How to Lose Seven Pounds Safely & Quickly

Finding a safe way to lose weight quickly isn't easy. According to the Mayo Clinic, losing weight at a relatively slow pace has proved safe, healthy and effective. But doctors at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere do know of a safe and quick way to lose seven pounds. Patients facing heart or weight-loss surgery are sometimes put on strict diets to quickly lose pounds before surgery; you can use those same diets to lose seven pounds quickly and safely. These programs aren't intended for extended periods of time, but if done for one to two weeks, you will take off at least seven pounds.

Instructions

Shed Seven Pounds Fast

1

Restrict your daily calorie intake. A restricted-calorie diet---like the one recommended for gastric bypass patients before surgery---can be followed for up to two weeks to lose 10 to 15 pounds. With this diet you could lose seven pounds in a week or less. Slash your daily calorie intake; consume only 800 to 1,200 calories a day.

2

Drink most of your calories. A full liquid-protein diet will yield the fastest weight loss but can be very hard to stick to, even for a week. You will need to consume 70 to 120 g of protein each day; the only way to do this is with protein supplement drinks. Choose a high-quality whey, soy or hemp protein powder. You want protein powder with very little sugar (less than 5 g per serving) and high-soluble fiber (more than 10 g per serving). Don't use bodybuilder protein or weight-gaining protein; look for the words weight-loss protein or weight-control protein. According to the website bariatricchoice.com, getting adequate protein prevents the body from using lean muscle tissue as an energy source while losing body fat on a calorie-restricted diet.

3

Mix your protein powder with water or fat-free milk. Don't use sugary juices. You should drink four to six 8 oz. protein drinks per day. Make sure to add the calories and grams of protein you're consuming with these drinks to your daily totals.

4

Stop eating carbohydrates (rice, bread, pasta and cereals). You can eat small amounts of whole-wheat crackers, brown rice or high-fiber cereal if you're craving carbohydrates. Avoid refined sugars, saturated fats and fried food. Your diet should consist of protein drinks, fruits, vegetables, brown rice, olive oil, lean meat, nuts, beans and seeds. Make sure to count calories and keep it under 1,200 per day.

5

Drink plenty of water. All of this extra protein yields a quick weight drop but can also cause constipation. Drinking water throughout the day will curb constipation and keep you feeling fuller. Drink at least 64 oz. of water a day.

6

Don't overexercise while following this diet. You will lose seven pounds quickly and safely from the diet alone. You are taking in too few calories to be pushing yourself at the gym. Moderate exercise is good.
Try a 30-minute walk five days a week. Beyond that could be dangerous; don't overdo it.

Second Option

7

Eat soup. The Sacred Heart Diet or soup diet claims weight-loss results of 10 to 17 pounds in one week, according to idiet4u.com. The diet was thought to have gotten its name from Sacred Heart Hospital in Maryland, where the plan supposedly was devised for patients who needed to lose weight fast for surgery. As it turns out, there's no connection between any major hospital and the soup diet. This diet yields quick weight loss, though. It severely limits food choices and involves eating large quantities of a homemade soup. The Sacred Heart Diet is safe to follow for one week.

8

To make the soup, you will need these ingredients: 1 or 2 cans stewed tomatoes; 3 large green onions; 1 large can beef or vegetarian broth (no fat); 1 package chicken-noodle dry soup mix; 1 bunch celery; 2 cans green beans; 2 lbs. carrots; 2 green peppers; 1/2 head cabbage, chopped.
Use a large soup pot. Cut vegetables in small to medium pieces, and chop cabbage. Place vegetables in the pot and add just enough water to cover the vegetables. Add canned tomatoes, green beans, dry soup mix and broth; mix together. Add salt, pepper curry, parsley or Worcestershire sauce to taste. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender.

9

Eat as much soup as you want whenever you want all week long. The soup can be eaten at any time.

10

Drink 64 oz. water per day. You can also drink unsweetened tea, coffee, cranberry juice and skim milk. Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks during this week.

11

Eat specific foods each day in combination with the soup to accelerate weight loss results.
Day 1: Eat only fruit (except bananas) and soup.
Day 2: Eat only vegetables and soup.
Day 3: Eat only fruit, vegetables and soup (no bananas, no potatoes).
Day 4: Eat only bananas and soup.
Day 5: Eat only 10 to 20 oz. beef, tomatoes and soup.
Day 6: Eat only 10 oz. beef, vegetables (no potatoes) and soup.
Day 7: Eat only brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices, vegetables and soup.
This diet works fast because it flushes your body of impurities and restricts your calorie intake. Although not for everyone, the Sacred Heart Diet, if followed, will help you safely takes off seven or more pounds in one week.