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Tips on how to lose weight in a week naturally

March 7, 2010 by  
Filed under Weight loss Tips

It is possible to lose weight in a week; there is not doubt about that. What is of question is how much weight you can lose in a week using natural ways. Many experts suggest that the maximum healthy amount of weight you can lose in one week is 2 pounds. Taking that as a guide, below you can find some tips on how to lose weight in a week naturally and healthy.

1. You can lose weight by eating

The above statement is true. The correct way to lose weight is by eating. What you need to take care of is what type of foods to eat and in what quantities. As a general rule you should avoid processed food, canned food, fried food and junk food. In your daily diet you should include whole fresh foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and generally anything that is low in calories, fats and sugars and contains no preservatives. To find these foods you have to do a bit of research before you go to the grocery shop but for sure that are plenty of healthy choices.

2. Eater smaller food portions

Many tips for weight loss are based around this principle. In order to lose weight you need to start eating fewer calories than you do now. This is also one of the most difficult things to accomplish in the whole weight loss process. Let’s see in more details some aspects of this process.

  • One pound is about 3500 calories. This means that to lose one pound you need to burn 3500 calories more of what you consume.
  • There are two ways to create this deficit. You can burn more calories through exercise and you can also consume fewer calories by following a balanced diet.
  • Reduction of daily calorie intake should be done gradually and slowly. You cannot dramatically reduce the calories you consume to a very low number because this at the end will create the opposite results and may also lead to other problems. A healthy amount of calorie reduction is between 250 – 500 calories per day.

So, now that we have seen the basics of weight loss, you can start thinking about your diet and what changes you can make in order to start the calorie saving process. These changes should include the replacement of certain foods that are high in calories and fat with food items that are lighter and healthier. Your target is to save around 300 calories per day. This means 300X7=2100 calories per week and 4X2100=8400 calories per month, which is equivalent to 2 pounds.

3. Learn to identify when you are really hungry

Many people tend to confuse hunger with other feelings and they consume many calories which are not really necessary. For example a lot of people have a desire to eat whenever they are stressed or when they have something in their minds that bothers them. It is really important that you control this situation and be in position to identify when you are really hungry and when you want to eat something because you have stress, because you feel thirsty or because of habit. A very nice trick is to drink water whenever you want to put something in your mouth. This action will reduce the amount of calories you consume and gradually you will be able to tell when you are feeling hungry and when not.

The above 3 tips cannot give you the complete answer on what you have to do to lose weight in a week but they can give you a very good idea on the changes you need to do in your lifestyle in order to lose weight permanently in the long run.

How to Lose Weight in a Week

November 22, 2009 by  
Filed under How to lose weight

Do you wonder how to lose weight in a week? Are 7 days enough for someone to lose weight? The answer is YES. It is possible to lose pounds in a period of one week but the difficult question is “How many pounds can you lose in 7 days?” There is no precise answer as you will read below, but for sure the recommended weight (for a healthy weight loss) you can shed in one week is between 1 -2 pounds. Anything above that is unhealthy weight loss and you should only attempt it after consulting with your doctor.

You should also take into consideration that losing weight in a week is not appropriate for long-term weight loss results; it is a quick way when you need to lose weight fast. For long-term results, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle that will help you lose weight naturally and increase your chances to keep the weight off.

How many pounds can you lose in a week?

lose weight in a weekBy adopting a very simple mathematical equation, you can calculate how much weight you can lose in one week. This is based on the fact that one pound of fat is approximately 3500 calories. Therefore, if you want to lose one pound in a week you need to create a calorie deficit (burning more calories than consumed) of 3500 calories. If you need to lose two pounds in one week, you need to save 7000 calories (2 x 3500) and so on. This can be done by following a low calorie diet bundled with regular exercise and intense physical activity. By eating less and exercising, you will end up creating a daily calorie deficit that eventually leads to weight loss.

You should also take into account that:

The recommended minimum daily calorie intake for women is 1200 calories.

The recommended minimum daily calorie intake for men is 1500 calories.

You should not follow a low calorie diet that goes below the above recommendations without medical consultation.

You can split the amount of calories you need to save evenly throughout the week.

For example: if your goal is to lose 1 pound in one week then you should try and save 500 calories per day (3500/7).

How to lose weight in one week with a healthy diet

healthy dietA healthy diet is one that will help you save enough calories per day to lose weight in a week (or more) but without going beyond the recommended limits. The actual number of calories you should consume depends on many factors including gender, age, height and level of activity. You can use our online tools to calculate your daily calorie requirements and adjust your diet to stay below this number.

For example: If your daily calorie requirements are 1800 calories per day and you need to lose 1 pound in a week then you need to reduce the amount of calories you consume to 1300 calories per day. If this sounds very difficult to do with a diet alone then you can burn more calories through exercise and activity and reach your daily target.

The 7-day diet plan proposed below is suitable for men and women of all ages. Each day provides about 1200 calories. You can use it as a sample and adjust it to meet your individual needs and requirements. The diet is consider a balanced diet since it includes items from all food groups and has a healthy distribution of fats, carbohydrates and protein.

BreakfastSnackLunchSnackDinner
Day 11 cereal bar1 / 2 yogurt, (Low fat 0% -2%)
1 fruit of your choice (apple, orange etc.)
1 / 2 croissant
1 teaspoon honey or jam
1 cup cooked pasta
3 tablespoons tomato sauce with peppers and mushrooms
Salad
1 slice whole wheat bread1 / 2 slice of ham or turkey
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1-2 slices tomato
1 leaf lettuce
1 / 2 cup cooked peas
1 piece (30 g) cheese (feta or yellow cheese, low fat or 2 tablespoons of cream cheese)
Salad
1 slice whole wheat bread
Day 21 / 2 cup whole grain cereal with fruit
1 / 2 cup low-fat milk (1% -1.5%)
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 teaspoon margarine
1 teaspoon honey or jam
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 thin slice (30gr.) smoked salmon
1 tablespoon cream cheese
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup of chicken soup
1 piece (30 g) cheese (feta cheese or yellow cheese and low fat)
Salad
1 cookie
1 / 2 yogurt (0% -2%)
1 egg
2 egg whites
1 / 2 cup vegetables of your choice
1 slice of ham or turkey fillet
1 teaspoon olive oil
Salad
Day 31 slice whole wheat bread
1 / 2 slice of ham or turkey
2 tablespoons cottage cheese
1 cup low-fat milk (1% -1.5%)
2 fruits of your choice3 / 4 cup artichokes
1 piece (30 g) cheese (feta cheese or yellow cheese and low fat)
Salad
1 small boiled potato (125gr.)
2 cream Crackers
1 slice of ham or turkey
1 cup of soup (with rice)
2 slices whole wheat bread
Day 41 / 2 cup corn cereal (corn flakes)
1 cup low-fat milk (1% -1.5%)
1 fruit of your choice
1 / 2 butter croissant
1 teaspoon honey or jam
1 cup of soup (with rice)
1 slice whole wheat bread
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 / 2 slice of ham or turkey
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1-2 slices tomato
1 leaf lettuce
1 / 2 cup cooked rice (3 tablespoons uncooked)
5 shrimp (large)
1 teaspoon olive oil
Fresh chives, parsley
Salad
Day 51 / 2 cup whole grain cereal with fruit
1 / 2 cup low-fat milk (1% -1.5%)
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 teaspoon margarine
1 teaspoon honey or jam
2 breadsticks
1 slice of ham or turkey
1 cup cooked beans
1 Salad
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 thin slice (30gr.) smoked salmon
1 tablespoon cream cheese
Freshly ground pepper
1 / 2 cup pasta (cooked)
1 / 2 cup chopped tomato
1 / 2 cup chopped bell peppers
.80g tuna in water
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
1 teaspoon of mustard or ketchup
Fresh chives, basil
Day 61 slice whole wheat bread
1 / 2 slice of ham or ham turkey fillet
2 tablespoons cottage cheese
1 cup low-fat milk (1% -1.5%)
1 / 2 yogurt (0% -2%)
1 fruit of your choice
10 shrimp
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 / 3 cup tomato juice .45gr
sliceSalad
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 / 2 slice of ham or ham turkey fillet
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1-2 slices tomato
1 leaf lettuce
1 slice of pizza with cheese
Salad
Day 71 / 2 cup corn cereal (corn flakes)
1 cup low-fat milk (1% -1.5%)
1 fruit of your choice
3 breadsticks1 slice whole wheat bread
Salad
1 / 2 butter croissants
1 teaspoon honey or jam
1 slice whole wheat bread1 / 2 slice of ham or turkey
1 egg (boiled or scrambled eggs without oil)
1 tablespoon cream cheese
Salad

The number of calories you consume per day by following the 7-day diet plan is:

Calorie Information
BreakfastSnackLunchDinnerSnackTotal
DAY 1

224

137

371

137

323

1192

DAY 2

223

137

337

137

298

1132

DAY 3

223

137

407

136

350

1253

DAY 4

222

137

378

137

320

1194

DAY 5

223

136

331

137

298

1125

DAY 6

223

135

373

137

320

1188

DAY 7

222

135

378

137

325

1197

How to lose weight in a week with exercise

lose weight in a week with exerciseExercise is very important if you want to lose weight and keep it off. Many people try to lose weight with a diet alone and they find it very difficult because in order to get quick results they need to minimize their daily calorie intake at very low levels. This is tiring and many people quit either because they cannot follow such a plan for many days or because they get bored. The best way to lose weight in a week is to combine a healthy diet with regular exercise. Based on our example above, where you need to save 500 calories per day in order to lose one pound in a week, here are a few exercise ideas and the calories you can burn with each workout. To get more ideas you can use our online fitness journal.

Walking (moderate – 3/mph)30 minutes152kcal
Basketball20 minutes185kcal
Running (jogging – 5/mph)30 minutes370Kcal
Bicycling (slow – 11/mph)20 minutes136Kcal
Dance (fast step, aerobic)30 minutes152kcal
Yard Work (gardening)1 hour370kcal
Hiking30 minutes277Kcal
Swimming (slow)185kcal30 minutes
Weight Training (moderate)20 minutes185kcal

 

You can choose from an endless combination of exercises, outdoor sports and physical activities, but what is important is to have fun and do it consistently for a long period. If needed split your exercise sessions throughout the day but try to keep your daily schedule. For example, you can walk for 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon and 10 minutes after dinner instead of doing a continuous 30 minutes workout. Consistency is the key here and this means that exercising on a regular basis can produce better results than exercising occasionally. It is more efficient to do a 20-minute workout per day rather than 1-hour workout every 5 days.

10 Tips on how to lose weight in a week without exercise

no exerciseSo far, we have seen how to lose weight in a week with a healthy diet and exercise. This is the recommended approach but some people for one reason or another do not want to exercise but still need to lose weight. The weight loss tips below can help you lose pounds in a period of one week without engaging into any formal diet or exercise schedule. They are tips you can easily apply in your daily life and a major step towards the right direction.

1.       The Secret is to drink a LOT of Water

When you start a weight loss program, you usually experience a reduction in weight and in most cases; this is in the form of water weight. When it comes to losing fat and keeping it off, that is a different story. Nevertheless, if you want the scale to report that you are X pounds less than the previous week, then there is a method for getting rid of the excess weight even if it is only initially in the form of water. Drinking a lot of water will increase your metabolism and this is your goal if you want to get slimmer. If you speed up your metabolism, then you are going to start burning more calories and gradually shed pounds.

2.       Say No to Beverages

As already stated, if you want to lose weight fast, you will have to stick to drinking water only. Green tea is okay too but stay away from any soft drinks or coffee beverages with plenty of empty calories and caffeine. Caffeine can interfere with digestion so keep it as natural as you can to lose weight quickly and effectively.

3.       Avoid those Colorless Carbs and Fried Foods

Avoid eating any “white” carbohydrates. In other words, minimize the consumption of rice, white bread, or potatoes. Stay also away from fried food and prefer barbecued or steam cooked food.

4.       Eat your fruits and vegetables

To lose weight in a week, you will have to focus on eating fruits, vegetables, chicken or fish. For example: choose carrots, cauliflower, green peppers, broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, green beans, apples, oranges, kiwi, bananas, grapefruit and asparagus. All these foods are high in fiber and water to speed up a sluggish system. Use olive oil and vinegar for a dressing and you are on your way to shedding the pounds. Just remember – “The more colorful your plate, the lower your weight.”

5.       Protein Foods

Legumes and other protein foods can jump-start your metabolism. Select small servings of lentils, kidney beans, pinto beans and lima beans.

6.       Add Egg Whites once or twice a Week

To avoid the cholesterol in whole eggs, eat a couple egg whites for breakfast adding a whole egg for taste a couple times a week. This will give you the needed protein to help you burn calories and fat.

7.       Eat your Bran

Also, add bran to your diet during breakfast or lunch. Either eat bran flakes or make it a habit to eat a piece of bran toast. Bran will give you the fiber you need and will ‘regulate’ your digestive system.

8.       Lower your Cholesterol too

If you must eat butter, choose a small amount of margarine on your toast; otherwise, forget it if you can.

9.       Limit your Dairy Products

When it comes to dairy, choose low fat milk and stay away from any type of dairy product high in saturated fat.

10.   You Can Do It!

You do not have to deprive yourself. All you need to do is take care of what you eat and in what quantities; that way, you’ll lose the necessary amount of weight in as little as seven days.

To sum up, if you want to lose weight in a week then the best way to do it is by following a healthy balanced diet and doing regular exercise. We have also outlined the other available options and provided you with a diet plan and exercise ideas. All you need know is determination and willingness to enroll in a weight loss process. Depending on your body type, metabolism, gender and age, may take more than a week to reach your target weight but eventually you will get there.