If you do go low carb (and it will certainly work to make you physically smaller, not least because of the huge amount of water you'll pass as you enter ketosis), be sure to do it right and track every carb using an app like Carb Manager.

Since swift weight loss is your goal, I also recommend that you follow Atkins 1972 induction rules. You can find them online, no need to buy the book. It's MUCH more drastic than the current incarnation of Atkins, and even keto as practiced by most people. It only counts whole carbs, not net carbs (aka carbs - fiber). It also severely restricts WHAT you eat. It puts you into ketosis FAST and kills your appetite, and effectively vastly reduces your caloric intake as well (provided you don't eat five pounds of steak and butter every day).

Atkins 1972 induction really isn't a sustainable way to eat long term, but it will definitely get you the results you want. (You'll also feel like crap when the "keto flu" kicks in -- headache, heart palpitations, dizziness -- so bear in mind that you're not in danger, the "flu" WILL pass, and its cause is simply an electrolyte imbalance due to your body excreting a lot of water which is no longer necessary since your fuel is now ketones rather than glucose/glycogen. The cure for the "flu" is to get your electrolytes back in form by consuming lots of sodium, Lite Salt (which contains magnesium and potassium), or those Salt Stick capsules designed for endurance athletes. Also stock up on no-carb broth with tons of sodium to sip on.

I love tea so I drink it already. And I love cheese too. So low carbs, good fats are good, lots of veggies, so sugar, no fruit and protein. Check! Thanks everyone.

No carbs, no sugar, no fruit. Lots of protein and veggies. Avoid beans as well.
You can do this! Drink lots of tea.

If you do go low carb, do not cut back on salt. You might get the low carb "flu" without it.

Also, you'll need to increase your fat consumption. People who were led to believe that fat is bad sometimes have a hard time with this. Good options include olives, cheese, avocado. Do not eat anything fat free or low fat.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. Is bloating due to carbs?

absolutely. Carbs cause your muscles to hold onto more water. If I cut carbs i will lose 0.5-1lb/day. now that is mostly water weight ( notice a pee a lot more during this time) , not fat loss, but I do notice it in my waistline.

Skip salts, alcohol and carbs.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. Is bloating due to carbs?

Oh, for sure! Skip them for a few days and see how light you feel.

Thanks everyone. Is bloating due to carbs?

I've lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks. I am similar size and doing about 1200 calories per day and getting in at least 12,000 steps a day (some days lots of walking, others doing a fitness class, etc)

Lift some weights which might tone you up a bit and the dress will look better.

Lastly- buy a back up dress and don't take the tags off until after the event. It will be there if you need it.

cut calories, eat mostly protein and veggies. limit carbs. You will lose some fat from the cutting of calories and a lot of bloat/water weight from cutting carbs.

Keto and IF will do it

No carbs

PP is right. The best way to lose 6 pounds over 3 weeks is to drastically cut calories. Eat one meal a day and drink water.

Just starve yourself. You will lose it

My son’s graduation is in about 3 weeks. I just tried on the dress I am going to wear and it is very snug. I will be wearing a body shaper but I think the dress would feel better if I dropped a few pounds. I am 43, 5ft 3in and I weigh around 126 or so. I feel more comfortable closer to 120. Any foods/drinks I should eat or avoid in the next few weeks?