How to Lose Weight in a Week

If you are asking how to lose weight in a week, then chances are you have a special occasion!  As a dietician I generally advise people against  fasting or surviving on minimal calories, but if  you eat normally after this week, then you will be fine. Often excess or hard to move weight is  caused by a build-up of water in the body. 

By releasing this water, you will lose weight and inches. To remove water from  the body – you actually need to drink more water! Strange but true! Add a lemon to every glass of water that you drink, as lemon is a diuretic and will release stored water. You need to drink at least two litres of water per day.

Eating Plan

You also need to seriously reduce your calorie intake. Eat small and simple. The plan I outline below is a great example of how to lose weight in a week for free, because you don’t need to purchase anything special. You will be hungry, but you need to eat fewer calories than you are exerting, so will naturally be hungry.

For breakfast, eat two eggs (but only one yolk) by either poaching or scrambling and a pot of natural yogurt. This is a great high protein breakfast. If you need to snack between lunch, then eat another low fat protein such as tuna. For lunch, once again eat simple. A small pita bread full of salad and chicken or tuna. You must avoid all fatty or sweet toppings, as these simply add calories – which are what you are avoiding!

For snacks between dinner, eat a small pot of plain yoghurt. For dinner, eat a small portion of grilled meat. The portion should be no bigger than the palm of your hand. Eat this with as many steamed vegetables as you can. Avoid brassicas such as broccoli and cauliflower though, as these can lead to bloating.

If you enjoy carbohydrates with your dinner then that is fine. But ensure your carb is unprocessed so your body metabolizes it slowly. Choose a baked potato or sweet potato with the skin on.

Exercise


Lastly, ensure that you do some form of exercise every day. If you do not normally exercise, then make sure you walk for half an hour. If you do exercise regularly, then drink extra water during your programme. Have a banana ready in case you feel dizzy, as remember, you are on a low calorie diet.

If you want to lose weight in a week without exercise then I hope there is a good reason. If you cannot partake in 15 to 30 minutes of walking a day, then you should consult your doctor before considering any diet. If time is a factor, then make simple adjustments like taking the stairs, or walking at lunchtime. 30 minutes can be added together from lots of small exercise moments.

Tips For Women

The question specifically of how to lose weight in a week for women is to follow the above plan, but to be aware of your iron intake. You may like to take a supplement during the week, or make one of your protein dinners beef which is high in iron. Women also need to ensure that they have enough calcium which is the reason why I always encourage snacking on natural yogurt.


Tips For Teenagers

How to lose weight in a week for teenagers requires the same process as above. Teenagers generally have a high metabolism so should have more snacks than an adult. Snack on cottage cheese and low fat crackers with tomato and fruit. You will have success in losing weight in a week if you stick to this plan. However, if you deviate from it or have a bad day, then just start again – don’t give up it is only a week after all!

If you are serious about weight loss permanently though, you will need a more structured eating and exercise plan than this. Read as many books as you can and choose the health option that is right for you. E-books these days are great as they are packed with information and often have free trials. Good luck and enjoy your special occasion!