Need to lose 6lbs in 3 weeks... possible?

[CrashDiet]

The last few weeks have been manic and I've eaten terribly and sunk waaaaaay too much booze.

I need to shift about 6lbs ready for the Christmas period.

Do you think it's feasible to lose 6lbs in 3 weeks? I weighed myself today and I'm 8st 12lb.

I will stick to around 1000 per day as much as possible. On days this isn't possible I'll manage it (choose lower calories options) and mitigate (fewer calories the next day to make up for it).

For exercise, I walk my dog for half hour every day. I will make an effort to swim at least twice a week for these three weeks as well (normally for half hour)

Can I do this?

Any ideas for low-calorie (400-450), filling meals also greatly appreciated. If they're veggie or vegan, even better.

I think with a starting weight of 8st 12 that it would be a stretch.

That's what I was worried about. I really need to shift some weight to make room for Christmas (when I normally put on 6-14lbs)

I don't want to drip feed but basically in the new year, I'm going to be doing a lot of public-facing engagement work, some of it on the television. I really want to look my best but also feel good. I know I shouldn't have gone insane the last couple of weeks but life spiralled out of control.

Well, if it's just for the 'look' of losing weight and not needing to lose fat in particular, you could use the keto diet to strip the glycogen in your muscles and lose the associated water weight - that's always a significant number of pounds.

It depends on your body, but you could make some good headway with intermittent fasting.

Possible. Even without exercise increase.

I lost 15lbs last year and 2lbs per week was relatively easy. Anything past that was a harder week.

I did the slimming world diet (no extra exercise).

Am doing it again now the past 3 days and attempting 6lbs before Xmas. But this time I'm going it alone without group support. So it might not be as easy.

If you can, join a group.

Good luck!

I don't know much about the keto diet... off to Google now.

@TulipsTulipsTulips What do you mean by intermittent fasting? Fasting every other day? How many cals do you have on fast days?

I use an app called body fast which sets times of the day for fasting. On some days you just skip breakfast, so nothing before noon. On other days you skip dinner. It keeps mixing it up so your body doesn’t adapt. If you can’t fast on a particular day, you just set it as a ‘joker day’ so eat normally and move on. I have definitely lost weight doing this and I much prefer it to dieting. No counting calories, just changing the times that I eat.

I'm always ravenous after I swim, so you might struggle on those days if you're anything like me...

But could you not cut back on Christmas instead? Exercise and eat well for the most part, so you put less on, and achieve the same results? That feels less likely to go wrong...

I don't get hungry after swimming any more - training myself out of that!

Cutting back at Christmas isn't an option, unfortunately. I have a huge family who are all descending on the UK from various parts of the world. There's always non-stop parties, buffets, dinners etc. Most of the women in my family are feeders too which doesn't bloody help.

I feel like I'd be setting myself up for a fall if I tried to cut back at Christmas and I'd end up feeling worse.

Are you well off op? Buy all you wardrobe favourites in a size up!! Nobody will notice the extra £££!!

yes its possible. I think the trick is eating the right foods, youre better off eating 100 calories of salad then pasta for example.

I can lose 6lb in a week, I mainly eat fruit, veg, salad, eggs, sweet potato, nuts & seeds.

3-4 green teas a day and 2 litres of water

Very low carbing, absolutely no booze or sweet stuff, gallons of water. Tis doable, I've done similar and lost a lot at the start of a low carb regime. But I'm much heavier than your starting point, so hope it would also work for you.

I really appreciate all of the input here. I do already drink loads of water so that's alright and I'm off booze now for a couple of weeks.

Easy without counting calories, and unless you're under 5ft. I wouldn't say that you're OW. but that's me

Ok So cut out all caffienated drinks, (drink water and herbal teas no sugar) eat meals according to Food Combining principles which are do not eat protein and carbs together, so no meat or cheese sandwiches but you can have them with veg or salads. Oh and have fruit as a snack or breakfast,on an empty stomach not as dessert.

I lost a stone in 2 weeks ( I wasn't meaning to lose weight) and it was without extra exercise. Just a controllable headache, from giving up the caffiene.

Easy. Drink lots of water and eat low fat cottage cheese, grilled chicken breasts and as many vegetables/salads as you can.

Thanks all. I'm trying to be as vegan/veggie as I can be but not sure how feasible that is with super fast weight loss.

Sigh.

@CrashDiet here’s a link that explains a few concepts like if, low carb, calorie counting etc Tips

Thanks @BustedDreams

I maintain with with Food Combining\no caffiene way of eating (upthread,) though I have added very low sugar now ! That works like a dream , fabulous for my skin, teeth (I began it for my teeth after a bad toothache) and eyes too !!

I don't want to be thin though just slim.