "Good Housekeeping" magazine. Be sure to make healthy choices, such as an egg or egg whites, low-fat yogurt and whole grain toast.
Step 3
Keep your metabolism stoked by eating small meals every three to fours hours. Waiting longer between eating causes your body to enter starvation mode and causes your metabolism to slow down, which means you burn fewer calories. Eat smaller meals such as a whole-grain English muffin spread with peanut butter and a pear or a salad with almonds, dried fruit and an oil-based salad dressing.
Step 4
Replace your daily dessert with lower-calorie options, such as a cup of mixed berries, spoonful of fat-free Cool Whip or two Hershey Kisses. Eating sweet treats will help to curb your cravings while helping cut anywhere from 200 to 400 calories from your day.
Step 5
Get moving. Incorporate at least some form of exercise into your life on most days. This means engaging in activities that get your heart pumping, such as walking, running, taking an aerobics class, riding a bike, swimming, etc. This helps you to burn anywhere from 250 to 600 calories, which can make a major dent in creating the calorie deficit you need for weight loss.
Step 6
Engage in some form of weight-bearing exercise at least three times a week. This means lifting weights, using exercise bands or even leveraging your own body weight through exercises, such as push-ups or lunges, can help you to burn calories while building muscle. As an added bonus, this extra muscle can help to protect you against osteoporosis and to burn more calories when your body is at rest, which also translates to long-term weight loss.
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