Losing a few pounds fast can be done in a matter of several days to a week if you focus on goals and are determined to stick to a plan. Whether you need to drop a few pounds to fit into a bridesmaid dress or squeeze into that pair of skinny jeans, dropping several pounds quickly means cutting back on calories and choosing foods that offer the most bang for their buck, which means packed with nutrients but low in fat and sugar.
Step 1
Drink water to help the body reduce water retention, which is common in those eating salty foods and sodas. Drink at least 64 oz. to 1 gallon of water a day to flush waste from your body and prevent your body from going into dehydration or starvation mode, thereby allowing it to release excess fluids. You may make a lot of trips to the bathroom for the first couple of days, but the inconvenience pays off in reduced abdominal bloating and increased metabolism, which burns calories for fuel.
Step 2
Avoid carbonated drinks such as sodas, which may increase bloating and weight gain. One regular cola soda can contain as much as 131 calories in a 12 oz. serving and approximately 31 g of sugar and 14 g of sodium, according to CalorieKing.com. Some individuals may note a distinctive reduction of abdominal puffiness when reducing intake of sodas as well as a quick 1 to 5 lb. drop in weight within a few days.
Step 3
Eat a diet low in saturated fats and sugars, which helps reduce bloating. Also reduce consumption of salt or sodium for several days, since excess salt in the body leads to not only bloating but also water retention that can add several pounds to your body weight.
Step 4
Exercise every day to burn fat and increase your metabolism. Depending on how much time you have to lose those 3 lb., high-intensity or high cardio workouts will burn extra calories and kick up your metabolism all day. Take a brisk 2- to 3-mile walk every day or engage in high-intensity workouts such as step aerobics, kickboxing, jogging or using treadmill machines for about 45 minutes to an hour for at least a week to notice a drop in weight.
Step 5
Combine exercise with the low-fat, low-sodium and low-sugar diet and adequate water intake and you should notice a 3 lb. drop in weight within 5 to 7 days.
Tips and Warnings
- Experts still debate on the best time to exercise--morning or afternoon--but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly 25 percent of Americans don't exercise at all. Any exercise, no matter what time of day, is better than no exercise at all. Exercise when you can and don't watch the clock.
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