Whether you’re looking to shed those last few pounds or jumpstart your weight loss journey, I’ve got you covered. This post shares how to lose 5 pounds fast!
If you're looking for unhealthy ways to lose weight, this is not the post for you. This is a great post if you're looking to change your lifestyle and lose weight along the way. In this post, I'll be sharing actions you can take today which can lead to weight loss.
After all, crash diets tend not to have long-lasting effects -- meaning, even if you lose the weight, it may come back. After all, short-term weight loss can be easier than long-term weight loss.
Also -- if you want to hear more about my journey, check out this post: My Struggle With Weight.
How long should it take to lose 5 pounds?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), "people who lose weight at a gradual, steady pace—about 1 to 2 pounds a week—are more likely to keep the weight off than people who lose weight quickly." This is also a strategy I recommend as a personal coach with my clients. Given that, it generally takes 2-3 weeks to lose 5 pounds in a healthy and sustainable manner.
So my advice for this to work would be:
- First, be clear on why you want to lose five pounds so you can set a healthy deadline.
- Second, be willing to commit to a few simple habits over the next few weeks.
Ultimately, the healthiest approaches are the most sustainable, making your body feel GOOD.
Can You Lose 5 Pounds In a Week?
Yes, it is possible to lose 5 pounds in a week. But you’ll likely be shedding off water weight (short-term approach) and not fat (long-term and more sustainable approach).
KEEP IN MIND: Losing 5 pounds in 1 week is not generally recommended week after week.
This gradual weight loss is within a healthier time frame. The research shows that it's sustainable and will give you great results over time.
Can You Lose Weight by Walking?
Yes, walking can help you lose weight. I’ve been in the step-counting club for quite some time now, and one of my biggest breakthroughs in weight loss was realizing the importance of “calories in, calories out” (without overdoing it and I’ve been there too).
So by getting your steps in and moving, you’re able to burn those extra calories which can speed things up significantly.
8,000-10,000 steps a day is awesome. But if you’re just starting and that sounds like too much, simply focus on moving more than you usually do.
Baby steps y'all! Pun intended.
8 Tips for Healthy Weight Loss
We’ve talked about why it’s important to get clear with a realistic goal and some basic hacks. Below are more simple and sustainable things you can do to shed those 5 pounds fast.
- Drink the right amount of water daily: Did you know that sometimes dehydration can be mistaken for hunger? Imagine having a snack for every time you think you’re hungry when all you need is a glass of water.
Bonus tip: have a full glass of water before each meal. This will help fill you up faster and can make you eat less. Water can help you burn even more calories, too.
- Drink apple cider vinegar (ACV): There are studies that support the idea that ACV can help with weight loss, among other benefits of apple cider vinegar.
- Learn to portion control: Portioning your meals isn’t about reducing your carbs to a sad tablespoon each meal or doing away with it altogether. It’s about knowing how to balance your meals better.
- Prep your meals: Meal prep is a simple and easy way to track your food intake. Whether you just want to stay away from over-processed foods and eat healthy to build muscle, lose weight, or simply feel better...meal prep is a great idea.
I talk about this more in my 7-Day Meal Prep for Weight Loss post.
- Try intermittent fasting: This isn’t for everyone but if you get used to it, intermittent fasting (IF) can help with weight loss.
I personally have experienced amazing results from IF and what works best for me is fasting from 7pm to 9:30am. If this sounds like your jam, check out my brand-spanking-new Intermittent Fasting Meal Plan.
- Skip the sugary drinks and/or alcohol: Because you’re supposed to be drinking more water anyway, this should be a little easier 😉 REALLY: If you regularly drink soda or alcohol, cutting these can have a huge impact.
Pro Tip: If you have trouble drinking water on its own, get creative and make your own homemade lemonade or infused waters.
- Avoid processed foods: Many processed foods are high in sodium, which can make you retain water, causing bloating.
Try switching your processed cookies or chips to fruits or yummy chocolate peanut butter energy balls or try swapping Greek yogurt for your mayo.
- Use your blender: Try blending your food, which is a fast way to get in a well-balanced meal.
Bonus tip: replace one of your meals with a healthy and yummy protein smoothie. I’m in love with smoothies because they’re so delish, loaded with nutrients, and are super easy to make! I add cleanish Brand Protein Powder (Dustin and I developed it and we're super proud of the fantastic results).
More Help With Weight Loss
There you have it! Eight simple, safe, and sustainable ways to lose weight fast. Remember that it’s not about ticking as many of these off but choosing a few that work for you, your goals, and your lifestyle.
If you like what you just read, here are some other of my posts on weight loss:
Cristina
Do you have a link for the glass jars pictured above? The one with the fruit water. I've been looking for something similar with a screw-on top like that. Thanks!
Dustin
Yea all the containers we use are linked to in this post: https://www.asweetpeachef.com/best-meal-prep-containers/
Those are the mason jars and you have to buy the lids separately.
katty
Hello, to lose 10 pounds of weight I followed this method: “the2weekdietnow. com” (search it on the internet) It is a natural method and it helped me to have a better figure