Lose Weight Fast: How to Do It Safely - WebMD

Sick of crash diets and fad diets? Follow these healthy tips for rapid weight loss.

You've heard it time and again: fad diets don't work for permanent weight loss. But what about those times when you really need to lose some weight fast? It's hard to pass up the promise of crash diets like the Lemonade Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, or Lose 21 Pounds in 21 Days when your mission is to squeeze into a new outfit in time for a reunion, wedding, or other special event.

So what's wrong with dropping 20 pounds fast so you can wow your friends and family with a svelte new shape?

The truth is that nothing is wrong with losing weight rapidly -- as long you do it the right way, says Michael Dansinger, MD. He's the medical doctor for NBC's The Biggest Loser show, which spotlights quick and dramatic weight loss.

"In theory, one could drop as much as 20 pounds in a week following a very ambitious eating and exercise plan, devoting more than seven hours per week to rigorous exercise, and under a physician's care like we do on the television program," he says.

But even if you can't drop everything to go to weight loss "boot camp," you can safely lose 3 or more pounds a week at home with a healthy diet and lots of exercise, says weight loss counselor Katherine Tallmadge, RD.

In fact, having a goal like looking great at a wedding or reunion can be a great motivator, as long as you follow a weight loss plan that you can keep up after the special event.

But you need to plan ahead and allow enough time to make changes to your shape.

"Don't wait until one week before the reunion to try and lose 10 pounds," advises Tara Gidus, MS, RD, team dietitian for the Orlando Magic.

Read the rest of the article: How to Lose Weight Fast...

20 Years Younger: Look Younger, Feel Younger, Be Younger!

It's time to turn back the clock! In 20 YEARS YOUNGER, Bob Greene offers readers a practical, science-based plan for looking and feeling their best as they age. The cutting-edge program details easy and effective steps we can all take to rebuild the foundation of youth and enjoy better health, improved energy, and a positive outlook on life. The four cornerstones of the program are: an exercise regimen for fighting muscle and bone loss, a longevity-focused diet, sleep rejuvenation, and wrinkle-fighting skin care. Woven throughout the text is practical advice on changing appearances, controlling stress, staying mentally sharp, navigating medical tests, and much more. Readers will walk away with a greater understanding of how the body ages and what they can do to feel-and look-20 years younger.

Reviews

"Together with stress control and the power of a positive attitude, Greene firmly demonstrates that it's never too late for anyone to look and feel their best. Timely, accessible and compelling guidance from a veteran health-and-wellness guru." (Kirkus)

"Oprah's bestselling diet and fitness guru offers a four-part, science-based, antiaging plan for looking and feeling younger and healthier... Greene's lists of dos and don'ts help readers assess their current health status and grasp what changes to make in order to move forward." (Publishers Weekly)

Read more: 20 Years Younger: Look Younger, Feel Younger, Be Younger!...

Christina Aguilera, Before and After Weight

With the recent premiere of NBC's The Voice, one cannot help but notice that Christina Aguilera has put on weight. Just one year ago she was in excellent shape, during the filming of Burlesque, in which she starred with Cher. Christina's weight gain first became noticeable around the time of the film's premiere last Fall. One thing's for sure, her fuller figure hasn't taken away her confidence... she has a great attitude on The Voice.

Once again, even a celebrity can struggle with their weight.


--- January 2012 Update ---

Christina Aguilera Addresses Her Weight:

"I've been in this for a long time. I came out on the scene when I was 17 years old. You can never be too much of anything. You can never be too prefect, too thin, too curvy, too voluptuous, this, that. I've been on all sides of the spectrum.. [Every] female in this business at one time or another has had criticism… I'm very confident in my body. I think my video works over the years have spoken to that… I've been no stranger to being very comfortable in my own skin… As long as I'm happy in my own skin, that's all I need, that's all the confirmation I need. I'm happy where I am, I have a boyfriend that loves my body, I love my body, my son is healthy and happy. That's all that matters."

Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine of NBC's The Voice - 2012

The Dukan Diet: 2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever

# 1 international bestselling diet book coming to North America

Devised by Dr. Pierre Dukan, a French medical doctor who has spent his career helping people to lose weight, the Dukan Diet rejects counting calories and promises permanent weight loss while allowing adherents to eat as much as they like.

Originally published in 2000, the Dukan Diet swept across France, championed by people who successfully lost weight following its unique four phase regime. The Dukan Diet has helped millions in France, where it has been number one for more than ten years and adopted in twenty countries, including the United Kingdom, Poland, Korea and Brazil. All together, The Dukan Diet has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide.

The Diet: 4 Easy Steps to Permanent Weight Loss
 
Phase one: Attack
Using Dr. Dukan's True Weight calculator, dieters determine a reasonable and healthy weight loss goal. Then they begin the Dukan Attack phase a two-to-seven-day period during which only unlimited lean protein and a daily Oat bran galette (or pancake) are consumed and dramatic weight loss is achieved.

Phase Two: Cruise
Dieters alternate days of unlimited lean protein with days of protein combined with healthful vegetables until they reach their True Weight.

Phase Three: Consolidation
Dieters stay on this phase for 5 days for every pound lost. At this point the diet allows unlimited protein and vegetables, and other foods (such as cheese and bread) are reintroduced.  Dieters are also allowed two weekly celebration meals to stave off boredom.

Phase Four: Stabilization
This is the maintenance portion of the plan, in which followers are allowed to eat whatever they like without regaining weight – provided that they follow 3 unbreakable rules including eating only unlimited lean protein one set day per week. 

For each phase, The Dukan Diet offers clear simple guidelines for long term success.  The Dukan Diet is the perfect diet for people who want fast weight loss, that can be maintained without counting calories or weighing portions.

Read more: The Dukan Diet: 2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever...

Kate Middleton Before & After the Royal Wedding

Kate Middleton's 'skinny secret' is out, and it's sweeping the nation! What's her secret? Why it's the Dukan Diet. She is said to have used this diet in order to lose weight for her wedding to Prince William on Friday, April 30, 2011.

While it's obvious that she did indeed lose weight on this diet, she definitely did not need to... fortunately she did not over do it, and looked quite stunning for the royal wedding! Here are a few before & after photos of the royal bride.

(Kate Middleton before)

(Kate Middleton before)

(Kate Middleton after)

(Kate Middleton after / Pippa Middleton)

(Kate Middleton after / Pippa Middleton)

How much weight did Kate Middleton lose on the Dukan Diet? At 5-ft. 10-in., the Princess bride has reportedly gone from a U.K. size 10 (size 6 in the U.S.) to a U.K. size 6 (size 2 in the U.S.).

Pippa Middleton, Kate's sister, also looked amazing at the wedding... the Middleton sisters looked very healthy, happy, and stylish.

(Pippa Middleton)

(Prince William and Kate Middleton - Royal Wedding Photo)

(Kate Middleton after in her second wedding dress)

Kate Middleton is formally known to us now as, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge... wow, what a beautiful bride she made. :)

Read more about: The Dukan Diet: 2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever...