I've got 3 weeks to drop 10 pounds - Suggestions?

oceanamy2287
oceanamy2287 Posts: 19 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

In addition to my general desire to be healthy and fit and my long term fitness goals of losing another 35 pounds by the end of 2013, I have a short term goal. I have an event in 3 weeks that I need to lose 10 pounds for. I don't usually make those types of short term goals and am not willing to do anything that is going to put my body or health in danger, but I would love to hear some balls to the wall suggestions for nutrition and exercise over the next 3 weeks that will maximize my results!

I consider myself to be fairly active, as I exercise 4-5 times a week with cardio and some light resistance training, but have been kind of out of control with the eating and alcohol lately.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • nturner612
    nturner612 Posts: 710 Member
    idk if thats even possible...you dont look very big to begin with. it took me 3 months to lose 13lbs....but then again there was some cheating involved. maybe if you work out EXTRA hard and absolutly no cheating? and super healthy eating..idk hope it works out for you!
  • S_Delbridge
    S_Delbridge Posts: 73
    I would say burn atleast 1050 calories a day, eat tons of raw veggies & fruits make sure your getting atleast half of your weight in oz of water!! never eat past 8pm while trying to obtain this short term goal & cut out sugar. some ppl may even suggest paleo for the short time! if that doesn't work then there is always body slimmers & spanx (;
  • now_or_never12
    now_or_never12 Posts: 849 Member
    I don't think that would be an achievable goal if you only have 35lbs left you want to lose.

    Unless you go to the extreme and do it in an unhealthy way I don't believe you can lose 10lbs in such a short time.

    Just keep going as you are and be happy with any loss you get.
  • BeingAwesome247
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
    I'd say you're setting yourself up for failure & a binge by pushing it to that extreme

    Losing 10lbs in 5-6weeks would be more realistic
  • veggieluver2
    veggieluver2 Posts: 70 Member
    Ditto this ^^
  • ncruso24
    ncruso24 Posts: 37 Member
    Do cardio that is fat burning, like the 10 minute Victoria Secret workout. With that and other cardio I can lose about 9 lbs in 3 weeks. You can find it on the internet. I don't know if it is ever entirely healthy to lose more than 3lbs per week, but a goal is a goal.
  • aussiestargazer
    aussiestargazer Posts: 98 Member
    if you have put it on very quickly with in recent times - then get back to your calorie level; leave the alcohol (totally empty cals) alone; drink heaps of water and increase calorie burn - each pound you need to lose = 3500 cals deficit - 10 pounds = 35,000 cal deficit over 3 weeks is around 12,000 cals a week is around 1,300 cals a day you need to burn off or not eat - so if your BMR is 1700 - you could go back to 1,200 cals a day of good healthy clean food and burn 800 cals a day but hard work!
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Make your goal 5-6 pounds and buy some Spanx for the event. Work out, make sure you net enough, eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, and don't cheat. You should be fine.
  • marathon_mama
    marathon_mama Posts: 150 Member
    Cut the carbs including fruit. You will drop the 10 pounds. That's what professionals do before competitions. You won't be losing fat though, it will be water and "puffiness". Good luck!
  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
    It sounds aggressive, and perhaps the aftermath will cause you to give up your good habits.

    BUT

    I ride a bike for really long distances, like 2-3 hours...i think according to my gps and estimates I've burned 4000 calories in 3 hours. The elliptical and stair machines at the gym really burn calories like a mutha. I'd get on those as frequently as I could, for as long as I could stand.

    I'd give up anything with salt and sugar, try to stick to vegetables and chicken breasts...no bread, no lunch meats, no candy, nothing that came in a bag or box.

    I think you could probably do 6 pounds, but 10 sounds like a lot.
  • nadz6012
    nadz6012 Posts: 126 Member
    Cut the carbs including fruit. You will drop the 10 pounds. That's what professionals do before competitions. You won't be losing fat though, it will be water and "puffiness". Good luck!

    This^. If you're only looking to see that number drop quickly on the scale do this. One week under 20 net carbs and I can lose 10 pounds in just water weight.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Do you just "need to lose 10 pounds", or do you want to lose 10 pounds of fat?

    Either way; you need an appropriate calorie deficit. If you're quite low fat already, the consensus seems to be that you're unlikely to be able to lose 3.3lb of fat a week, so some will come from muscle.

    Of course, there's various 'healthy' (thinking boxers, fitness models) use to lose weight/look better which can be done but are a bit questionable - ie last minute dehydration etc.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,281 Member
    I agree with cutting your carbs. But if you only lose 5 pounds, consider that a victory. :)
  • ClementineGeorg
    ClementineGeorg Posts: 505 Member
    You could try to lose weight water... It won't make you more toned, but you will appear less big without the bload.
    https://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/350661-jillian-michaels-shed-5lbs-of-water-weight-in-7-days-the

    Also, there are cosmetic wrappings and electrolisys machines at some beauty places that make you lose water and inches even after a single session. If you can afford.

    I would not recomend eating less... but trying in addition more challenging exercises. Bootcamps and other heavy stuff should tone you a little in 3 weeks.
  • CoachDuhamNC
    CoachDuhamNC Posts: 25
    Only one way to achieve this goal. its called a cleanse. That's the fastest way and the safest way.Flush the pipes clean.


    CoachDuhamNC
  • oceanamy2287
    oceanamy2287 Posts: 19 Member
    Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

    I totally understand that this is a lofty goal, and I will be very happy with whatever comes off. Definitely don't want to set myself up for a binging situation...

    I guess I just need to go balls to the wall for a few weeks and hope for the best!!!

    Amy
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Cut the carbs including fruit. You will drop the 10 pounds. That's what professionals do before competitions. You won't be losing fat though, it will be water and "puffiness". Good luck!

    This^. If you're only looking to see that number drop quickly on the scale do this. One week under 20 net carbs and I can lose 10 pounds in just water weight.

    ^^^This

    I get ready for vacation by cutting out the starches, upping the veggies and water, and sticking to a rigorous exercise plan. I can cut 5 pounds of water weight in a couple of weeks doing that and look less bloated in whatever I want to wear. As long as you're ok with the fact that it WILL come right back on, I say go for it.
  • cheshire29
    cheshire29 Posts: 48
    When I started on mfp a month ago today I lost 6lbs in the first 3 weeks just by tracking calories again (took 3 months off, lack of motivation). I didn't exercise nearly as much as I had hoped so I imagine I would have lost 2-3 more at least if I had adding in more exercise. Depending on where you are at in your journey I think it's possible. Just like everyone has said so far eat healthy and get as much exercise as you can while being kind to your body. Oh and my biggest struggle- drink tons of water!
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Only one way to achieve this goal. its called a cleanse. That's the fastest way and the safest way.Flush the pipes clean.


    CoachDuhamNC
    Got any (scientific) backup for that claim?
  • cboutin89
    cboutin89 Posts: 79 Member
    Low carbs and high protein diet is great. When you get major food cravings fruits/vegetables/nuts or simple moderation are a great alternative. As for the workout, 5 days minimum will help. Fat burning/ high intensity workouts are great. Try Jillian Michael s/ Turbo Jam(kickboxing)/Hiphop abs. I lost about 10-15 pounds with this method. You or anyone else can Add me.

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