Is it Possible to Lose
30 Pounds in 30 Days?
Dear Editor,
I saw a weight loss ad that
claimed you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days. Is that possible? I really
need to lose weight but I want to do it the right way. I’ve been
suckered before by diet pills that promise fast weight loss but they
never work. As much as I want to believe this ad, how does the body get
rid of that much weight in 30 days.
Edna
Dear Edna,
Your experience and observation
are right on target. It’s almost impossible to lose 30 pounds in one
month unless you plan on NOT EATING for the entire month. Most people
have been suckered by weight loss pills promising fast results only to
be disappointed and frustrated.
The only way to lose weight and
keep it off is to stay on a sensible diet. I recommend that you eat 5
small meals per day including breakfast. Eliminate or greatly reduce any
foods made from white flour or sugar. Absolutely no regular sodas, which
is just another form of liquid candy but diet sodas are OK.
Try oatmeal or whole grain
cereal for breakfast. Lunch and dinner should consist of a lean meat
with one or two non-starch vegetables. A sandwich using whole grain
bread is acceptable for lunch but no breads of any kind after 4 pm. In
fact, the only carbs after 4 should come from leafy or non-starch
vegetables or low glycemic fruits such as strawberries. Protein shakes
and yogurt or fruits make good between meal snacks.
Keep in mind that it takes 3500
excess calories to burn 1 pound of fat so the only way to get rid of 30
pounds of fat is to slowly burn it through a daily calorie deficit. If
you have a 500 calorie deficit per day, you can burn 1 pound per week
until you get to your idea weight.
If your body normally burns 2000
calories, then reduce your daily calorie intake to 1500 to burn 1 pound
of fat per week. To lose 2 pounds per week, you need a calorie deficit
of 1000 calories per day. Just remember that it’s easier to maintain a
500 calorie deficit, which makes losing weight easier for the long term.
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