Losing 5 pounds in two weeks is a realistic goal if you’re committed to making some serious lifestyle changes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can do this effectively:
Step 1: Calculate your daily calorie needs.
To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit. Start by calculating your daily calorie needs using an online calculator that takes into account your age, gender, height, weight, and activity level.
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): This is the number of calories your body burns at rest, just to keep your organs functioning. Here’s a formula to estimate Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) for adults:
For Men: BMR = 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) – 5 x age (years) + 5
For Women: BMR = 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) – 5 x age (years) – 161
This formula calculates the number of calories your body burns at rest, assuming you are awake and not digesting food, and takes into account your weight, height, age, and sex.
- Activity Level: Once you have calculated your BMR, you need to factor in your activity level to determine your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).
Use the following table to determine your activity level multiplier:
- Sedentary: No exercise or very little exercise, desk job (BMR x 1.2)
- Lightly active: Light exercise 1-3 days / week (BMR x 1.375)
- Moderately active: Moderate exercise 3-5 days / week (BMR x 1.55)
- Very active: Hard exercise 6-7 days / week (BMR x 1.725)
Extremely active: Extremely strenuous exercise, physical labor or training daily (BMR x 1.9)
- Calculate your TDEE: Once you have determined your activity level multiplier, multiply it by your BMR to get your TDEE.
TDEE = BMR x activity level multiplier
Then, determine your calorie needs for weight loss, maintenance, or gain.
- To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than your TDEE.
- To maintain weight, consume the same amount of calories as your TDEE.
- To gain weight, consume more calories than your TDEE.
A general rule of thumb for weight loss is to create a calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories per day to lose 1-2 pounds per week.
Step 2: Plan your meals.
Plan your meals for the next two weeks, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods like lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid processed and high-calorie foods that are low in nutrients.
- Do: Include a variety of foods to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
- Do: Choose low-calorie, high-fiber foods that will help you feel full and satisfied.
- Don’t: Eat more than your daily calorie goal, even if the food is healthy.
- Don’t: Skip meals or snacks, as this can lead to overeating later.
Step 3: Track your food intake.
Use a food diary or app to track your food intake and stay within your daily calorie goals. Be honest with yourself about what you eat and how much you eat. If you’re not sure about the calorie content of a food, look it up online.
- Do: Measure your food to ensure accuracy.
- Do: Track everything you eat, even small snacks.
- Don’t: Rely solely on your memory, as this can lead to inaccurate tracking.
- Don’t: Beat yourself up if you go over your calorie goal one day. Just get back on track the next day.
Step 4: Drink plenty of water.
Drink at least eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated and help flush out toxins. Water also helps you feel full and can prevent overeating.
- Do: Keep a water bottle with you at all times.
- Do: Drink water before, during, and after exercise.
- Don’t: Rely on sugary drinks like soda or juice, as these are high in calories.
Step 5: Spend at least an hour exercising every day.
Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, five days per week. You can get ClassPass and include other workouts like strength training to build muscle, which can help increase your metabolism.
- Do: Find an exercise that you enjoy and can stick to.
- Do: Start slow and gradually increase your intensity.
- Don’t: Overdo it, as this can lead to injury.
- Don’t: Use exercise as an excuse to eat more.
Step 6: Get enough sleep.
Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Minimal sleep can affect the hormones that regulate satiety and hunger, causing you to overeat and gain weight.
- Do: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
- Do: Create a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Don’t: Use electronic devices in bed, as the blue light can disrupt sleep.
Step 7: Reduce stress.
Stress can lead to overeating and weight gain. Find ways to reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
- Do: Practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing.
- Do: Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep
- Don’t: Obsess over the scale: Focusing too much on the number on the scale can increase stress and make it harder to stick to your weight loss goals.
- Don’t: Compare yourself to others: Comparing yourself to others can increase stress and make it harder to focus on your own progress and goals.
Watch this to understand how stress can lead to weight gain: