What's the best diet to lose a lot of weight before summer?

[Mr. Socko]

I have some extra pounds, and I'm not a big fan of exercise (I work-out three times a week...for the past month), and I was wondering: what kind of cheap diet can I go on to lose that spare tire? I wanna look good before summer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Edit: Keep in mind that I have an enlarged heart...I don't know if a lot of cardio workout would help it much...:shrug:

[absyntheNsugar]

1. Atkins works fast

But isnt always fun.

Try reducing your caloric intake by 10-15%...

Also - when you work out, do you do cardio every time? And when you do cardio, are you hitting 65%-75% of your max heart rate?

[Mr. Socko]

5. Nah...I only lift weights.

I suppose I should do cardio. I have an enlarged heart...so I don't know if that'll be a good idea...

[7th_Sephiroth]

21. go on the atkins diet

you'll loose like 20lbs a month for the first few months, i did (but it also makes u constipated, but if you drink tons of water, it wont be so bad)

[SoCalDem]

2. There is no easy way

but cutting out as much sugar as possible ..and fat... has to help :)

Eating raw veggies is good :)

[KissMyAsscroft]

3. Cut out refined sugar...

No carbs. Workout like crazy. No soda.

Drink lots of water.

[jpgray]

8. If you elminate carbs, you aren't going to be able to work out very well

Without carbs, the cardio stuff you're going to want to do will be next to impossible. Getting rid of worthless carbs like sugar or white bread is a good idea, however.

[mr_hat]

4. Gradually pick up the intensity and/or duration of your workouts. >

Aim for at least 30 minutes a day at around 60% of maximum heart rate (a heart monitor helps).

Cut processed carbs and white starches from your diet. Eat lean meats, fruits and vegetables in balance. Stick at it. Visualize.

Good luck!

[Mr. Socko]

6. Fruits and veggies???

Awww damn. I'm gonna fail.

[stanwyck]

24. very valuable advice

I've been working out with a trainer since January of this year and have lost 12 pounds. I have belonged to a gym for a few years but I was coasting, doing the same routine. The trainer confirms what you've said: up the intensity. We do speed intervals at increasing levels and times. I never would have done this without his guidance. I also started lifting more weight. I've cut back on sugar and the "bad" carbs (white flour) and those cravings are diminishing. Obviously, you know what you're talking about.

[SarahB]

7. Get rid of sugar and white flour

If you're a man, you have it gone real fast.

[DS1]

9. and when you work out

the first 30 minutes only uses the sugars already in your system, it's the stuff beyond that which burns fat away.

[Mr. Socko]

11. So...I should cut out sugar 100%?

And that would help?

That's gonna be hard as hell to do...

[SarahB]

25. It works well though

For a little sugar stick with low sugar fruits like berries and melons and keep that as your only source of simple sugars.

[wyldwolf]

10. more water, less sodium, and calorie reduction

[ConcernedCanuk]

12. Turn off your computer !

.
.
.

You'll think of something !!

:evilgrin:

:bounce:

[Mr. Socko]

13. Awww...I love my computer.

Anything besides that?

[1monster]

14. Caveat: As with any diet, you should talk to your doctor first. And

diets can and will slow your metabolism if you don't also exercise while dieting...

This is a diet for patients who need to lose lots of weight in a hurry before having surgery. The diet is to be used 3 days at a time. After 4 days of normal eating start back on the 3 day diet. Drink lots of water.....get yourself your favorite glass and just keep it filled with water. Drink at least 6 glasses a day. Preferably 8.

1st Day

BREAKFAST: Black coffee or tea, 1/2 grapefruit or juice, 1 slice of toast, 1 tblspn. peanut butter

LUNCH: 1/2 Cup Tuna, 1 Slice of toast, Black coffee or tea

DINNER: 2 slices any meat (3oz), 1 cup string beans, 1 cup beets or carrots, 1 small apple, 1 cup vanilla ice cream

2nd Day

BREAKFAST: Black coffee or tea, 1 Hard-boiled egg, 1 slice toast, 1/2 banana

LUNCH: 1 Cup cottage cheese or 1/2 cup tuna, 5 Saltines

DINNER: 2 Wieners, 1 cup broccoli or cabbage, 1/2 cup carrots or turnips, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

3rd Day

BREAKFAST: Black coffee or tea, 5 saltine crackers, 1 slice cheddar cheese, 1 small apple

LUNCH: 1 Hard-boiled egg, 1 slice toast, black coffee or tea

DINNER: 1 Cup tuna, 1 cup beets or carrots, 1 cup cauliflower or greens, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

The diet works as a chemical breakdown...do not vary or substitute any of the foods. Salt and pepper may be used but no other seasoning. Claims: in 3 days you will lose 10 lbs., lose 40 lbs in a month.

[Mr. Socko]

15. Woah...I don't even think a bird could live on that diet.

But I'll give it a shot if you can lose 10 pounds in 3 days.

[jpgray]

18. Any diet that consistently makes you lose so much in so little time is bad

It is not at all the way you want to lose weight, especially if you want to maintain what muscle mass you have, AND you want to keep it off for any length of time. Crash diets are much less successful or healthy than a sustained plan of nutrition.

[jpgray]

16. That diet will cause you to lose muscle mass as well as fat

Anything over 1-4 pounds a week is going to be taking some muscle mass away from you. Ten pounds in three days is going to wreak havoc on your system. You're better off eating some whole wheat bread/pasta, some small amount of poultry/fish (one serving or so daily), lots of veggies, lots of grains like rice, and plenty of water. A little bit of fruit and a little bit of dairy and you're set. Avoid sugar like the plague, and try to get healthy fats over saturated animal fats as much as possible, but keep your fat intake reasonable.

edit: and this will take 8-10 weeks at most, 5-8 at least.

[Mr. Socko]

17. That sounds more reasonable.

Thanks. :hi:

[Kira]

19. Try some soy meats

instead of real meat. They actually taste really good. Prime burger pattie by Morning Star is great. Throw it in the oven on 450 for about15 minutes (flip sides) put a slice of no fat cheese (again really good) lettuce tom. It is great and so much less fat. Plus soy is GREAT for your heart. Boca products are great too.
Keep up the weights and walk everyday if you can't do a more strenuous exercise. And always consult your doctor first. Good luck.
Oh and green tea is suppose to help you loose weight too.

[Nikia]

20. If you drink soda or other sugary beverages

Stop and drink lots of water instead. Going along with the water concept, you could eat soup for your meals. You usually can eat two or three servings of soup and feel full on less than 500 calories.

[stanwyck]

22. Great advice

my neighbor, a pediatric surgeon, was drinking Cokes several times a day. At least 4. He stopped. And lost 15 pounds in two weeks.

[MAlibdem]

23. to lose weight during summer

eat a bowl of granola in the morning & coffee galore, a salad for lunch, and a salad with legumes/tuna/or chicken for dinner

slims you down hella fast...mix up the salad with other vegetable meals...like mixed steamed veggies.

[MidwestMomma]

26. South Beach is great for losing the spare tire

The diet is formulated to eliminate the 'heart attack' fat around the middle. The first 2 weeks are tough but you will lose that belly. I did.

The diet is based on the idea that because of our high carb/sugar diets that our fat cells become insulin resistant so that when the body goes to the fat cells for energy, the insulin isn't effective against the fat cells so we retain them. First 2 weeks you are limited to lean meat, low-fat cheese, various vegetables and nuts. After that you introduce fruit, dairy and whole grain bread products back into your diet.

As far as eliminating sugars...There are so many great sugar free and no sugar added products out there it's amazing. And they have a new sweetener called Splenda that I really like. Good luck!