Is it your dream to enjoy the most tantalizing foods summer brings with it, without causing the slightest impact on your weight loss routine? Who wouldn’t want to have it all – the best physique and the perfect figure, and of course the yummiest meals? Does it work like that, though? I don’t think so!
But count your lucky stars – I’ve got the ideal fat-burning plan that will shed pounds off your body in just two weeks. You don’t have to starve, consume dodgy supplements, or eliminate entire food groups from your diet. Sounds too good to be true? I know it does, but trust me when I say it works. Let me explain.
The answer to your query “how to lose weight in 2 weeks” demands your utmost dedication and hard work. If you’ve got that, give yourself a pat on the back. I know many people opt for easy options like weight loss pills or liposuction, but is it worth it? These shortcuts might give you the results you’re looking for, but the effects never last. Worst still, think about the side effects or dangers you have to put yourself through.
That’s why I advocate making the right changes to your lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine to lose more weight in a healthy manner. It all starts with the right mindset and attitude.
Weight loss without dieting is all about the small sacrifices. Don’t worry, I’m not giving you another one-plan-suits-all regimen. Instead, you’ll decide which exercise and eating strategy is perfect for your lifestyle. Once you’ve chosen an expert-backed weight loss plan, promise yourself that you’ll make them a part of your routine for the next 14 days.
It’s All About Eating Right
What do I mean by eating right? Strict dietary restrictions? Depriving yourself of all your favorite foods? Definitely not!
It’s about having more energy and feeling good, and it starts with eating the right kinds of foods that give your body the energy it needs.
Start your day with a cup of hot water with half a lemon squeezed in it. This simple morning drink gives you clear skin, protects you from the nasty cold, and ensures better overall health.
Do you enjoy snacks? Everyone does. But it’s time to include some healthy snacks in your diet. We’re not talking about bland and tasteless snacks that most diet plans have. I’d rather munch on nuts, pickles, or hummus. Tempting, yes? Try snacking on some almonds, walnuts or raisins for a healthy energy boost.
When it comes to vegetables, there is a list of items that you need to include: celery, okra, onions, squash, mushrooms, radishes, eggplants, pea pods, and even the mighty broccoli are all your friends.
I’m not asking you to say goodbye to carbs either. Half a cup of cooked brown rice is all you need to make carbs a part of your diet.
It’s Also About Eliminating the Wrong Foods
We eat a lot of things without realizing their harmful effects on our health. You can lose weight in 2 weeks only if you know what foods you should eliminate from your diet. Start with white sugar, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol – they need to go.
Try replacing coffee with green tea if you need your caffeine fix. Green tea is a healthier option since it contains less caffeine.
Here’s another tip: give up the habit of eating anything between 8pm to 8am.
What to Drink
Only water!
Energy beverages, sports drinks, or light beer; they all contain about 100 calories per serving…or more! These add up throughout the day to a significant amount. They’re also considered empty calories and don’t satisfy you the same way healthy food does. Besides, sports drinks are high in carbohydrates and sodium, and they make your body retain more water.
Water is the only drink that has zero carbs and zero calories and does your body good. In short, it is the best drink you can have without any fears. Water is great at removing toxins from your body and jump-starting your metabolism, hence making it easier for you to lose more weight.
If you want to improve the taste of water, try adding mint leaves or lemon wedges. Trust me, this simple fix will surprise your palate.
Coffee Before Exercise
Okay, so here’s an exception to the water-only rule. Does your morning coffee help you stay fresh or more productive at work? A pre-exercise mug of java works the same way. Caffeine has a unique way of helping you burn more calories during a workout.
The next time you’re at a nutrition supplement shop, look at the label in any pre-workout drink. You’ll almost always find caffeine listed as one of the key ingredients.
The trick is to consume caffeine within one hour of your workout. So add more energy to your next workout with a cup of black coffee. If black coffee tastes too strong, add some skim milk or unsweetened almond milk to your cup of joe to improve its taste.
Change How You Eat
Changing what you eat is not enough. It’s also equally important to change how you eat. If you’re eager to lose weight in two weeks, you might be easily tempted to spend an entire day fasting or skipping meals altogether.
This actually does more harm than good. Prolonged fasting can cause major health problems if done incorrectly, and can lead to binge eating for some people. What’s more, it becomes difficult to lose weight as your body thinks that it’s starving. The body starts to conserve more calories to fulfill its nutrition requirement.
Fasting may help you lose some weight initially, but by the end of 14 days, you are more than likely to gain it back. Never attempt to fast without proper medical supervision.
Moderation Matters
After changing what you eat and how you eat, take a look at how much you eat. If you think that eating lots of healthy foods is okay, then you’re wrong. Everything should be done in moderation. Get rid of those big, fancy utensils you have in the kitchen. Replace them with smaller plates and utensils.
Snacking is where your portion control can go wrong. A handful of nuts does not mean an entire bag. If you’re prone to overeating, then measure your snacks beforehand. Just grab a small container and fill it up with the right serving size. You now have a healthy snack to satisfy those quick hunger pangs.
Let Your Inner Cook Shine
The most efficient way to control every calorie and nutrient that enters your body is to cook your own food. You might say, “But there are so many restaurants that serve healthy or diet foods, why do I need to do the hard part myself?”
Well, that’s the thing. How certain are you of the type of dressing they use for their “diet” salad or the kind of oil they cook their vegetables in?
Adopt the habit of cooking for yourself since this is the only way you can have complete control over your diet. You decide on the kind of healthy oils, the right amount of salt, sugar, and butter, and even your portion sizes. The added benefit is you’ll be able to make better savings in the long term.
Exercise Every Day
You shouldn’t underestimate the positive effect of regular exercise on your health. If you’re just starting to work out, stick to moderate physical activity. However, if you’re used to working out, then try taking things up a notch by switching between vigorous and moderate exercises throughout your day.
Whatever you do, remember to take enough breaks and drink plenty of water consistently.
You’re Allowed to Cheat
But only once in awhile!
This is the most important weight loss tip that can do wonders for you. Consuming a lot of calories after a week a two can be a good thing as it will help your body avoid downregulating.
Downregulating is the stage where your body gets used to losing weight to such an extent that it can eventually stop burning calories. So have some fun with your diet. It will help you keep your healthy diet on the right track.
You can accomplish your goal of losing weight in 2 weeks if you limit this cheating session to an hour or two. Don’t extend it to an entire day. Eat whatever you want during this period, but remember to resume your diet plan the very next hour.
Final Thoughts
Mark your calendar. Start today. Follow the nutrition and exercise tips we discussed for two weeks straight. This is the time to eat, drink and shrink. Yes, this is the time to get the body you want. By this time two weeks into the future, you’ll be ready to look and feel your best.
