I know it's naughty but fast track weight loss....

holkeo
holkeo Posts: 34
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
So... you're all going to tell me off for this. I know it's not the right way or most sustainable. BUT it is under very unusual circumstances.

Basically, my partner and I are one screen test away from getting married on national television in August. He applied, we have gone through interviews and now there is a screen test. Now, 1000's of people applied, so I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen (people like us don't get 12K for a wedding for free!)

BUT

I clearly want to be in the best possible shape just in case. We find out mid-July if we are on the show, which would be filmed at the end of August.

My question here is... are there any tips for fast track weight loss (this is a lifestyle change for me... I'm completely in the zone and see healthy eating and exercise as a way of life now) but obviously this is unexpected and a real one-off.

I plan to go spinning 5 times a week minimum and eat really healthy food- lots of fish, chicken, veg and fruit.

Is it possible to drop 2 dress sizes in 2 months???

Are there any tips for fast track success- with in mind I know that this isn't the most sustainable way.

Thank!!! :-)
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Replies

  • CodyD18
    CodyD18 Posts: 161 Member
    If you're very desperate then you can try a VLCD (very low calorie diet, which typically means under 800 calories). I would look it up online and you should probably talk to your doctor first. You should also be aware that once you go back to normal eating you will gain the weight back and probably some extra.
  • CodyD18
    CodyD18 Posts: 161 Member
    How much do you want to lose though? It might be possible to do it the right way.
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    If you're very desperate then you can try a VLCD (very low calorie diet, which typically means under 800 calories). I would look it up online and you should probably talk to your doctor first. You should also be aware that once you go back to normal eating you will gain the weight back and probably some extra.

    Hey... thanks for your suggestion!!! I don't know if VLCD would necessarily be the best thing to do then... I am a teacher and need to be mega alert at all times and don't want to be lacking the amount of energy I need on a day to day basis....!?!?! Hmmm...

    Thanks for the suggestion though. Am I being naive?? Is this the ONLY way I can do it??

    x
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    How much do you want to lose though? It might be possible to do it the right way.

    I mean my actual goal is 3 stone overall... but I know that's impossible. Ideally 2 stone would be amazing!!!!

    Unrealistic?? It's more about body shape though- toned and smaller in inches!
  • Jennwith2ns
    Jennwith2ns Posts: 296 Member
    In my opinion, as long as you don't eat less than 1200 calories a day you should be okay. I wouldn't eat less than that because your body will turn on you and stop dropping the pounds. Like you said, workout and eat healthy and that is the best chance you have.
  • CodyD18
    CodyD18 Posts: 161 Member
    If you're very desperate then you can try a VLCD (very low calorie diet, which typically means under 800 calories). I would look it up online and you should probably talk to your doctor first. You should also be aware that once you go back to normal eating you will gain the weight back and probably some extra.

    Hey... thanks for your suggestion!!! I don't know if VLCD would necessarily be the best thing to do then... I am a teacher and need to be mega alert at all times and don't want to be lacking the amount of energy I need on a day to day basis....!?!?! Hmmm...

    Thanks for the suggestion though. Am I being naive?? Is this the ONLY way I can do it??

    x

    Read my other post too. You should actually avoid doing that as much as possible. It is not good for your body and will probably get you further from your goal in the long run. How much do you want to lose?
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    It's possible even with healthy, normal eating to lose two dress sizes. With a lot of running, mild strength and core training, and eating well, not drastic, I dropped a size in a month while only losing about three pounds. Keep following the path your on. It's not worth screwing up your metabolism for a "maybe."
  • Soziberry
    Soziberry Posts: 115
    Fast tracking is only meant as I couple of week thing really. I can def see a change in body shape with exercise in 2 months but imo the spin classes might be great for burning calories but your body might keep what is there and get even heavier as muscle develops. I suggest breaking the exercise up into sections, some cardio (spin, boxercise, kick fit, step etc) and some muscle toning like pilates, yoga, aqua and possible a little Zumba? Good luck but miracles don't always appear when you actually need them to.
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Start P90X ... I dropped 2 sizes in the first 30 days or so of that program!
  • penny5
    penny5 Posts: 148 Member
    I think healthy eating, low carb, tons of water, exercise morning and night, and maybe a body wrap at a spa just before hand :) By the way, congrats on possibly getting your dream wedding! Keep us up to date so that we can watch if you make it!!!! Oh yeah, another thought.....Spanks Shapewear!!!!!
  • CodyD18
    CodyD18 Posts: 161 Member
    How much do you want to lose though? It might be possible to do it the right way.

    I mean my actual goal is 3 stone overall... but I know that's impossible. Ideally 2 stone would be amazing!!!!

    Unrealistic?? It's more about body shape though- toned and smaller in inches!

    You might be able to lose like 20 lbs (1.5 stones I think) in 2 months. But if you do it the right way and build muscle you'll probably looks a lot better anyway! I take back what I said before. You shouldn't do a VLCD.
  • VICKY_83
    VICKY_83 Posts: 51 Member
    I hope you get it hun..x I would say exercise everyday for aleast 2 hrs and eat more fresh foods like salad and fruit or you could get one of those sauna suits there really good or even go in to the sauna.... thats what I would try. but he is right if you have 800 calories a day then start eatin more you will put the weight back on and more, it happened to me at xmas, I cryed ..
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    It's possible even with healthy, normal eating to lose two dress sizes. With a lot of running, mild strength and core training, and eating well, not drastic, I dropped a size in a month while only losing about three pounds. Keep following the path your on. It's not worth screwing up your metabolism for a "maybe."

    Thanks you for this- So if a dress size is possible in a month- maybe I could get down to a size 12 in 2 months!!!! That's hopeful!! I think if I just live in the gym for the next couple months I could do it? It's an hour roundtrip but maybe cycle to work 2-3 times a week and the dogs get walked twice a day anyway.

    I'm sure you can empathise with me... was on the right path anyway but panic stations have set in!!xxx
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    The issue you're going to run into is that you don't have all that much to lose. Your fat levels aren't all that high, and this means that they're in areas where it is more difficult for the body to access them.

    Probably what will get you the best results, without destroying your metabolism or making you worthless in day-to-day functioning, is a deficit of around 1 lb per week and a LOT of strength/weight training. Strength training will be your best friend right now, because it will help maintain muscle mass and help your metabolism. And while you might not drop quite as much weight, it will probably help you more in the dress-size department than cardio will. Muscle is more compact, and can help you take up less space even if you haven't loss as much weight.

    Eat very clean (please, please don't try to do a VLCD - you WILL regret it), get lots of water, keep carbs moderate, good protein, etc. Avoid sodium. Hit the weights hard. Also, might look into HIIT (high intensity interval training).

    Good luck. :wink:
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    Fast tracking is only meant as I couple of week thing really. I can def see a change in body shape with exercise in 2 months but imo the spin classes might be great for burning calories but your body might keep what is there and get even heavier as muscle develops. I suggest breaking the exercise up into sections, some cardio (spin, boxercise, kick fit, step etc) and some muscle toning like pilates, yoga, aqua and possible a little Zumba? Good luck but miracles don't always appear when you actually need them to.

    Thanks for the advice that's so helpful! xx
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    To change your body shape, get those muscles working. Lift heavy weights and focus on not just your problem areas, but all muscle groups. Muscle burns a great amount of calories at rest - increasing your daily caloric burn and making it 'easier' to lose weight. Don't be afraid of bulking up, that is nearly impossible to do with a calorie deficit (what you are doing).

    So lift! Lift lift lift :)
  • manda2j
    manda2j Posts: 63
    It looks like someone else said it, but i would say a whole lot more of body/strength toning alongside the cardio... something like insanity or P90 would prbly be the best thing... just stay on track and do it every single day! you can do it girl!! :)
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    I hope you get it hun..x I would say exercise everyday for aleast 2 hrs and eat more fresh foods like salad and fruit or you could get one of those sauna suits there really good or even go in to the sauna.... thats what I would try. but he is right if you have 800 calories a day then start eatin more you will put the weight back on and more, it happened to me at xmas, I cryed ..

    Thank you!!! Me to!!!!!! I will return to this thread and let you all know if it happens!!!!! Sauna suits?!?x
  • VICKY_83
    VICKY_83 Posts: 51 Member
    good luck..:bigsmile:
  • Andeenero
    Andeenero Posts: 22 Member
    If I were in that position, I would stick to mainly fruits/vegetables. No processed foods at all. Eat small portions of chicken/fish for protein (about the size of a deck of cards). I would switch out one meal a day with a green smoothie or juice. Make sure you keep your calories under 1200, but I'm sure you'll still get to eat plenty of food. Also, switch coffee with green tea or hot water with lemon and all other beverages with water. And stay hydrated.
    I did the above back in January with great results and tons of energy.
    I would also spend at least 60 min exercising a day. Apparently tae bo burns a ridiculous amount of calories. I haven't tried that one out though. Not my thing really. I'm more of a dance video/class kind of aerobics person or a walker, both of which work great for me but they don't burn as many calories.
  • Stronger11
    Stronger11 Posts: 3
    I lost 3 dress sizes in 7 weeks by eating healthy (around 1200 calories per day average) and exercising for 30-45 minutes every single day...so it definitely can be done the 'right' way.
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    The issue you're going to run into is that you don't have all that much to lose. Your fat levels aren't all that high, and this means that they're in areas where it is more difficult for the body to access them.

    Probably what will get you the best results, without destroying your metabolism or making you worthless in day-to-day functioning, is a deficit of around 1 lb per week and a LOT of strength/weight training. Strength training will be your best friend right now, because it will help maintain muscle mass and help your metabolism. And while you might not drop quite as much weight, it will probably help you more in the dress-size department than cardio will. Muscle is more compact, and can help you take up less space even if you haven't loss as much weight.

    Eat very clean (please, please don't try to do a VLCD - you WILL regret it), get lots of water, keep carbs moderate, good protein, etc. Avoid sodium. Hit the weights hard. Also, might look into HIIT (high intensity interval training).

    Good luck. :wink:

    Thank you so much for this- really helpful. I tend to stick to classes coz for some reason I lose all motivation when I'm alone in the gym. You familiar with Body Pump?? Do you think that as a class would do the trick? Or do i REALLY have to get on the weights machines and free weights etc??? Shall i still stick to spin every day + weights work??x
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    I think you can lose 2 dress sizes in that time healthily. Please don't do anything drastic!

    To jumpstart the weight loss I'd do a fruit and veggie cleanse to get rid of some of the toxins in your body. Do 2-4 days of just fruits, veggies, water and herbal teas. Avoid bananas which can constipate you. Get as much fiber as you can to help flush things out. 1 cup of mild laxative tea such as senna tea per day will help move things out of your body. Then after doing this for a few days, slowly reintroduce normal food and no less than 1200 calories per day. For a few weeks now I've been eating around 1300-1450 calories per day and losing a steady 1-3 pounds a week. I've been drinking a lot of tea and water, keeping my sodium and carbs as low as possible, and proteins high.

    I know a lot of people here on MFP don't really agree with cleanses and/or fasting, but a fruit and veggie detox is a form of fasting and it can actually be really good for the body to take a break from all of the really hard to digest foods we eat such as meat, dairy, etc. It can help reduce bloat, clear up skin, give you more energy, etc. It can help jumpstart weightloss once you get back to eating normally. Just make sure the detox doesn't go on for longer than 4-5 days or your body will think it's starving.
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    To change your body shape, get those muscles working. Lift heavy weights and focus on not just your problem areas, but all muscle groups. Muscle burns a great amount of calories at rest - increasing your daily caloric burn and making it 'easier' to lose weight. Don't be afraid of bulking up, that is nearly impossible to do with a calorie deficit (what you are doing).

    So lift! Lift lift lift :)

    Thank you- what would you recommend?!?!?! Low weight high rep on all areas?!?! i don't do much muscle work as you can see ;-)
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    Choose a weight and try to do 10 reps, if you can do them easily, pick a heavier weight. Wait a few minutes and try the 10 reps again.

    Ideally you want to be really trying hard at rep 6-8, and rep 10 to feel almost impossible. But if it is too hard to even get to rep 6, the weight is too heavy.
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    The issue you're going to run into is that you don't have all that much to lose. Your fat levels aren't all that high, and this means that they're in areas where it is more difficult for the body to access them.

    Probably what will get you the best results, without destroying your metabolism or making you worthless in day-to-day functioning, is a deficit of around 1 lb per week and a LOT of strength/weight training. Strength training will be your best friend right now, because it will help maintain muscle mass and help your metabolism. And while you might not drop quite as much weight, it will probably help you more in the dress-size department than cardio will. Muscle is more compact, and can help you take up less space even if you haven't loss as much weight.

    Eat very clean (please, please don't try to do a VLCD - you WILL regret it), get lots of water, keep carbs moderate, good protein, etc. Avoid sodium. Hit the weights hard. Also, might look into HIIT (high intensity interval training).

    Good luck. :wink:

    Thank you so much for this- really helpful. I tend to stick to classes coz for some reason I lose all motivation when I'm alone in the gym. You familiar with Body Pump?? Do you think that as a class would do the trick? Or do i REALLY have to get on the weights machines and free weights etc??? Shall i still stick to spin every day + weights work??x

    Body pump would be an ok class, and one that will help more than spinning. But, I hate to say it, you REALLY need to get on the weights. You will be amazed at what they will do for your shape and the way clothing fits. Is it possible to get a trainer temporarily? That might help keep you motivated.
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    I think you can lose 2 dress sizes in that time healthily. Please don't do anything drastic!

    To jumpstart the weight loss I'd do a fruit and veggie cleanse to get rid of some of the toxins in your body. Do 2-4 days of just fruits, veggies, water and herbal teas. Avoid bananas which can constipate you. Get as much fiber as you can to help flush things out. 1 cup of mild laxative tea such as senna tea per day will help move things out of your body. Then after doing this for a few days, slowly reintroduce normal food and no less than 1200 calories per day. For a few weeks now I've been eating around 1300-1450 calories per day and losing a steady 1-3 pounds a week. I've been drinking a lot of tea and water, keeping my sodium and carbs as low as possible, and proteins high.

    I know a lot of people here on MFP don't really agree with cleanses and/or fasting, but a fruit and veggie detox is a form of fasting and it can actually be really good for the body to take a break from all of the really hard to digest foods we eat such as meat, dairy, etc. It can help reduce bloat, clear up skin, give you more energy, etc. It can help jumpstart weightloss once you get back to eating normally. Just make sure the detox doesn't go on for longer than 4-5 days or your body will think it's starving.

    This is really helpful- funnily enough, my friend sells Aloe Vera detox plans and I'm going to buy one at the end of the month (pay day).... this healthy eating lark is really expensive. I used to eat far less (hence storing all this excess weight) so buying everything fresh is really expensive for me. So the detox will have to wait until end of the month. Have also bought a weight loss tea which sounds simliar to the one your'e talking about.

    Thanks for your advice!x
  • holkeo
    holkeo Posts: 34
    The issue you're going to run into is that you don't have all that much to lose. Your fat levels aren't all that high, and this means that they're in areas where it is more difficult for the body to access them.

    Probably what will get you the best results, without destroying your metabolism or making you worthless in day-to-day functioning, is a deficit of around 1 lb per week and a LOT of strength/weight training. Strength training will be your best friend right now, because it will help maintain muscle mass and help your metabolism. And while you might not drop quite as much weight, it will probably help you more in the dress-size department than cardio will. Muscle is more compact, and can help you take up less space even if you haven't loss as much weight.

    Eat very clean (please, please don't try to do a VLCD - you WILL regret it), get lots of water, keep carbs moderate, good protein, etc. Avoid sodium. Hit the weights hard. Also, might look into HIIT (high intensity interval training).

    Good luck. :wink:

    Thank you so much for this- really helpful. I tend to stick to classes coz for some reason I lose all motivation when I'm alone in the gym. You familiar with Body Pump?? Do you think that as a class would do the trick? Or do i REALLY have to get on the weights machines and free weights etc??? Shall i still stick to spin every day + weights work??x

    Body pump would be an ok class, and one that will help more than spinning. But, I hate to say it, you REALLY need to get on the weights. You will be amazed at what they will do for your shape and the way clothing fits. Is it possible to get a trainer temporarily? That might help keep you motivated.

    I'm thinking about getting a trainer for the next couple months. But also, I can book in free for a training programme by one of the trainers there so going to do that asap. Maybe if I tell them the situation they can explain to me the best option for weights?!x
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    This is really helpful- funnily enough, my friend sells Aloe Vera detox plans and I'm going to buy one at the end of the month (pay day).... this healthy eating lark is really expensive. I used to eat far less (hence storing all this excess weight) so buying everything fresh is really expensive for me. So the detox will have to wait until end of the month. Have also bought a weight loss tea which sounds simliar to the one your'e talking about.

    Thanks for your advice!x

    Aloe Vera is supposed to be soo good for you! I think that's a great idea.

    I used to eat less too. That's why I was overweight. I wasn't eating enough! Now I feel like I'm eating so much all day long but I'm losing, so I guess it's working. :laugh:
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    The issue you're going to run into is that you don't have all that much to lose. Your fat levels aren't all that high, and this means that they're in areas where it is more difficult for the body to access them.

    Probably what will get you the best results, without destroying your metabolism or making you worthless in day-to-day functioning, is a deficit of around 1 lb per week and a LOT of strength/weight training. Strength training will be your best friend right now, because it will help maintain muscle mass and help your metabolism. And while you might not drop quite as much weight, it will probably help you more in the dress-size department than cardio will. Muscle is more compact, and can help you take up less space even if you haven't loss as much weight.

    Eat very clean (please, please don't try to do a VLCD - you WILL regret it), get lots of water, keep carbs moderate, good protein, etc. Avoid sodium. Hit the weights hard. Also, might look into HIIT (high intensity interval training).

    Good luck. :wink:

    Thank you so much for this- really helpful. I tend to stick to classes coz for some reason I lose all motivation when I'm alone in the gym. You familiar with Body Pump?? Do you think that as a class would do the trick? Or do i REALLY have to get on the weights machines and free weights etc??? Shall i still stick to spin every day + weights work??x

    Body pump would be an ok class, and one that will help more than spinning. But, I hate to say it, you REALLY need to get on the weights. You will be amazed at what they will do for your shape and the way clothing fits. Is it possible to get a trainer temporarily? That might help keep you motivated.

    I'm thinking about getting a trainer for the next couple months. But also, I can book in free for a training programme by one of the trainers there so going to do that asap. Maybe if I tell them the situation they can explain to me the best option for weights?!x

    Even if you just get the consult and a session or two, they should be able to set up a good plan for you for the weight training. Get the form right, do the heavy weights (and like Sarah said, don't be afraid of bulking up), and I bet you'll be pretty happy with the results in a couple of months. :wink:
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