How to Achieve Fast Weight Loss

When we decide to diet, there is often a reason for it besides the fact that we have realized we need to lose weight.  Maybe there is a class reunion coming up, or a wedding, or it's getting close to swimsuit season.  Whatever the reason, we are in a hurry to get the pounds off by a certain time so we look for fast weight loss options.  A high-protein diet is not necessarily a healthy way to live for life, but it's hard to beat it for fast weight loss.

The Atkins diet has been the topic of a lot of argument, both pro and con, but one thing is for sure:  at least for short term weight loss, it really does work.  Not only does it work, but it works faster than most other diets.

The object of the Atkins diet is to trigger a reaction in the body that is known as ketosis, which is a state where the body burns fat rather than using the sugar in the bloodstream to feed the cells.  This goal is accomplished by depriving the body of sugar so that it has no choice but to burn fat for fuel.

Since all carbohydrates are converted to glucose, a form of sugar, in the body, the Atkins diet requires cutting way back on carbs.  In fact, in the first two weeks of the Atkins diet, participants are restricted to no more than 20 grams of net carbohydrates per day, of which at least 12 grams must come from vegetables.

According to the official Atkins website, it is possible to lose up to fifteen pounds in the first two weeks on the Atkins diet.  This makes Atkins a great choice for fast weight loss, especially if your event is just a couple of weeks away.

The South Beach diet is an alternative to Atkins for those who feel too restricted by the carbohydrate limits.  Although the South Beach diet is also a low-carb diet, there is a list of "free" foods that you can eat in unlimited amounts.  For example, you can eat as many dill pickles as you want.  The list of free foods is long enough that you should be able to avoid hunger while on the South Beach diet if you stock up on them before starting the diet.  There is no guarantee, however, that you won't get sick of dill pickles.