If you're biggest worry right now is how to lose weight fast before a vacation, you aren't the only one. Girls all over the globe are wishing to drop a few pounds before they head out to see the world. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can lose weight fast before a vacation so that you are svelte and slim and ready to enjoy your time away. The important thing is to be careful how you go about things so you aren't so hungry that you binge eat or lose so much that you compromise your health. If you're ready to slim down and lose weight fast before your vacation, here's everything you need to do.
1 Step 1
Attach a photo of your vacation destination to the door of your refrigerator. Reminding yourself where you're going can motivate you to stick to your diet and exercise plan.
Frequently asked questions
2 Step 2
Join the gym. If you're losing weight for vacation, chances are your goal is to look good on a beach or on the town. Exercise not only burns calories, it tones the body, so you'll look not just thinner, but healthier.
3 Step 3
Clean your cabinets of sugar, fried foods and other diet-killing junk foods. These include many foods labeled "fat free," because they typically contain high amounts of sugar. Also toss highly processed foods; according to Harvard University, they interfere with weight loss.
4 Step 4
Lock up your liquor. Alcohol kills a diet because it's packed with calories. What's worse is that your body can't store those calories. It has to burn them first, meaning it takes longer to tap into the fat you're trying to lose.
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If you absolutely can't resist a glass, go for low-calorie options like a spritzer or a light beer. Remember, it's not just about the booze itself, but also the sugary mixers that can add on the extra calories. Instead of a cocktail, try mixing your liquor with water, a splash of citrus, or a diet soda. This way, you can join in the toast without derailing your weight loss efforts. Stay mindful of not only what you drink, but how much and how often. Cheers to your willpower!
5 Step 5
Go grocery shopping. Stock up on "real" food -- raw vegetables and fruits, chicken and fish, whole-grain pasta, and other light food you can eat instantly or prepare easily at home.
6 Step 6
Estimate your daily calorie needs. Your needs are determined by your weight, height, age, gender and level of activity.
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Once you've estimated your calorie needs, you can then create a weight loss plan by eating fewer calories than you burn. A safe and sustainable deficit is typically between 500 to 1,000 calories a day, leading to about 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week. Remember though, don't drop below 1,200 calories daily if you're a woman, unless you're under the guidance of a health professional. Always prioritize a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.
7 Step 7
Plan your daily calorie deficit. To burn a pound of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories. For example, if you normally need 2,400 calories a day, falling 500 calories short of your needs every day will help you burn a pound a week. Adding moderate exercise to the mix will widen the deficit; your basic calorie needs will go up, and your calories consumed will go down.
8 Step 8
Make a checklist of your daily nutritional needs. For example, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 38-year-old female of average height who weighs 150 pounds and gets 30 minutes to an hour of daily physical activity needs about 2,200 calories a day. The USDA recommends 7 oz. of grains, 3 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruits, 3 cups of milk and 6 ounces of meat and beans.
9 Step 9
Choose a time to exercise every day. Some people love hitting the gym before work; others do it on their lunch break, and still others can't even think about exercise before the workday is done. Whenever you go, strive for a moderate combination of aerobic activity (walking, jogging, elliptical trainer, an aerobics class) and strength training (weight machines, free weights.)
10 Step 10
Eat breakfast every day. Wise weight-loss choices include raw fruit, low-fat yogurt and granola, hard-boiled eggs and a slice of whole-grain toast with peanut butter.
11 Step 11
Eat a snack before lunch. Again, fruit--especially apples--and yogurt are good mid-morning choices. Just make sure your snack is delivering some nutrition and keeping you from feeling hungry.
12 Step 12
Make lunch your largest meal of the day. Good choices include sandwiches with whole-grain bread and roasted lean meat, such as chicken or turkey. Round it out with generous portions of low-calorie foods including light microwave popcorn, baby carrots, celery with peanut butter or edamame--a Japanese soybean that is high in fiber and protein.
13 Step 13
Have another mid-afternoon snack, if you're hungry. The goal is to reach dinner time hungry enough to eat, but not enough to feel as if you're starving.
14 Step 14
Eat an early, small dinner. Include a source of protein (fish, chicken) and a variety of vegetables such as a salad with light dressing, steamed carrots or broccoli with cheese (provided it's within your calorie count and daily nutritional plan.)
