Diet to Lose 60 Pounds Fast

Want to lose 60 pounds in a hurry? Rapid weight loss can be dangerous if not done properly and under a physician's direct supervision. By understanding the safe levels of weight loss and the right way to combine diet and exercise to achieve your goals, you can lose your 60 pounds in six months without risking your health or well-being.

Weight Loss Basics

The only medically guaranteed way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in over a sustained period of time. One pound of body weight equals 3,500 calories, so you need to expend (or not consume) 3,500 calories to lose one pound. You can do this by reducing your caloric intake, engaging in aerobic exercise, or both. Experts suggest that the maximum safe amount of weight to lose is 2.5 pounds per week. To calculate how many calories you can safely lose, use an online calorie calculator to figure out what your daily need is, and then use that to figure out how many calories you can eliminate each day.

Diet

Forget carbohydrates and fat: The key to weight loss is to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, making sure that you restrict the total number of calories. Although you can choose to eat fewer carbs or fat grams, the real key is calories. You stand a better chance of losing weight through diet modification than through exercise alone. Eat things that are low in calories but high in fiber to help you feel fuller and more satisfied, and be conscious of everything that passes betwixt your lips: Hidden calories can be the most dangerous.

Exercise

After you figure out your basic daily calorie needs, you can help create a calorie deficit by exercising. Although exercising will not compensate for a poor diet, exercise improves your cardiovascular health, which is inherently a good thing. Use an exercise calculator to figure out how much your activity is contributing to your weight-loss plan.