How To Lose Weight in 3 Simple Steps
How To Lose Weight in 3 Simple Steps
• Tips
• Meal ideas
• How fast to lose
• Bottom line
If your doctor recommends it, there are ways to lose weight safely. A
steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week is recommended for the most
effective long-term weight management.
That said, many eating plans leave you feeling hungry or unsatisfied.
These are major reasons why you might find it hard to stick to a healthier
eating plan.
However, not all diets have this effect. Low carb diets and whole food,
lower calorie diets are effective for weight loss and may be easier to stick to
than other diets.
Here are some ways to lose weight that employ healthy eating, potentially
lower carbs, and that aim to:
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With a low carb eating plan, you’ll utilize burning stored fat for energy
instead of carbs.
If you choose to eat more complex carbs like whole grains along with
a calorie deficit, you’ll benefit from higher fiber and digest them more
slowly. This makes them more filling to keep you satisfied.
A 2020 study confirmed that a very low carbohydrate diet was beneficial for
losing weight in older populations (2).
Research also suggests that a low carb diet can reduce appetite, which
may lead to eating fewer calories without thinking about it or feeling hungry
(3Trusted Source).
that the long-term effects of a low carb diet are still being researched. It can
also be difficult to adhere to a low carb diet, which may lead to yo-yo
dieting and less success in maintaining a healthy weight.
There are potential downsides to a low carb diet that may lead you to a
different method. Reduced calorie diets can also lead to weight loss and be
easier to maintain for longer periods of time.
If you opt for a diet focusing instead on whole grains over refined carbs, a
2019 study correlated high whole grain with lower body mass index (BMI)
(4Trusted Source).
To determine the best way for you to lose weight, consult your doctor for
recommendations.
SUMMARY
Reducing sugars and starches, or carbs, from your diet can help curb your
appetite, lower your insulin levels, and make you lose weight.
But the long-term effects of a low carb diet are not yet known. A reduced
calorie diet could be more sustainable.
• a protein source
• fat source
• vegetables
• a small portion of complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains
Protein
In one study, people on a higher protein diet ate 441 fewer calories per day
(10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).
Don’t be afraid to load your plate with leafy green vegetables. They’re
packed with nutrients, and you can eat very large amounts without greatly
increasing calories and carbs.
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• spinach
• tomatoes
• kale
• Brussels sprouts
• cabbage
• Swiss chard
• lettuce
• cucumber
Healthy fats
Your body still requires healthy fats no matter what eating plan you
choose. Olive oil and avocado oil are great choices for including in your
eating plan.
Other fats such as butter and coconut oil should be used only in
moderation due to their higher saturated fat content (12Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Assemble each meal out of a protein source, healthy fat source, complex
carb, and vegetables.
Leafy green vegetables are a great way to bulk up a meal with low calories
and lots of nutrients.
3. Move your body
Exercise, while not required to lose weight, can help you lose weight more
quickly. Lifting weights has particularly good benefits.
By lifting weights, you’ll burn lots of calories and prevent your metabolism
from slowing down, which is a common side effect of losing weight
(13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
Try going to the gym three to four times a week to lift weights. If you’re new
to the gym, ask a trainer for some advice. Make sure your doctor is also
aware of any new exercise plans.
If lifting weights is not an option for you, doing some cardio workouts such
as walking, jogging, running, cycling, or swimming is very beneficial for
weight loss and general health.
SUMMARY
If you’re sticking to a calorie deficit to lose weight, you can use a free online
calculator like this one.
Enter your sex, weight, height, and activity levels. The calculator will tell
you how many calories to eat per day to maintain your weight, lose weight,
or lose weight fast.
You can also download free, easy-to-use calorie counters from websites
and app stores. Here’s a list of 5 calorie counters to try.
Note that eating too few calories can be dangerous and less effective for
losing weight. Aim to reduce your calories by a sustainable and healthy
amount based on your doctor’s recommendation.
SUMMARY
Counting calories isn’t usually needed to lose weight on a low carb eating
plan. But if you’re not losing weight or on a reduced calorie eating plan,
calorie counting may help.
For more tips on weight loss, read about natural tips for losing weight here.
SUMMARY
Eating whole foods, higher protein, soluble fiber, and less sugar can help
you lose more weight. Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep, too.
• quinoa
• whole oats
• whole wheat
• bran
• rye
• barley
Breakfast ideas
• poached egg with sliced avocado and a side of berries
• spinach, mushroom, and feta crustless quiche
• green smoothie with spinach, avocado, and nut milk and a side of
cottage cheese
• unsweetened Greek yogurt with berries and almonds
Lunch ideas
• smoked salmon with avocado and a side of asparagus
• lettuce wrap with grilled chicken, black beans, red pepper, and salsa
• kale and spinach salad with grilled tofu, chickpeas, and guacamole
• BLT wrap with celery sticks and peanut butter
Dinner ideas
• enchilada salad with chicken, peppers, mango, avocado, and spices
• ground turkey bake with mushrooms, onions, peppers, and cheese
• antipasto salad with white beans, asparagus, cucumbers, olive oil,
and Parmesan
• roasted cauliflower with tempeh, Brussels sprouts, and pine nuts
• salmon baked with ginger, sesame oil, and roasted zucchini
Snack ideas
• cauliflower hummus and veggies
• healthy homemade trail mix with nuts and dried fruit
• kale chips
• cottage cheese with cinnamon and flaxseeds
• spicy roasted chickpeas
• roasted pumpkin seeds
• tuna pouches
• steamed edamame
• strawberries and brie
If you’re new to dieting, weight loss may happen more quickly. The more
weight you have to lose, the faster you’ll lose it.
Unless your doctor suggests otherwise, losing 1–2 pounds per week is
usually a safe amount. If you’re trying to lose weight faster than that, speak
to your doctor about a safe level of calorie reduction.
Aside from weight loss, a low carb diet can improve your health in a few
ways, though the long-term effects are not yet known:
• blood sugar levels tend to significantly decrease on low carb diets
(30)
• triglycerides tend to go down (31)
• LDL (bad) cholesterol goes down (32Trusted Source)
• blood pressure improves significantly (33Trusted Source)
Other diet types that reduce calories and increase whole foods are also
associated with improved metabolic markers and slower aging
(34, 35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source). Ultimately, you may find a more
balanced diet that includes complex carbohydrates is more sustainable.
SUMMARY
Significant weight can be lost on a low carb or low calorie diet, but the
speed depends on the individual.
General weight loss can improve certain markers of health, such as blood
sugar and cholesterol levels.
With a sustainable low carb or lower calorie eating plan, you can eat
healthy food until you’re full and still lose a significant amount of fat.
The initial drop in water weight can lead to a drop in the scales within a few
days. Fat loss takes longer.