You’re about to walk down the aisle, or spring break is just two weeks away. Your spirit is ready, but your body isn’t. You need to know how to lose weight in 2 weeks — and you need to know now.
Research shows that losing weight and getting into shape was among the most frequently made New Year’s resolutions in 2018. So, if you’re desperate to shed those extra pounds, you’re not alone.
We’ve compiled a guide on how to lose weight in 2 weeks so that you’re wedding dress or bikini ready in no time.
Let’s jump in!
How to Lose Weight in 2 Weeks: Drink Mostly Water
Did you know that as much as 60% of your body is water?
In light of this, it’s no wonder that a sugary drink doesn’t do your body justice when you’re parched. You need good old-fashioned H2O.
Fortunately, water isn’t just good for you on the inside. It’s great for you on the outside, too.
In an energy or sports drink, light beer or fruit smoothie, every serving features around 100 calories. But these beverages cannot satisfy you in the same way that 100 food calories can, so they’re essentially a waste.
Other liquids have high carbohydrate and sodium levels and thus are your body’s worst enemies. Why? Because they cause your body to retain water, thus leaving you with a bloated feeling and look.
But then there’s water. Water has no calories or carbohydrates, and it has virtually no sodium. Therefore, it’s the ideal drink for anyone wanting to slim down.
On top of that, strangely enough, water flushes out your extra water weight and jumpstarts your metabolism.
If you want to know how to lose weight in 2 weeks, start by drinking water. And if you can’t handle the taste for too long, just add mint leaves or lemon wedges with the help of an infuser. Suddenly, the taste won’t be all that bad.
Do Lunges and Push-Ups
It’s not just enough to drink water. You also need to get moving if you want to eliminate extra weight and shape up right away.
Take time to three sets of a dozen lunges every two days. And follow this same regimen with push-ups.
Lunges work the thighs, butt and hips, while push-ups target the upper body.
A couple of tips: When you’re doing a push-up, keep your legs and back straight, as this will boost your muscle tone. Also, during your lunges, hold weights in both hands to build more muscle.
Sit-Ups, Squats and Standing up Straight
We can’t talk about push-ups without mentioning her sister exercise, sit-ups. And we would be remiss not to mention squats and standing up straight, too. All of these moves can do wonders for your figure.
When it comes to standing up straight, keep the shoulders back and the spine rigid as you suck in your stomach. This will give you a more streamlined, slimmer middle.
Also, for sit-ups and squats, complete three sets of a dozen of each of these exercises. This will tighten the legs, abs and butt, thus adding definition to your muscles.
Do More Cardio
Any workout regimen that increases the heart rate will further help you to burn calories and thus lose weight. However, for the best results, choose a routine that will engage your muscles simultaneously.
For instance, try a boot-camp workout, spinning and cardio kickboxing. Just 30 minutes of each will burn between 200 and 300 calories.
Plus, you’ll tone up your core, arms and legs for a tighter and sleeker look and feel. That’s just icing on the cake.
Eat Your Veggies
Speaking of cake, stay away from it. Far, far away.
If you want to lose weight in the next couple of weeks, avoid sweets and other simple carbs, such as sandwich rolls, rice and spaghetti. These items can quickly destroy your weight loss goals because your body digests them quickly, thus leaving you feeling hungry and thus more inclined to overeat down the road.
But don’t rush to whole-grain breads, either.
Sure, whole grains are far healthier than simple carbs are. But they also feature filling fibers, which may trigger bloating — not exactly the look you’re going for.
Instead, eat your veggies, like Mom used to say.
For instance, why not grate cauliflower to create “cauliflower rice”? Or instead of eating chips and dip, why not try celery and dip?
Vegetables contain complex carbohydrates, which the body digests slowly, thus keeping you feeling full longer. And since veggies are predominately water, they’ll help you to eradicate that unwanted excess water weight, as we mentioned earlier.
Journal about Your Eating Habits
This may be the key to your weight loss success. It’s not that the act of writing in and of itself will help you to lose weight. It’s the revelation you gain from it that may put you on the path to shedding weight quickly.
So, what exactly should you write down? Jot down exactly what you’re eating (Part A) and why you’re eating it (Part B).
Part B is the kicker — as in it’ll kick you in the tail and make you think twice about your food choices.
For instance, maybe you’re using certain food items to cope with life’s stress. Realizing this from your journaling may help you to do this less.
Get Your ZZZ’s
After a busy day, there’s nothing like the feeling of your head striking your pillow, ushering you into dreamland.
Try to stay in dreamland for an extra 30 minutes each morning. That extra half hour of sleep will make you feel more refreshed and thus more likely to make smart food selections. For instance, you won’t be as tempted to grab something that will give you a rapid sugar fix for more energy.
In addition, you’ll feel more energized and thus motivated to get in the gym. Plus, restful sleep gives you a metabolism boost. And since your muscles develop while you sleep, getting some extra zzz’s further enhances your muscle tone.
In other words, #sleepisnotoverrated.
How We Can Help
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To find out more about how to lose weight in 2 weeks — and keep it off long-term — explore our health and fitness section.