How to Lose 20 Pounds by Summer in 5 Simple Steps

Are you hoping to shape up for summer? Memorial Day weekend is less than two months away, but there is still time to achieve your body goals if you get started now. Ruth Soukup is a midlife health and mindset coach who lost almost 50 pounds. In a new social media post, she reveals a simple 5-step plan for getting in shape before summer. "If I wanted to lose 20 pounds before summer—and actually feel confident again—Here are the exact 5 steps I'd take today," she writes.
Start with Your Diet
"Let's be honest—there's nothing worse than dreading warm weather because you don't feel good in your body. You're tired of squeezing into jeans that used to fit. Tired of hiding in cover-ups or avoiding photos altogether. Tired of doing 'all the things' and still not seeing results," she writes, going on to reveal the steps
Step One: Cut Out Sugar and Processed Carbs
Her first step? "Cut out ALL sugar + processed carbs," she writes. "Not 'just a little.' Not 'only on weekends.' Your hormones need a hard reset—this is how you get it."
Step Two: Add Healthy Fats
Her second step? "Add hormone-loving healthy fats," she writes. "Avocados, olive oil, animal fat, full-fat dairy—these aren't the enemy. They're the key to flipping your body into fat-burning mode."
Step Three: Prioritize Protein
Her next step is to "prioritize protein," she says, "especially red meat." Why? "Meat is healing. It's the most nutrient-dense, hormone-balancing food there is," she says.
Step Four: Put Down the Bottle
Next, she says to avoid drinking your calories. "Skip the alcohol (for now)," she says. "If you want results fast, this one matters more than you think," she says. Not only do alcohol calories add up fast, but when you drink you are more likely to eat unhealthy food.
Step Five: Track Macros
Her fifth step? "Track your macros—not your calories. Calorie counting is outdated. What matters is your balance of protein, fat, and carbs—and getting it right," she says.
Conclusion
"This is exactly what I teach in Phase One of the Thin Adapted System. And on average, women in TAS lose 15–20 pounds in the first 6–8 weeks. Not through willpower. Not by starving. But by actually healing their bodies—hormones, metabolism, energy, and all," she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.