How do I lose 5 pounds in 7 days?

[merithyn]

Next week, I'm scheduled to have a new job physical. This physical will set my health insurance rates, so it's kind of a big one for me. The problem is that I am five pounds too heavy to qualify for the better rates. It doesn't matter that I'm a fairly solid girl, or that my body fat isn't as high as my weight would have you believe. What matters is that on the BMI scale, I am obese.

Because they only allow you to update these numbers once every six months, if I do not lose five pounds by next Thursday, I will be stuck paying a 10% "penalty" for six months. I'm infuriated by this, but it's company policy, so there's not a damn thing I can do about it. Funnily enough, I work for a health insurance company. *rolls eyes*

So how do I do this and not derail my entire diet/exercise plan? Or worse, make myself sick? Am I going to have to cut my calories drastically for the next week to make this happen? And what affect will that have on me once I go back to eating normally?

[Barrister]

How much money are you talking about over six months?

I think there are ways to lose 5 pounds, but they aren't terribly healthy ways, and all involve losing water, not fat.

[Grey Fox]

Don't drink anything ~12 hours prior to the physical.

[merithyn]

I don't particularly care if it's fat or water or my left leg. I just don't want to get socked with an extra $60 - $100 in "penalties" because of this.

[Eddie Teach]

Walk on the treadmill for 6 hours a day?

I lost more than that last week, but since you don't want to be sick the whole "lie in bed all day while eating nothing" routine probably won't cut it.

[Monoriu]

Pretty sure you can do it.  It is just a matter of eating barely enough to survive 

[Barrister]

I don't particularly care if it's fat or water or my left leg. I just don't want to get socked with an extra $60 - $100 in "penalties" because of this.

Google how boxers and other athletes "make weight" before a big fight.  They can lose 5 pounds or more or water.

None of it sounds real pleasant though.  I question whetehr it would be worth it for $60 to $100.

[merithyn]

None of it sounds real pleasant though.  I question whetehr it would be worth it for $60 to $100.

On your income, it isn't. On mine, it is.

[Valdemar]

My son needed to lose a few hundred grams before a tournament, his stupid trainer told him to go running with a cut open plasticbag on his upper body half an hour before weigh in

It probably works, but i got pissed he told THAT to a ten year old

V

[Iormlund]

Unless you have existing issues you are not very likely to make yourself sick for just a week or so of very reduced caloric intake. I've fasted for longer periods without trouble (only IV saline for hydration).

[Barrister]

Unless you have existing issues you are not very likely to make yourself sick for just a week or so of very reduced caloric intake. I've fasted for longer periods without trouble (only IV saline for hydration).

It's not calories though she needs to reduce - it's water.

[garbon]

Let's survey the web:

health.com - menu plan to lose 5 pounds in 7 days

http://www.health.com/health/static/downloads/drop-five.pdf

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/advice/health/drop-5-pounds-in-a-week-0509-4

Drink Mainly Water
Ban White Bread and Pasta
Do Cardio 30 Minutes a Day
Drink Coffee an Hour Before Working Out
Have Nightly You-on-Top Sex
Do 36 Push-Ups and Lunges Every Other Day
Sleep 30 Minutes More a Night
Make One Food Sacrifice

http://www.livestrong.com/article/43821-lose-pounds-days/

To lose 5 pounds in 7 days requires focusing on creating a caloric deficit, known as a negative energy balance. A negative energy balance means that the body is burning more calories than it is consuming or storing. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose a single pound. In this case, a total caloric deficit of 24,500 calories must be achieved, which means an average reduction of 3,500 calories per day. Sound nutritional habits combined with increased physical activity makes this achievement possible.

Step 1
Create a calorie deficit by reducing fat in your diet. Limit red meat consumption to no more than three times per week. Trim all visible fat from meat, chicken and fish. Skinless chicken or turkey white meat are healthier options. Avoid frying foods to minimize intake of saturated and trans fats. Eliminate processed lunch meats such as bologna and salami due to their high fat content. Monitor and minimize the amount of oil, butter, margarine and sour cream you add to your food.

Step 2
Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Avoid overindulging. Five to six smaller meals every two-and-a-half or three hours will maintain an accelerated metabolism. Have protein with every meal, as protein enhances metabolic processes. Avoid eating starches after 3 p.m. Many people consume the majority of their calories after 7 p.m. Eat like a king for breakfast and like a prince for dinner. Increase water intake to approximately 1/2 gallon per day.

Step 3
Increase physical activity to speed up achieving a negative energy balance. Exercise can contribute to the reduction of 500 calories per day. Perform cardiovascular exercise on most days of the week for 30 to 60 minutes. Maintain intensity levels between 50 to 75 percent of maximum output. Vary workouts by incorporating interval training, bouts of high-intensity intervals followed by periods of rest. Weight train two to three times per week on nonconsecutive days. Trained muscles can utilize fat as a source of energy in resistance training. Use weights that are heavy enough to present a challenge to the working muscles. This will increase muscle hypertrophy, or growth. The more lean muscle you have, the more fat and calories you burn.

http://www.fatsecret.com/Community.aspx?pa=fp&t=66402

I lost 3 bls in 2 days by only eating fruits and veggies end up gaining back all and more the 4th and 5th day .... eat between 1000-1500 calories, exercise more, drink water you might not lose 5bls but you'll look toner giving the illusion of weight loss..... I usually look very miserable and swollen when I try to lose weight fast and the unhealthy way so I don't recommend it. Good luck.

http://blessedmommy.hubpages.com/hub/Lose-Up-To-10-Pounds-In-3-Days-On-The-3-Day-Diet

3 DAY DIET

DAY 1: BREAKFAST--1/2 GRAPEFRUIT, 1 SLICE TOAST,
2 TBS. PEANUT BUTTER, COFFEE OR TEA
LUNCH--1/2 CUP TUNA, 1 SLICE TOAST, COFFEE OR TEA
DINNER--2 SLICES ANY TYPE OF MEAT (ABOUT 3
OZ), 1 CUP GREEN BEANS, 1/2 BANANA, 1 SMALL
APPLE, 1 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM

DAY 2: BREAKFAST--1 EGG, 1 SLICE TOAST, 1/2 BANANA
LUNCH--1 CUP COTTAGE CHEESE (OR 1 SLICE
CHEDDAR CHEESE), 1 HARD BOILED EGG, 5
SALTINE CRACKERS
DINNER--2 HOT DOGS, (no buns), 1 CUP BROCCOLI,
1/2 CUP CARROTS, 1/2 BANANA, 1/2 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM

DAY 3: BREAKFAST--5 SALTINE CRACKERS, 1 SLICE CHEDDAR
CHEESE, 1 SMALL APPLE
LUNCH--1 HARD BOILED EGG, 1 SLICE TOAST
DINNER--1 CUP TUNA, 1/2 BANANA, 1 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM

[HVC]

Max approves of the cosmo recommendations.

As for quick weight loss, diuretics and reduced food intake. Laxitives too if you want to go the model route. 

[merithyn]

Thanks, garbon. Can't do the diet, but the other suggestions are useful.

[Iormlund]

Unless you have existing issues you are not very likely to make yourself sick for just a week or so of very reduced caloric intake. I've fasted for longer periods without trouble (only IV saline for hydration).

It's not calories though she needs to reduce - it's water.

It's not one thing or the other. Exercise and a proper diet help with both.