HOW DO I LOSE WEIGHT REALLY FAST?

FROM THE SERIES “ASK THE TRAINER”

By Monika Tarkowska-Carter, CPT, LWMC, HLC 2

If you have a considerable amount of weight to lose you didn’t gain it overnight, though I do admit that it is MUCH easier to gain than to lose. Short of drastic measures like taking laxatives, diuretics, doing colonics, or undergoing liposuction (just kidding!), you simply have to be patient and consistent. Nothing happens overnight. If you do have a particular event, like a wedding, for example, coming up, you have one huge advantage in your favor – strong motivation. The power of the mind is amazing and most of us are capable of achieving a lot more under pressure. But you still have to be reasonable. If you have a really strong will, are super strict with your diet, and are eating not only healthy but correctly for these specific goals, have a good exercise program and are capable of pushing yourself physically, you can probably drop about 10-12 lbs in a month and become toned to a degree. (The normal, achievable, healthy weight loss is 1.5-2 lbs of fat per week). This, of course depends on your height, starting body weight and fat percentage. Generally, the weight comes off faster in case of people who have a lot to lose. It’s those last 10 pounds that are always the hardest.* But nothing happens REALLY fast. And if it does, you can be sure it’s not entirely healthy.

*The less you weigh the fewer calories your body needs per day and therefore it is harder to create a large calorie deficit without going below your RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate). Consequently, your weight loss will need to slow down and you will have to be satisfied with losing a lot less per week than previously, until you reach your goal weight.  In some cases it may be difficult to lose more than 0.5 lb a week.