Lose Weight Fast

Get the pounds off as fast and safely as possible. Then keep them off for good!

Fasting to Lose 20 Pounds? How Much Weight Will You Lose?

Are you thinking of fasting to lose 20 pounds? If so, you may be wondering how much weight you can lose by doing this. But this isn't the only thing you'll need to know about fasting to lose weight. Here's the scoop:

How Much Weight Can You Lose by Fasting?

You can lose quite a bit of weight by fasting. You may be able to fluctuate as much as three pounds in a day with some manipulation of foods and fluids. The only problem is that continuing to fast this way may make the number on the scale drop but that won't be good news for you. That's because you'll be losing muscle weight.

That muscle is the very thing burning calories for you when you're sitting on your butt. Losing muscle will directly cause your metabolism to slow down. Then you'll gain more weight back (as fat this time) because you now have to do more physical activity to burn what you used to burn without thinking about it.

What Are You Fasting From?

Whether or not fasting works to get 20 pounds of fat off of you (and not muscle) depends on what you're fasting from. Fasting from soda, sugar, candy, fatty meats and alcohol can help you drop a lot of fat quickly. Do this while you greatly increase your water intake and your jeans will have a lot more room in them a lot faster.

When you're thirsty, your brain thinks you're hungry and you get cravings which make you miserable. That is, unless you give into them and eat a gallon of ice cream, but then you feel miserable from guilt. Save yourself the trouble. Drink tons of water all day and have only 100 or 200 calories from your favorite drink, food or whatever each day. Then you'll scratch your itch and still use weight.

Use the calorie counter (to the left) to figure out what kind of pleasure foods you can have that add up to 100 or 200 calories. Then you'll lose 20 pounds quickly, be happy the whole time and be able to stick to your eating plan for good.

How Can I Lose 20 Pounds Fast?

Are you looking for ways to drop 20 pounds quickly? It is possible to put your weight loss on the fast track but you'll want to do it without sacrificing your future weight management and health. Here's how you can lose 20 pounds fast and how to figure out how long it will take you to do it.

How Fast You Can Lose Weight

How fast you can lose 20 pounds depends on several factors. For most people, about one or two pounds per week is the fastest way to safely lose weight. That is only factoring in weight loss from fat, however, which is the only kind of weight you want to lose. Losing muscle will kill your metabolism and losing water only lasts until you drink more water.

Exceptions to This Rule for Speedy Weight Loss

If you're extremely obese then you will probably lose more than a pound or two each week. You may lose three or four pounds a week, actually. The other exception to this rule is if you're in a controlled and strict weight loss program. That's how people are able to lose 20 pounds so quickly on shows like The Biggest Loser. Nine times out of ten, you can't afford 24/7 monitoring and all-day workouts.

How Can You Lose 20 Pounds Fast

So, now that you have your time line, it's time to make your weight loss plan. Here's what you'll need to lose the weight safely and quickly and keep it off for good:

1. Set reasonable goals and write them down. Keep the list where you can see it every day.

2. Change your mind about temporary yo-yo diets or you'll always struggle with your weight. Lifestyle changes make permanent weight changes.

3. See a doctor and a dietitian to get clearance to start a diet and a meal plan just for you.

4. The 20 pound weight loss journey may be fast, but not that fast. Weigh yourself only once per week along the way. Do it at the same time with the same scale.

5. Work out. Yes, work out. The best exercise to lose 20 pounds is the one you like the most. If you don't like exercise, explore new options. There are just so many things to do that burn calories that there is bound to be one thing you like.

6. Clear out your cupboards and start over. Clear out your desk at work and your car, too. Replace all the junky crunchy foods with healthy ones. Replace all the junky sweet foods with healthier sweet foods. Replace all the drinks with water.

7. Consider using the help of a diet aid like Alli. It's been approved by the FDA and blocks your body from digesting the fat you eat.