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Ask the Expert: Kathleen Zelman
Lose weight quickly and safely – UHC TV
There are lots of people out there that want to lose weight quickly – for a wedding, a high school reunion, or a special occasion. The question is: How can you do it quickly and safely?
Unless you’re a contestant on “The Biggest Loser” or have the time and energy to go to boot camp, it really is a challenge to lose weight fast and keep it off. Most diets work, and you can lose weight quickly, but oftentimes with the crazy fad diets, you lose the weight quickly and you gain it just as quickly right after the occasion.
So, what good is that? The best way to lose weight quickly is to focus on about 3 pounds a week. That’s about the maximum you can do safely without being supervised and spending 24/7 working on weight loss.
Calculate out. Start planning in advance for that special occasion. If you know it’s a couple months away, get started a little earlier. Think about 3 pounds a week as a goal.
The more weight you have to lose, you’ll lose a large amount initially in water weight. The heavier you are, the more that water weight will come off. You could lose maybe 10 pounds in the first week, but you won’t be able to continue to lose 10 pounds week after week.
You can get down to that 3 pounds per week, which will really be burning fat, which is what you want to do. You don’t want to touch your muscle. Once that extra water weight is lost, you want to target those areas that are problem areas for you.
If you go on a diet, do not go on a diet lower than 1,200 calories. That’s for ladies. Guys should have about 1,500 calories. If you get below that, you’ll be too hungry. It’ll be hard to stay satisfied. It’ll be hard to get all the nutrients you need.
Remember, food is like putting gas in the car. You can’t go without it. You need to eat for so many reasons, and energy is one of them.
You can cut back on your sodium. Cut back on salty kinds of foods. That’ll help decrease any kind of puffiness you might have with water retention.
But remember, no lower than 1,200 calories, 3 pounds max a week is what you ought to go for, and if you want, you can increase your workout and push yourself a little bit more on that end. That will help you burn a few more calories.
But 3 pounds – maybe 4 if you’re lucky – is about the maximum you can lose safely and keep it off forever. What good is it if you give it a round trip ticket back on your hips?
Ask the Expert
Losing Weight Fast but Safely
Question: How can I lose weight fast for my wedding next month?
Answer from: Kathleen Zelman, R.D., nutrition expert
Forget the fad diets. Slim down quickly and safely for that special event with these expert tips.
The content of these videos is for information only and is not intended to be medical advice. Refer to your health plan benefit guide for coverage details, and consult with your doctor to determine what is best for you.
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