The need to get in shape for sports season, your wedding or even a family reunion often causes a desire for fast weight loss. Although various online sites offer non-prescription supplements or cleanse mixtures that guarantee your unwanted fat will disappear in a short amount of time, the gimmicks are usually more effective at reducing your bank account. The good news is that you can lose weight quickly -- without spending large amounts of money -- by making some changes to your weekly lifestyle.
Step 1
Choose real food you already have in your kitchen or can buy cheaply at the store. Fad diets often claim you'll lose weight fast by replacing normal food with costly liquid mixtures, supplements or food bars, although the products rob your body of valuable nutrients. Your healthiest options include low-calorie whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
Step 2
Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Skipping meals may save you money but it won't aid weight loss, since you'll be more likely to overeat and buy food when out in public.
Step 3
Drink water. Water represents an ally in your plan to slim down, since the beverage is free and contains no calories.
Step 4
Reclaim your bicycle from the garage. Regular bike rides are low-impact, which means your lower body won't face the stress caused by more aggressive activities. Doctors often prescribe biking if a patient is greater than 50 lbs. over her ideal weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Step 5
Walk or jog in a scenic location. This is a free method of aerobic exercise, a proven method for significant weight loss when performed consistently at a speed that causes deeper breathing. Aim for half an hour or more daily with your doctor's approval. You'll also benefit from better heart function.
Step 6
Swim at your community pool, lake or beach. You'll incur little cost and gain a better chance for a slim body. Although swimming leisurely is fun, you'll burn more calories by maintaining a steady pace for the duration of your exercise.
Step 7
Organize a game of basketball, touch football or tennis. The sports are considered vigorous aerobic activity, so you'll typically burn more than 350 calories during an hour of play.
Tips and Warnings
- Any extra movement uses energy, so aim to get ready for work at a brisk pace in the morning, walk whenever driving isn't necessary and use a few minutes during lunch to perform pushups and situps that build strength and reduce fat.
- Most slimming pills contain ingredients that reduce your appetite, increase your bowel movements or manipulate your metabolism -- and often lead to expensive hospital bills.
Things You'll Need
- Bicycle
References
- Cleveland Clinic: What Is the Best Type of Aerobic Exercise?
- President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: Exercise and Weight Control
- MayoClinic.com; Fast Weight Loss: What's Wrong With It?; Mayo Clinic staff; Nov. 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Strength Training: Get Stronger, Leaner, Healthier; Mayo Clinic staff; June 2010
- KidsHealth.org; 5 Ways to Spot a Fad Diet; May 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Obesity; Mayo Clinic staff; Oct. 2010
Member Comments