Fast Way to Lose a Lot of Weight

Although there are many products on the market that promise fast or instant weight loss, losing weight and keeping it off takes time, commitment and discipline. There are some tricks of the trade, however, that will help you lose weight in a short amount of time, whether it's for an upcoming wedding, reunion or special event.

Drink Up

• Drinking a lot of water is the best way to get rid of water weight.

  Water retention can account for as many as 10 lbs. of your weight, so if you want to lose weight quickly, you need to de-puff. Water retention is caused by a number of factors, including poor diet, excessive sodium intake and failure to exercise. Drinking water, at least eight cups per day, and consuming foods with a high water content, such as watermelon and cucumbers, will reduce water retention weight dramatically.

Cut Out Sugar

• Cutting refined sugars from your diet will shock your system, decrease the number of calories you consume and help you lose weight fast.

  If you're used to a diet filled with refined sugars, cutting them will shock your system, automatically decreasing the number of calories you consume on a given day, which will result in quick weight loss. Avoid any refined sugars, such as table sugars and high fructose corn syrups, and instead consume natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables.

Cut Down Salt

• Salt plays a greater role in weight gain and loss than you may think. Eating less of it will help you instantly lose water weight.

  Excessive amounts of sodium cause the body to store fluids, making it appear puffier than it actually is. To shed weight quickly, dramatically reduce the amount of salt in your diet and aim to get the recommended daily amount of 180 mg.