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This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

This Man Lost 100 Pounds With 10 Realistic Changes Anyone Can Make

One weight loss warrior reveals his hacks.

Jackson Desjardins
Jackson Desjardins/Instagram

Have you been trying to lose weight for years but can’t seem to make it stick? Jackson Desjardins is a fitness enthusiast whose goal is to help his followers to "build their Super Selves." In a new YouTube video, he discusses how he finally lost 100 pounds after struggling for years. “I'm just a normal guy who figured out exactly how to make this happen after years and years of failure,” he says.


First, Look at Your Diet

“The first thing I want to talk about as far as how I did it is going to be diet,” he says in the post. “When it comes down to diet, the only numerical term I want to mention is being in a calorie deficit. You've got a point where you're going to maintain, you get a point where you're going to put on weight, and you're going to lose weight if you're under that maintenance level. It's that simple. I'm not going to go into any other numbers. I'm not going to talk about macros. We're trying to keep it realistic and tangible here.”

Just Stay in a Deficit But Eat Things You Like

“You’ve got to be in a deficit. It's that simple. So, be it large or small, you're going to be taking off weight, but it just might be faster or slower. If you do an aggressive deficit, you're going to lose fat a bit quicker. Granted, it's more difficult. You have to be able to sustain it. Remember that you're not going to be able to stick to something that you're not able to sustain. So you got to eat what you enjoy. I ate what I liked the entire time I was losing weight. When I was chronically dieting, I was eating things that I didn't like and that was a lot of the reason why I would binge. So I had to learn quickly that you've got to eat what you enjoy, eat it in moderation, and eat it intuitively,” he says.

RELATED: I’m a Fat Loss Coach and Here Are 8 Non-Negotiables for Losing Weight Over 40

Don’t Use the Term Cheat Meals

“When we talk about cheat days and cheat meals, that's just a socially acceptable way of saying binging. I'm not going to support that. You shouldn't need cheat meals. If your friends are having pizza, have a slice of pizza. I mean, it's okay. It's okay to have pizza, it's okay to have cookies, have a bite of a damn cookie. Like it's okay. But you've got to remember your lifestyle, and you've got to go right back to what you're doing.”

He Started by Doing Cardio

“The next point I will touch on is going to be exercise. So, for me, almost all of my exercise consisted of cardio. I was just so focused on weight loss that I didn't really care about weightlifting for me and for a lot of other people. I think focusing on one goal at a time is extremely powerful. So, to this day, have I gotten back into weightlifting since then? Absolutely. But during that time, I was strictly doing cardio and circuit training, and I was focused on keeping reps high if I was weightlifting. And I was mainly focusing on cardio,” he says.

Find Cardio You Love

“The thing about cardio is you've gotta make sure that you are doing a cardio source that you enjoy. I love swimming and StairMaster, so I had to make sure that I was doing one of those things. I hate running, so I'm not going to run. I don't like a lot of other cardio sources, but that's okay.”

RELATED: Doctor Warns You to Stop Following These 10 Weight Loss Myths Right No

Find Your Why

“I want to touch on the points that differentiated this successful weight loss transformation versus all of the past four or five years that I've been trying to lose weight, but I've only been unsuccessful,” he says. “Point number one is, what is your why? It seems really simple, but it's so drastically important that you establish what's pulling you to want to lose weight. Why do you want to do it? Once you can establish why you're doing what you're doing, and if that's important enough to you and you've got to find something that is that important to you, you will always be willing to get up at 5:30 or do whatever it takes in order to achieve what you want. Because once you establish your why, you've got a reason, baby.”

Set Small Goals

“Point number two is going to be to set small goals,” he says. “This is so drastically important because setting small goals is what keeps you focused. In many ways, it was established with my why.”

Trust the Process

“Point number three is going to be, trust the process,” he continues. “Once you develop exactly what you want to be eating in your exercise routine and making sure that it's all tangible and realistic, then it's, it's just a matter of making sure you're in a deficit and making sure that you're doing everything right and that just trusting that process will work is so huge because how are you going to stick to something that you're not totally sure is going to work? You've gotta trust the process here.”

Understand It’s Not a Diet, But a Lifestyle Change

“The fourth point I wanna make is that this is not a diet, but it's a lifestyle change,” he says. “It's not a short-term effect. This is going to be a long-term effect. We're talking about habitual long-term effects here. We're trying to build new great habits, and you've got to enjoy yourself. You've got to make sure it's something that you can enjoy. So you can make it a habit. You've got to do cardio sources that you don't mind that you like to do. You've got to eat the foods that you enjoy, and that are healthy but that you like. This is drastically important.”

RELATED:8 Tips to Make Losing Weight Feel Effortless, From Proven Experts

You Can’t Think in Black-and-White

“The fifth point I want to make is going to be no black-and-white thinking. Black-and-white thinking is the killer of hopes and dreams in a lot of ways because you're either all in or you're all out. And let me tell you something: this is not perfection. You should not seek perfection with this plan. There's no such thing when it comes to most things in life. But when it comes to a fitness plan, you can't be seeking perfection here. You just can't. So you've got to make sure that you're doing what you enjoy. That's why this is going to be sustainable. You've got to make yourself able to have breaks.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

More For You

Tameika Gentles tameikag
Copyright tameikag/Instagram

Do you want to lose weight, one step at a time? Tameika Gentles is a fitness coach and weight loss warrior who dropped a whopping 100 pounds sustainably. She recently offered a “JUICY step-by-step breakdown of how to lose 50 lbs and keep the weight off for good,” she writes. “If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to drop weight effortlessly while you feel like you’ve been riding the struggle bus for years, let me tell you the truth. It’s not effortless, but their secret lies in their daily habits. And I know this first hand because I’ve lost 100 lbs and have kept the weight off for 18 years! So, here’s step-by-step what you need to do.”

Step 1: First 10 lbs

“Walk 8-10K steps a day. That’s it. This month, all you’re doing is moving more. Start small—pace while on calls, park farther away, get a walking pad, or go for a quick evening walk. No excuses,” she writes.

Step 2: Next 10 lbs

“Hydrate and nourish,” is step two. “Drink 2L of water daily. Add 1 cup of veggies to your meals. Aim for 100g of protein a day. Focus on adding healthy habits, not cutting things out. Keep walking 8-10K steps.”

Step 3: Next 10 lbs

Step three? “Hit the weights,” she says. “Strength train 3x a week to supercharge your results. Building muscle speeds up your metabolism and reshapes your body. Start light, focus on form, and keep it consistent.”

Step 4: 40 lbs Down

“Progressive overload is your new bestie,” is step four. “Gradually increase the weight you lift or extend your sessions slightly each week. This keeps your body challenged and growing stronger without risking injury.”

Step 5: Last 10 lbs

“Create a slight calorie deficit,” is the fifth step. “Not by cutting out foods, but by being mindful: Watch your portions for oils, dressings, and sauces. Cut back on mindless snacking.”

You Don’t Need to Fast

In another post, she reveals five mistakes she made that prevented her from losing weight, starting with fasting. “Fasting can work for some, but it’s not a must for results. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later, slows your metabolism, and can mess with your hormones. Sustainable weight loss is about finding balance, not extremes,” she writes.

She Also Recommends Staying Away From Low Carb Diets

She also recommends staying off low-carb diets. “Cutting carbs might lead to quick results, but is it realistic for life? Carbs fuel your body and mind—they’re not the enemy. You don’t need to cut out entire food groups to see progress,” she says.

Don’t Be Obsessive with Exercise

The third thing you don’t need to do? Excessive exercise. “More isn’t always better. It’s about consistency. 30 minutes of daily movement for a year beats an intense 3-week overhaul that leads to burnout and months of inactivity,” she writes.

No Detoxes

Also, stay away from detoxes. “Save your money. Your liver and kidneys are built-in detox powerhouses. Most detoxes are unnecessary (and some are even harmful). Focus on real, nourishing food instead,” she says.

Don’t Take Weight Loss Pills/Supplements

Finally, weight loss pills and supplements are also not needed. “They’re often unregulated, unsustainable, and don’t address the behaviors that lead to lasting change. I lost 100 lbs without them, and my clients succeed without them, too. You don’t need them,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary
Coach Dropped 100 Pounds After She Stopped Believing These 5 Lies
Copyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

Are you struggling to lose weight? You might need to make some lifestyle shifts, says one weight loss warrior-slash-expert. Hilary Carver is a fat loss coach who lost 100 pounds naturally and helps her clients do the same. In a new post, she reveals a few key things she learned on her journey that can help you lose weight as well. “I lost 100 pounds naturally. Here’s what I learned,” she writes.

She Started Taking Action

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​Lie Number FiveCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

“A decade ago, I stood exactly where you are. I felt stuck in my body. Tired. Frustrated. Overwhelmed by the thought of starting again because, honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could follow through this time. But something shifted. I realized that if I wanted my life to change, I had to stop waiting for the ‘perfect time’ and start taking imperfect action,” she says.

She Lost 100 Pounds with No Crash Diets or Quick Fixes

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​Lie Number FourCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

“Over the next few years, I lost 100 pounds naturally. No crash diets. No quick fixes. I followed the exact framework I teach my clients—and it didn’t just transform my body... it changed my life. Here are the MOST important lessons I learned along the way,” she continued.

You Can’t Outwork a Bad Diet

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​Overcoming These 5 Lies Helped Her Lose 100 PoundsCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

First, she learned that you can’t outwork a bad diet. “For years, I thought I could exercise my way to results without addressing what I was eating. Spoiler: It didn’t work. When I finally learned how to make meal prep & planning simple, track my food without obsessing, and eat in a way that didn’t feel restrictive—everything changed,” she writes.

Mindset is the Real Work

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​Lie Number OneCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

Next, she realized that changing her mindset is the hardest part. “I had to face the excuses, the self-sabotage, and the limiting beliefs that kept me stuck. It wasn’t about motivation—it was about choosing to show up for myself, even on the hard days,” she says.

Your Lifestyle Will Make or Break You

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​Lie Number TwoCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

Lifestyle is also important. “The secret to losing 100 pounds wasn’t in doing more. It was in building small, consistent habits that worked with my life—not against it. These small changes stacked up into a BIG transformation,” she says.

Nobody Is Coming to Save You

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​Lie Number ThreeCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

She also learned that “nobody is coming to save you.” “This one stings, but it’s the truth: If you want the transformation, you have to take accountability. You have to stop blaming your circumstances and start owning your choices. The moment I stopped making excuses, I started making progress.”

It’s Worth It

Hilary Carver balancebyhilary​You Can Become the Person You Want to BeCopyright balancebyhilary/Instagram

“This journey isn’t just about losing weight. It’s about gaining confidence, energy, and control over your life. It’s about becoming the version of you who feels proud when she looks in the mirror,” she concludes. “I know how overwhelming it feels to start, but I also know what’s waiting for you on the other side of your excuses—and it is SO worth it.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Jamie Sherman Jglass
Copyright Jglass/Instagram

Do you want to lose weight before summer? Start making small changes now, and you can. Jamie Sherman is a weight loss and nutrition coach who lost weight herself, transforming her body and life. In a few new posts, she reveals exactly how she did it. “You could look and feel like a completely different person in 3 months. Start today. Don't wait until it's summer and you realize you still feel uncomfortable in your body. Here's some of the things I’ve done to lose 12lbs and transform my body and life in a few months.”

Eat More Protein

The first change she suggests making is amping up your protein intake. “You should be eating at least .8g for your body weight in protein. This will help you stay full and satisfied throughout the day,” she writes.

Lift Weights

Her next suggestion is weightlifting. “I promise you won't get bulky from lifting. Strength Training has SO many benefits and one of them is help you lose fat and build muscle to create a lean, strong look. It also helps boost your metabolism,” she writes.

RELATED:30 Best Protein Foods That Melt Fat Almost Instantly

Walk More

Also, you should walk more. “Increase your average daily steps by 2k,” advises Sherman. “If you're current average is 5,000steps/day, try to add a little more every day. Go take that walk after dinner, park your car further at the store, or just get up and walk around at the office. That adds up to 14,000 more steps/week which can make a huge different for fat loss.”

Sleep

Make sure to sleep to allow your body the time it needs to regenerate and recharge. “Aim to get at least 7 hours if you can!” writes Sherman.

Track Your Food

“Track your food,” she continues. “Not forever but so you can know what you're consuming if you're trying to lose fat.”

RELATED:17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

Eat More Nutrients

In another post she added some more habits that helped her lose weight. “I’m now eating A LOT more. I was lacking nutrients and under-eating before. I’m a busy mom of 2 and I found myself skipping meals and just grabbing food when I was starving,” she writes.

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Don’t skip your morning meal. “I eat breakfast every single day. I used to fast until noon sometimes because I didn’t really think about food in the morning. Now I make sure to eat a big breakfast which gives me energy throughout the day and helps kickstart my metabolism,” she says.

Balance Macros

Balancing macros is key. “I went from trying to avoid carbs to now having the right amount of carbs, fat, and protein throughout the day. I eat a lot of carbs now and I’ve never felt better,” she writes.

RELATED:10 Foods to Avoid If You're Trying to Burn Fat, Says Expert

Structure Your Workouts

You should also structure your workouts instead of winging it. “I shifted from taking a lot of random cardio classes to structured strength training,” shes ays.

Shift Your Mindset

And, her two last recommendations? “I shifted my identity and mindset through the process,” she says. “I went from thinking I knew what my body needed to lose weight (eating healthy and consistent work outs) to actually learning exactly what I needed for fat loss to achieve my specific goals.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Jackson Desjardins
Jackson Desjardins/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Have you been trying to lose weight for years but can’t seem to make it stick? Jackson Desjardins is a fitness enthusiast whose goal is to help his followers to "build their Super Selves." In a new YouTube video, he discusses how he finally lost 100 pounds after struggling for years. “I'm just a normal guy who figured out exactly how to make this happen after years and years of failure,” he says.


First, Look at Your Diet

“The first thing I want to talk about as far as how I did it is going to be diet,” he says in the post. “When it comes down to diet, the only numerical term I want to mention is being in a calorie deficit. You've got a point where you're going to maintain, you get a point where you're going to put on weight, and you're going to lose weight if you're under that maintenance level. It's that simple. I'm not going to go into any other numbers. I'm not going to talk about macros. We're trying to keep it realistic and tangible here.”

Just Stay in a Deficit But Eat Things You Like

“You’ve got to be in a deficit. It's that simple. So, be it large or small, you're going to be taking off weight, but it just might be faster or slower. If you do an aggressive deficit, you're going to lose fat a bit quicker. Granted, it's more difficult. You have to be able to sustain it. Remember that you're not going to be able to stick to something that you're not able to sustain. So you got to eat what you enjoy. I ate what I liked the entire time I was losing weight. When I was chronically dieting, I was eating things that I didn't like and that was a lot of the reason why I would binge. So I had to learn quickly that you've got to eat what you enjoy, eat it in moderation, and eat it intuitively,” he says.

RELATED: I’m a Fat Loss Coach and Here Are 8 Non-Negotiables for Losing Weight Over 40

Don’t Use the Term Cheat Meals

“When we talk about cheat days and cheat meals, that's just a socially acceptable way of saying binging. I'm not going to support that. You shouldn't need cheat meals. If your friends are having pizza, have a slice of pizza. I mean, it's okay. It's okay to have pizza, it's okay to have cookies, have a bite of a damn cookie. Like it's okay. But you've got to remember your lifestyle, and you've got to go right back to what you're doing.”

He Started by Doing Cardio

“The next point I will touch on is going to be exercise. So, for me, almost all of my exercise consisted of cardio. I was just so focused on weight loss that I didn't really care about weightlifting for me and for a lot of other people. I think focusing on one goal at a time is extremely powerful. So, to this day, have I gotten back into weightlifting since then? Absolutely. But during that time, I was strictly doing cardio and circuit training, and I was focused on keeping reps high if I was weightlifting. And I was mainly focusing on cardio,” he says.

Find Cardio You Love

“The thing about cardio is you've gotta make sure that you are doing a cardio source that you enjoy. I love swimming and StairMaster, so I had to make sure that I was doing one of those things. I hate running, so I'm not going to run. I don't like a lot of other cardio sources, but that's okay.”

RELATED: Doctor Warns You to Stop Following These 10 Weight Loss Myths Right No

Find Your Why

“I want to touch on the points that differentiated this successful weight loss transformation versus all of the past four or five years that I've been trying to lose weight, but I've only been unsuccessful,” he says. “Point number one is, what is your why? It seems really simple, but it's so drastically important that you establish what's pulling you to want to lose weight. Why do you want to do it? Once you can establish why you're doing what you're doing, and if that's important enough to you and you've got to find something that is that important to you, you will always be willing to get up at 5:30 or do whatever it takes in order to achieve what you want. Because once you establish your why, you've got a reason, baby.”

Set Small Goals

“Point number two is going to be to set small goals,” he says. “This is so drastically important because setting small goals is what keeps you focused. In many ways, it was established with my why.”

Trust the Process

“Point number three is going to be, trust the process,” he continues. “Once you develop exactly what you want to be eating in your exercise routine and making sure that it's all tangible and realistic, then it's, it's just a matter of making sure you're in a deficit and making sure that you're doing everything right and that just trusting that process will work is so huge because how are you going to stick to something that you're not totally sure is going to work? You've gotta trust the process here.”

Understand It’s Not a Diet, But a Lifestyle Change

“The fourth point I wanna make is that this is not a diet, but it's a lifestyle change,” he says. “It's not a short-term effect. This is going to be a long-term effect. We're talking about habitual long-term effects here. We're trying to build new great habits, and you've got to enjoy yourself. You've got to make sure it's something that you can enjoy. So you can make it a habit. You've got to do cardio sources that you don't mind that you like to do. You've got to eat the foods that you enjoy, and that are healthy but that you like. This is drastically important.”

RELATED:8 Tips to Make Losing Weight Feel Effortless, From Proven Experts

You Can’t Think in Black-and-White

“The fifth point I want to make is going to be no black-and-white thinking. Black-and-white thinking is the killer of hopes and dreams in a lot of ways because you're either all in or you're all out. And let me tell you something: this is not perfection. You should not seek perfection with this plan. There's no such thing when it comes to most things in life. But when it comes to a fitness plan, you can't be seeking perfection here. You just can't. So you've got to make sure that you're doing what you enjoy. That's why this is going to be sustainable. You've got to make yourself able to have breaks.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to lose 30 pounds in two weeks? While it might seem impossible, one YouTuber claims it isn’t. Steve Cha of Rockstar Eater, a YouTube channel focusing on his love of food, shared a recent video about how rapidly he lost weight to the tune of a pound every two days. He claims it all boils down to following three simple steps.


He Gained 10 to 12 Pounds After Starting His YouTube Channel

Steve from Rockstar Eater explains that he gained “about 10 to 12 pounds” after starting his YouTube channel from “eating a lot of food” and that “it did take some toll” on his body. He topped the scales at 170, admitting that his blood pressure and cholesterol both went up.

He Gave Himself 30 Days to Lose 15 Pounds

Man tying jogging shoesShutterstock

“So I decided that I'm going to take some steps in order to try to take care of my health for the next few weeks. So in this video, I'm gonna be documenting my journey on losing basically 10 to 15 pounds,” he says, giving himself a time frame of 30 days.

His Plan Starts with Exercise

Man walking on sunlit trail in autumn forest enjoying peaceful walk in natureShutterstock

Steve’s plan was to start with exercise. “What I'm gonna do is basically every day do a lot of walking, cardio, jogging in order to sweat, burn some calories,” he says.

It Also Involves Changing His Diet

“And I'm also gonna, of course, alter my diet. That's the most important thing because it's no use for me to go out and do all of this exercising but then come home and snack on all this junk food,” he says. “Of course, I'm not gonna go the drastic route of starving myself, you know, like what some people do. That's actually not healthy at all.”

Protein with Salads or Veggies

Salmon,Served,With,Mix,Salad,Veggies,VegetablesShutterstock

What will he be eating for the next few weeks while he’s trying to lose weight? “Definitely low-fat foods,” he says. He might make a big salad and some salmon but only have a third of it, then “probably the other third for dinner. And then for dinner, I can change it up by eating, for example, fish, some cucumber and some baby broccoli, which is really good. I highly recommend this.” He will also eat an apple.

No Fried Food

French fries in hot fat in a deep fryerShutterstock

“So something like this is what I would be eating every day with just some variations, but definitely staying away from all the fried stuff, all the beef, you know, high cholesterol stuff, definitely no ice cream,” he adds.

10,000 Steps Per Day

Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Feb 20, 2022. A Person with an Apple Watch Series 7 with a pedometer app on the screen and with a daily ten thousand steps.Shutterstock

Steve’s goal is to try to hit about 10,000 steps a day. “On a busy day, I'd probably be walking for about one hour, kind of like a walk-jog. But then, if I have one of those days where it's not that busy, who knows, I might even go for half a day, like three to four hours of walking. But remember, drink plenty of water when you're out here, especially during the summertime,” he says.

Week One He Lost 3 Pounds

Check your body shape with white weight scales, top view.Shutterstock

“So it's been about a week now, and it looks like I've been able to lose about three pounds in the course of six to seven days. So far off to a good start,” Steve says. “I mean, I'm already feeling it. My body feels a little lighter, and I can get into my pants without feeling so very tight.”

Week Two He Lost Two-and-Half-Pounds

my goals - setting goals concept - blank flowchart sketched on a cocktail napkin with a cup of coffeeShutterstock

This week I was able to drop about two to two and a half pounds, and I do feel better. Everything feels good all around,” Steve says. If “you're losing weight over time, it gets more difficult and difficult to drop the same amount of weight every single week.”

He Did Cheat

Rolled,Oats,,Healthy,Breakfast,Cereal,Oat,Flakes,In,Bowl,food, oatmealShutterstock

Steve admits that he “did have some cheat days here and there, but for the most part, still sticking to vegetables, fruits, and cereal, oats, you know, all that healthy stuff, and I don't overeat. That's the key. And you gotta also do a lot of exercise.”

30 Day Mark: 15 Pounds

The man who measures a waist with a tape measureShutterstock

“Moment of truth after 30 days of hard work. Let's see what the final result is.

As many of you guys probably know, that was not an easy task to all of a sudden go onto such a strict diet exercising plan. So yes, it looks like I lost about 14 to 15 pounds in the span of 30 days, which is not easy to do, but it is doable though.”

Step 1: Diet

Fruit,Market,Fresh,Fruits,Vegetables,market,farmers,farm,Shutterstock

He then details each step he followed. “Number one, I changed my diet plan,” he reiterates, “eating stuff with less sugar, less sodium, less carbs in it, sticking mainly to fruits and vegetables and oats and wheat. I mean, once in a while, I had my cheat day here and there to eat something heavier, but that's pretty much what I've been sticking to.”

Step 2: Hydrating

Glasses,Of,Water,On,A,Wooden,Table.,Selective,Focus.,ShallowShutterstock

The second step? Hydration. “ I've been drinking a lot of water, like a lot of water,” he continues. “No more of the sodas and the fruit juices, mostly water during a lot of these days.”

Step 3: Exercising

Woman running outdoors - Young sportive girl jogging at sunset on Brooklyn Bridge, close up on shoesShutterstock

His final step? Exercise, including “a lot of cardio, jogging, some stretches here and there,” he says.

It’s Not Easy, But Gets Easier

Calories counting , diet , food control and weight loss concept. Calorie counter application on smartphone screen at dining table with salad, fruit juice, bread and fresh vegetable. healthy eatingShutterstock

Steve encourages others to stick to a diet. “It's not easy, I'll tell you that, especially in the first few days. It's gonna be very difficult, but then you kind of get used to it over time,” he says.

His Blood Pressure Decreased

Closeup of unrecognizable male patient using modern tonometer at home, panorama with copy space. Cropped of middle-eastern man measuring his blood pressure, making self checkupShutterstock

“But overall, I'm definitely feeling it. It's flatter all around my stomach area and my chest and I feel better health-wise. And I was even able to go to the local grocery store to measure my blood pressure. It actually went down by 15, I think I was at 1 35 before in terms of blood pressure. And then I think it went down to about like one 20 or one 17, which is really good.”

So Did His Body Fat

Happy man jumping for joy on the peak of the mountain, cliff at sunset. Success, winner, happinessShutterstock

His “body fat level has gone down a little bit as well, and I'm assuming that's also cholesterol,” he notes. “So overall, I'm feeling very healthy. So if you guys want to lose some weight and you want to lose it fast, maybe within 30 days, just letting you know that it is possible.”

The NIH Recommends Losing 1 to 2 Pounds Per Week

Lose 10 PoundsShutterstock

Is Steve’s weight loss realistic? According to the National Institutes of Health, no. “Weight loss should be about 1 to 2 pounds per week for a period of 6 months,” they say. That would be a maximum loss of 8 pounds in 30 days.

RELATED: 15 Lazy-Girl Ways to Exercise at Home

Body Network’s Expert Weighs In

tara_collingwood7Tara Collingwood

Body Network’s Resident RDN, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, agrees that starving yourself thin is not a good idea. She notes that rapid weight loss usually leads to weight regain. “Starving and fasting can produce fast weight loss, but it also stresses the body and causes the metabolism to shut down, which in turn can cause rebound weight gain,” she says.

However, sustainable weight loss is possible with the right mindset and approach. "Anything hard takes some discipline, and losing weight is one of the hardest lifestyle habits to modify," says Collingwood. "I coach my clients to think about their motivations for eating to make the changes in their lifestyle that will require them to lose the weight they say they want to lose. With discomfort comes growth and results." she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

💪🔥Body Booster: It's important to have a solid motivation for making tough choices. "When you have a strong reason for making the hard choices, it becomes easier to keep yourself on track," says Collingwood.

Chris Freytag ChrisFreytag
Copyright chrisfreytag/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Not every workout you see on social media is all it’s hyped up to be. However, there are some you should try. Chris Freytag is a fitness and lifestyle coach and the founder of Get Healthy U, a comprehensive fitness hub. In a new social media post, she reveals a fitness trend that lives up to its hype. “The Viral Workout Trend That Actually WORKS,” she writes in the caption. Here is everything you need to know about it.

The 4-2-1 Method

She goes on to reveal the concept of the 4-2-1 method:

  • 4 days of strength training workouts
  • 2 days of cardio
  • 1 day of mobility/ activity recovery.

It Is Effective for Weight Loss and Building Muscle

“This 4-2-1 training method that took off on Tik-Tok has 4 strength training days, 2 days of cardio, and 1 day of mobility or active recovery each week,” she writes. “This 4-2-1 workout plan can be an effective way to lose weight, maintain muscle mass, and improve your overall fitness.”

She Also Endorses This Walking Hack

In another post, she reveals a walking hack to improve your health. “Here’s a game-changer: Walking for 10 minutes after each meal can be more effective than walking for a full hour at another time of day,” she says. “I am a follower of the @gluecosegoddess (Jessie Inchauspé), who says walking after a meal is a crucial practice to help manage blood sugar levels by preventing large spikes and promoting better glucose absorption into your muscle!”

Walk After Every Meal

“If you can just get up and take some steps: 10 minutes after breakfast, lunch and, dinner,” she continues. “That’s only 30 minutes total—but research shows you’ll see more health benefits than from one continuous 60-minute walk!”

There Are Lots of Benefits of Walking After Meals

She explains that fat loss isn’t the only benefit of walking after you eat. “Besides getting in some steps, post-meal walks help stabilize blood sugar levels, boost digestion, and increase energy and metabolism.

Break Walking Into Smaller Chunks to Make It More “Doable”

“So break it down into smaller chunks and walk around the block; hop on your walking pad; march around your house; just move after every meal,” she concludes. She adds that many people will find that this method makes it more “doable.”

Ruth Soukup
​Eat More Protein
Copyright ruthsoukup/Instagram

Do you want to lose weight but aren’t sure what foods to eat and which to avoid? Ruth Soukup is a midlife health and mindset coach who lost almost 50 pounds. She regularly shares her tips and tricks with hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers. “I lost 49 pounds at age 43 without dieting or Ozempic,” she writes. In two posts, she reveals 7 foods she eats “pretty much every day” and 7 she avoids. “I struggled with my weight for YEARS before I finally stopped dieting once and for all, and just focused on balancing my hormones instead. In the process, I lost 49 pounds and have kept it off, without ever counting calories,” she says.

What She Eats: Animal Protein

chicken nest with eggs. A woman's hand takes the eggs from the nest. The hen laid the eggs. farmer collects eggs​EggsShutterstock

Animal protein is the first item on her list. “This usually includes bone broth and farm fresh eggs in the morning, chicken at lunch, and either beef, chicken, pork, or fish at dinnertime,” she says.

Healthy Fat

Delicious fresh cottage cheese in bowl on table, closeup​5. Greek Yogurt/Cottage CheeseShutterstock

She also makes sure to eat healthy fat. “This mostly comes from avocado oil, EVOO, and butter, but also full fat dairy—heavy cream, cream cheese, cheese, sour cream, greek yogurt, and cottage cheese,” she says.

Vegetables

Asparagus. Fresh Asparagus. Pickled Green Asparagus. Bunches of green asparagus in basket, top view- Image13. Asparagus: 20 caloriesShutterstock

She eats lots of veggies, too. “Lots of broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus, bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, and Brussels Sprouts. I don’t eat a ton of salad, unless it’s a good Caesar with homemade dressing, which I make every few weeks,” she says.

Fresh Berries

Freshly picked blueberries in wooden bowl. Juicy and fresh blueberries with green leaves on rustic table. Bilberry on wooden Background. Blueberry antioxidant. Concept for healthy eating and nutritionShutterstock

Fruits are also on her shopping list, especially fresh berries. “Mostly strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries,” she writes.

Fermented Foods

Milk,Kefir,Grains,Spoon, probiotics, health, gut, food, diet​Probiotic Foods: Kefir Greek YogurtShutterstock

“I try to eat at least a little bit of fermented food every day for the probiotics,” she says. “My favorite is kimchi, but I’ll also do fresh sauerkraut or kefir, and I make my own fermented ketchup (scroll down in my feed for the recipe.)”

Starches

Multi,Grain,Sourdough,Bread,With,Flax,Seeds,Cut,On,AShutterstock

Starches are also part of her diet. “I don’t tend to eat a ton of starchy food, but I do love real sourdough bread, and I also sometimes make potatoes or jasmine rice to go with dinner, depending on what we’re having,” she says.

Seasonings

Garlic Cloves and Bulb in vintage wooden bowl.​Prebiotic Foods: GarlicShutterstock

She also invests money in seasoning. “Generally lots of salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder, fresh herbs and hot sauce,” she writes. One of her favorites? The Green Dragon sauce from Trader Joes.

She Doesn’t Eat: Vegetable Oil

Woman,Buying,Cooking,Oil,In,Supermarket,canola,olive,Shutterstock

In another post, she reveals what she eliminated from her diet. “Vegetable oil or any other highly processed seed oils, as well as Crisco and margarine,” she writes. “These are all so toxic and highly inflammatory! I also tend to avoid any processed foods that contain these oils. Instead, I cook with butter, avocado oil, and olive oil.”

Sugar

White granulated sugar and refined sugar cubes close-up in the kitchenSutterstock

She also stays away from sugar. “If I do need to use a sweetener for a recipe, I typically stick to monkfruit or allulose or a blend of those two,” she says.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High,fructose,Corn,Syrup,Or,Hfcs,Food,Shutterstock

High fructose corn syrup is another no-no. “Another highly toxic and inflammatory ingredient I try to avoid that is sadly way too common in so many processed foods,” she writes

Packaged Side Dishes

American creamy macaroni and cheese pasta mac & Cheese

Shutterstock

Ruth also recommends avoiding packaged side dishes, “such as mac and cheese, stuffing, rice pilaf blends, scalloped potatoes, hamburger helper, etc.” These are highly processed foods.

Breakfast Cereal

multicolored cereals in a white bowl on blue backgroundShutterstock

Ruth strongly suggests staying away from breakfast cereal. Most of it is highly processed and contains lots of additives and sugar. If you want to eat cereal, opt for a higher-fiber, lower-sugar option.

Brownie and Cake Mix

Protein Brownie Batter

Brownies and cake mixes are also on her list of things to avoid. If you do enjoy baking, try cooking from scratch using healthier flours and sweeteners, which will result in a less processed and more nutritious product.

Fruit Juice

Close up of teenage woman drinking juice while looking through a window.​5. Fruit JuiceShutterstock

According to Ruth, fruit juice may sound nutritious, but you should stay away. ”Except for Clamato, which we use for Bloody Marys on the weekend! The rest of it is just pure sugar,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Gillian Ferguson the_macro_method
Coach Lost 50 Pounds with the Help of These 5 Sunday Habits
Copyright the_macro_method/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to lose weight while staying full? You may need to amp up your fiber intake. Gillian Ferguson is a social media influencer who lost 55+ lbs on Semaglutide and is now “microdosing Tirzepatide,” she writes in her Instagram bio. In a new post, she reveals some creative ways she increases fiber in her diet. “10 easy ways to sneak fiber into your diet,” she writes in the post.

Why Fiber Is Important

“Want to lose weight + improve your health? Let’s talk about FIBER,” Sine writes, going onto list the benefits of a high-fiber diet:

  • Lowers total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (aka “bad” cholesterol).
  • Improves blood sugar control.
  • Keeps you regular.
  • Supports gut health.
  • Supports weight loss + management.
  • Protects against colorectal cancer.

Add Avocado

The first way she adds fiber into her diet is by eating avocado. “One medium-sized avocado has about 10 grams of fiber,” she says. “I know you know how to add avo 👌 so I’ll stop there.”

Sprinkle on Some Seeds

Next, sprinkle on some seeds. “Try incorporating a tablespoon or two of small seeds, like chia, flax, or hemp, into your day. An ounce of chia seeds, for example, provides 10g of fiber,” she writes. “You can blend into your smoothie or sprinkle on a salad.”

Level Up Your Smoothie

You can also “level up” your smoothie. “It’s so easy to fit a big dose of fiber into a smoothie without even trying! After picking your protein, add fruit and veggies (like spinach, kale, or frozen cauliflower rice) and some fiber rich fats like flax seeds, hemp seeds, nut butters, or avocado,” she writes.

Learn to Love Veggies

Learn to love veggies. “Non-starchy vegetables, like leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower, provide both fiber and volume for little calories. My favorite way to eat veggies right now is in the air fryer,” she says.

Swap Out Your Pastas

Next, switch up your pastas. “It’s in your best interest to choose whole grain and legume-based (chickpea or lentil) pastas most of the time!” she writes. “One serving of Barilla Whole Grain Penne has 7 grams fiber per serving.”

Amy Up Your Oats

“Oats are a nutritional powerhouse rich in beta-glucan—a soluble fiber that functions as a prebiotic fiber that is effective at lowering total and LDL cholesterol,” says Sine, recommending oatmeal and overnight oats.

Berries

She also says to eat berries. “Just one cup of raspberries contains a whopping 8 grams of fiber! I eat every day in my yogurt!”

Switch Up Your Snacks

Switch up your snacks. “Snack time is a good time to up your fiber intake since fiber can help you feel full,” she says. “Popcorn, fruit w nut butter, sliced veggies w hummus or guac, edamame.”

Choose Plant Proteins

Plant proteins are also high in fiber. “Think: beans, chickpeas, lentils, quinoa (and other ‘ancient’/whole grains),” she says.

Pick a Better Brea

You don’t have to omit bread. Just a “pick a better bread,” says Sine. “If you eat bread or a wrap choose one with fiber!!! The wrap I eat my lunch on has 17g fiber!” And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.