How to Lose 60 Pounds

People have a wide variety of reasons to lose weight. Some attempt weight loss to improve their physical appearance while others try to lose weight in an effort to improve their overall health. Regardless of why you are trying to lose weight, it is important to remember that weight loss regimens require consistency and commitment. Here are some tips that will help you along the way.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Losing Weight through Dieting

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1
Devise a diet plan. The most important first step in shedding pounds through dieting is to select a dieting plan. Tailor that plan to your lifestyle, and establish clear weight loss goals. It is essential to construct a plan that is appropriate for your goals and medical/health history. This is best done by a dietitian. There are many different ways to achieve weight loss through dieting. Below, a few different diet plans are listed.
- Keep in mind that, whichever dieting method you choose, dietary and medical specialists suggest that losing more than an average of one to two lbs. a week is not safe for your body. Also, some studies suggest that rapid loss increases the risk of gaining weight back. In order to lose one to two pounds per week, average adults need to cut 500 to 1,000 calories per day from their diet.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Low or No Carb Diets: These diets utilize a method of eliminating carbohydrates from your diet and replacing the nutritional value of those carbohydrates with protein-rich foods. These diets, while helpful with losing weight, can lead to nutritional deficiencies, as carbohydrates are a natural part of human health requirements.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Low-Fat Diets: These diets are designed to cut the overall intake of fats from your diet, thus eliminating excess calories that can lead to weight gain. Also, decreasing fat intake lowers the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Low-Calorie Diets: These diets control the overall intake of calories, found in all types of food, to help produce a reduction in the overall body mass of an individual. These types of diets can often lead to fatigue, as an individual’s overall caloric intake and, thus, energy is reduced.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
It is always important to speak with your doctor before beginning a weight loss program.
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3
Drink lots of water and take vitamins. Drinking water is not only healthy, but can also reduce hunger and the urge to eat by making you feel full. Also, taking a daily regimen of multivitamins can help replace the extra nutrients that you may be missing from your diet.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Doctors recommend that adult males drink at least 3 liters (0.79 US gal) of water a day and adult females drink 2.2 liters (0.6 US gal) of water of day.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Vitamins are essential as many people who start diet plans tend to cut out foods their bodies are used to eating, thus creating deficiencies.
4
Eat breakfast. Dieting does not equate to skipping meals. Eating breakfast, contrary to popular belief, actually helps to kick-start your metabolism, which assists in burning excess calories throughout the day.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Start off the day with a 500 to 600 calorie meal. A very healthy and filling meal at that falls in line with this calorie intake would include a banana, a bowl of oatmeal, whole-grain toast with one to two tablespoons of peanut butter. This will provide you with a mix of carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates give you quick energy and protein will provide energy throughout the day.^{[8]XResearch source}^{[9]XResearch source}
5
Eat lunch. If you have eaten breakfast and plan to eat dinner, there is no reason to eat a large lunch. However, you can still eat a healthy and filling meal at lunchtime.
- For lunch, eat 300 to 400 calories. Salad, yogurt, salmon, chicken (not fried, but grilled), fruit, cottage cheese, steamed vegetables, or soup are all good choices. ^{[10]XResearch source}^{[11]XResearch source}
- Avoid foods that are heavy in saturated fat or high in calories. This would include fried foods, heavy sauces, and creams,
6
Eat well-portioned dinners. For most Americans, dinner is the largest meal of the day. As a result, it is very important that you limit the portions of food you eat at dinnertime. Don’t overindulge and avoid following-up dinner with a dessert.
- You should eat a dinner that falls somewhere around 400 to 600 calories. Roasted chicken with whole wheat pasta, mahi-mahi tacos, beef stir fry with broccoli and shiitake mushrooms, or pork medallions with pomegranate sauce are all tasty choices that provide the necessary nutrition while still falling in this calorie range.^{[12]XResearch sourceJillian Michaels, The Master Your Metabolism Cookbook (New York: HarperCollins, 2005)}
7
Avoid unhealthy snacks, soda, and alcohol. Snacking on chips, candy, other unhealthy foods in between meals is devastating to one’s diet. All of the "unhealthy" snacks, or those that contain high levels of “empty” calories or high levels of fat, are deemed excess calories by your metabolism and stored for later use. Also, soda and alcohol, especially beer, are high in calories and generally unnecessary for your body’s nutritional requirements.^{[13]XResearch source}
- As an alternative, try snacking on a handful of almonds, carrot sticks and hummus, calorie-limited snack packs, or yogurt.^{[14]XResearch source}
- It is critical to point out here that diet sodas have never been proven as effective as weight loss tools. Actually, the sweetness of the diet soda tricks your body into thinking it is getting high-calorie input, without providing any actual calories. Because of this, drinking diet soda is likely to increase hunger as well as the desire for sweet, high-calorie foods.^{[15]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Losing Weight through Exercise

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1
Set reasonable weight loss goals. Your body can only take so much exercise before it breaks down. As such, it is important not to set workout regimens that are far beyond your body’s physical capabilities. Also, keep in mind that changing your lifestyle in minor ways (walking or biking instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.) can increase the amount of physical exercise you get throughout the day, making intensive workout sessions less necessary.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
- Setting goals that are too steep can create a negative environment and cause you to give up. Try setting smaller goals, week-by-week, instead of big goals that seem unobtainable.
It is important to know what your body is capable of with regards to exercise. If you have bad knees, avoid running or jogging on hard surfaces. If you have a heart condition or other ailment, be sure to check with a medical professional about workout regimens that will be safe for you.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
3
Stretch before and after working out. Make sure you prepare your body for the workout ahead by stretching your muscles prior to exercising. This will help you avoid injuries. Stretching afterward will help prevent soreness.
- Be aware that injuries while working out essentially put your weight loss plans on hold. A pulled muscle or torn tendon will stop you from working out for weeks or months at a time and you will gain all the weight you lost right back.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
4
Employ “low-impact” workouts. While a “low-impact” workout might sound detrimental to losing weight quickly, this simply means avoid unnecessary strain on your joints and muscles during workouts. Walking and jogging are effective and proven alternatives to running. Various machines, such as ellipticals, stair-climbers, and rowing machines, will ensure your body is not taking on unnecessary strain during cardio workouts.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
- In addition to running, jogging, swimming or walking, simple exercises like arm circles, up down planks, squats, leg lifts,plie squat rises,bench dips, kicks, duck walks, lunges, and other exercises can all be useful techniques to help you lose weight.
Make sure you keep track of your pulse, breathing, and heart rate during the workout to be certain your body is handling the strain of the exercise properly. If you notice any sudden or irregular changes in your body functions, see a doctor or medical professional immediately.^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
6
Be consistent. Working out every once in a while will have little to no impact on your body weight. Once you have established an exercise plan, stick to it on a daily basis. There are two reasons for this. First, you will only lose weight when exercise is carried out consistently. Secondly, intermittent or periodic workouts will ultimately make it harder for you to achieve your weight loss goals because they do not contribute to increasing the time or intensity you can put into exercise.^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Results can take time. Stick to it and remember that all things worth having may take a while. It will be challenging but worth it.
If you don’t have a scale, get one! In order to ensure that your workout is helping you lose weight, you need to be able to track your weight.
Weight loss through exercise will not happen instantaneously. It takes a long time to see measurable results and, on some occasions, you may gain weight before you lose it. Stick to your exercise plan and give it a chance to work.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Undergoing Gastric Bypass Surgery

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Undergoing surgery to lose weight is a drastic step to take and has the potential to be dangerous. Try every other available method of losing weight before even considering undergoing gastric bypass surgery.^{[23]XResearch source}^{[24]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
2
Know the pros and cons of GBS. There are benefits and disadvantages to undergoing gastric bypass surgery, so it is important to know what benefits it provides as well as the drawbacks associated with the surgery.
- The pros include:
  - You can lose weight very quickly^{[25]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
  - It provides weight loss solutions when other solutions don’t work^{[26]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
  - It limits your appetite when you are lacking self-control^{[27]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
  - It requires little to no physical effort^{[28]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
- The cons are:
  - The surgery is dangerous, expensive, and may not be covered by your insurance^{[29]XResearch source}
  - You can rupture your stomach if you eat too much
  - Your stomach can stretch out over time, meaning the surgery is not permanent
  - It does not solve the underlying issues of weight gain^{[30]XResearch source}
  - It can lead to severe dietary deficiencies
3
Consult with a physician or doctor. A medical professional may be able to help you lose weight without undergoing gastric bypass surgery. He or she may recommend alternative treatments, diets, therapies or workout programs that will help you avoid the complications and limitations of gastric bypass surgery.^{[31]XResearch source}^{[32]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Also, some people who would be prime candidates for gastric bypass surgery are actually too large to undergo the procedure. This is an equally important reason to visit your doctor and discuss the realities of surgery as a solution to your weight problem.^{[33]XResearch source}
A doctor will tell you if you are an eligible candidate for gastric bypass surgery and should also inform you of the limitations you will face after the surgery. These limitations often include extremely limited ability to intake food, severe dietary restrictions on the types of food you can eat, and discomfort in the stomach during or after eating.^{[34]XResearch source}^{[35]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
Gastric bypass surgery is not to be taken lightly. It is an invasive medical procedure that will require you to take time off of work for recovery and will likely require the assistance of a friend or family member in the hours and days after your procedure. So, be sure to plan ahead.^{[36]XResearch source}
6
Attend all follow-up appointments and follow your doctor’s instructions. Once you have undergone the gastric bypass surgery, you will need to closely follow your doctor’s recommendations for recovery to ensure a successful outcome. Also, gastric bypass surgeries require follow-up appointments to gauge how you are recovering from the procedure.^{[37]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- If you are undergoing this procedure ostensibly to improve your appearance, be aware that other surgeries are often required to remove excess skin and to reshape the affected area so that it will be pleasing to the eye.^{[38]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
Is it possible to lose weight in six months?
Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Registered Dietitian
Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.
Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Registered Dietitian
Expert Answer
Yes, you can lose a significant amount of weight in 6 months. Working on both your diet and exercise will help you lose weight faster.
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Question
Can you lose 40 pounds in 3 months?
Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Registered Dietitian
Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.
Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Registered Dietitian
Expert Answer
No, that is not a realistic goal. In 3 months, you can expect to lose 12-24 pounds.
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How long does it take for a woman to lose 70 pounds?
Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Registered Dietitian
Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.
Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Registered Dietitian
Expert Answer
It is recommended to lose 1-2 pounds per week. It may take up to a year to lose 70 pounds for a woman or a man.
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