Quick weight loss "jump start"?

[Anonymous]

I'm new to this forum and not sure this has been discussed before, but I'm looking for something to do for a little "jump start" to my weight loss program. I was at a "healthy" weight (wanted to lose 5-10 lbs), but recently gained a solid 15 lbs on top of that, so now my goal is to shed about 20-25 lbs. I know this will take diligent healthy eating and exercise, and I plan to follow a low carb/healthy eating plan and try to get to the gym at least 4x per week plus walk a lot once the weather warms up, but I need a little incentive "jump start." Can anyone recommend something that will help be get rid of 5 lbs fast so I have some incentive to keep going -- not necessarily a long-term solution, but something to motivate me, even if it is just water weight.

[Anonymous]

My first week at Weight Watchers I lost 7 pounds. I had a total of 40 that I wanted to lose, so that was pretty awesome.

[Anonymous]

South Beach Phase One I lost 4-5 lbs in one week. It was exhilarating. good luck to you whatever approach you choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:South Beach Phase One I lost 4-5 lbs in one week. It was exhilarating. good luck to you whatever approach you choose.

Agree. The trick is to plan ahead--have appropriate foods and snacks on hand so you're no tempted to just grab whatever when you get hungry. http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/ has lots of good recipes.

[Anonymous]

I second the South Beach approach. If you stick with it, you'll be amazed to find how little you need the carbohydrates. I've lost about 12 pounds so far.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- I was actually planning on doing South Beach -- it worked amazingly well for me post-baby (got me to a lower weight than pre-baby). I guess I was just looking for something to enhance that even further. I've been hearing about colon cleansing products, green tea supplements, and something called acai berry that are supposed to rid your body of toxins and help you lose weight. I'm skeptical, though, so I think I'll just stick with Phase 1 South beach for a few weeks. Today is day 1 -- I'm sure I'll be feeling "encouraged" by the end of the week.

[Anonymous]

Weight Watchers. I lost 22 lbs in 4 months and have kept it off for over 4 months so far.

[Anonymous]

I come from a different school of thought for weight loss - you did not put it on in a week - why do you think you could take it off in 1?

My approach has been to target losing 2 pounds a month through a combination of exercise, portion control and food choices.
I lost over 30 pounds with this approach (in 6 months) so I beat my 2 pounds a month target - and kept it off for over 5 years. When a few pounds slip back on I just refocus and realize what food choices I am making that need to change. I also used this philosophy to lose the baby weight twice.

I am also skeptical of South Beach or Atkins. I think of my body as a system where different parts have different roles. By starving an organ of its role, you are messing with the system. I believe in the long term, you are hurting your body. This is my POV - no real evidence from the medical profession but I have 4 friends who are in their 30's and who have done South Beach a few times and no longer have their Gall Bladder. Maybe it is random - maybe there is something connected. Who knows.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anything that has you cutting out entire food groups (or ALMOST entire food groups) will fail. Calories in, calories out. It is not magic. I agree with PP.

[Anonymous]

Go for a run.
If you don't like running in cold weather, than hit the treadmill. Running (a good solid pace) for about 20 minutes (depending on your pace) can easily burn off 250-400 calories (depending on your metabolism and shape).

[Anonymous]

I think that the reason south beach etc., works (agree that it's not good to cut out entire categories of food long term) is that it helps eliminate cravings for those food that are so hard to eat only in moderation. you only cut out the carbs for a couple of weeks but still eat plenty of healthy food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that the reason south beach etc., works (agree that it's not good to cut out entire categories of food long term) is that it helps eliminate cravings for those food that are so hard to eat only in moderation. you only cut out the carbs for a couple of weeks but still eat plenty of healthy food.

OP here. Yes, South Beach Phase 1, which you are only supposed to do for 2 weeks, does cut out all bread-type carbs (bread, rice, pasta, etc...)and fruit. But it's not NO carbs. Vegetables,legumes, and low fat dairy products, which are allowed in unrestricted amounts, have carbs. It's getting rid of the simple carbs that re-adjusts your blood sugar levels and gets rid of the cravings for sugar and starchy foods. Once you start Phase 2, everything healthy is allowed (and also red wine and dark chocolate in moderation!). It allows brown most types of fruit, rice, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, etc...So, it's not a diet that gets rid of entire food groups indefinitely. It's actually a very healthy way to eat long-term. My dad, who has severe Type 1 diabetes, follows the basic principles of this diet as instructed by his physician, and it has kept his blood sugar levels in check amazingly well.

[Anonymous]

Hot Yoga will get rid of water weight fast.

[Anonymous]

I cut wheat, dairy and chocolate out of my diet on January 1 and have lost 8 lbs. I feel great, and my eczema has almost disappeared. I also drink kambucha every day (get it at Whole Foods, raspberry is best tasting). I don't exercise much (except for running after kids), and I eat as much as I want. Not low carb or low fat or low anything. Just regular fruits, vegetables, rice, potatoes, meat every day.

[Anonymous]

As long as you're planning a common sense approach after the quick start (specifically, reducing calories while increasing nutrition, along with daily exercise designed to create a calorie "deficit" -- like 1200 calories intake and an extra 300 calories expenditure -- remember that a pound of body fat equals 3500 calories), then this might work for you: make a huge pot of vegetable soup, using low sodium chicken broth and putting in whatever veggies you love. I use frozen veggies, including chopped spinach or kale, baby peas, sweet corn, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, soybeans, okra, and fresh chopped cabbage, onions, and garlic. I add herbs de provence. Then I just eat this whenever I'm hungry and until I'm satisfied, and skip the other stuff for a couple of days. Delicious, nutritious, filling, and seems to trigger some normalizing of fluid retention.