Losing 20 pounds within two months takes a good deal of determination and will power. You must stick to a strict diet that eliminates sugary, high carbohydrate foods and replaces them with high protein food, healthy fruits and vegetables. It's also important to drink a lot of water and to eliminate sugary drinks from your diet, such as sodas, energy drinks and most fruit juices. The goal is to reduce caloric intake, eat healthier foods and smaller portions; this simple formula will lead to significant weight loss.
Step 1
Rid your home of sugary snacks or high carbohydrate foods: out of sight, out of mind. Surround yourself with healthier foods, so you are less tempted to reach for an unhealthy snack when you are hungry.
Step 2
Buy foods high in protein and low in carbs. Good choices include chicken, fish, lean beef, skim milk, cheese, broccoli, snow peas, green beans and foods made with wheat gluten flour. Essentially, any fresh vegetable or fruit is a good choice, as are any lean meats.
Step 3
Eat five small meals per day. This should include breakfast, lunch and dinner plus two snacks in between. An example of a good dinner includes chicken, seasoned broccoli, one slice of whole wheat bread with butter and a piece of fruit. Eat your meals on smaller plates than you normally use; this gives your brain the illusion of having a full plate of food, even though the amount of food on your plate is much smaller. Each meal should contain 400 to 500 calories, and each snack should be no more than 200 calories. Go to TheCalorieCounter.com to find the calorie count of foods.
Step 4
Sip water throughout the day. Drink at least 140 ounces of water per day, or seven, 20-ounce glasses. Carry a reusable water bottle with you during the day and refill it often. Avoid sodas and energy drinks, although an occasional diet drink is OK.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat your meals slowly. If you still feel hungry after 30 minutes, have a second helping. You should never feel hungry or starving throughout the day. Good snack ideas include cheese cubes, organic granola bar (reduced sugar), one cup of nuts, a piece of fruit, one cup of vegetables, a small salad with one tablespoon of dressing, yogurt or a protein shake. To speed up weight loss, integrate exercise into your daily routine. Even 10 to 15 minutes of daily exercise can help boost your metabolism and promote muscle growth---both of which help your body to burn fat more efficiently. If you get a craving for something sweet, look for no-sugar or low-carb alternatives at the grocery store. For example, choose Carb-Smart ice cream rather than regular.
- Never start a diet program without first consulting your doctor. Never starve yourself when trying to lose weight. It can actually lead to weight gain in the long term, and can cause serious health problems. Don't give up. It is common to see little or no weight loss in the beginning, but by week two or three, you will start seeing the pounds come off.
Member Comments