When I hear people ask me, "How can I lose 10 pounds in a week?" I often have to burst their bubble and tell them - it's not possible - at least to do so in a healthy way. My next thought is always, "What's the rush?" Why are people in such a rush to take off the pounds? Whatever happened to 1 to 2 pounds a week weight loss? That's a much more attainable and healthier goal. We've become a society of instant gratification. So of course you will at some point in your lifetime hear someone ask, "How can I lose 10 pounds in a week?" All you can do is gently let them down and say, "You can't." But you can give them some suggestions on how to lose weight quickly.

Up Your Vegetable Intake

The quickest way to lose weight healthfully is to have a complete balance of the right carbohydrates, protein and fruit. The carbohydrates I'm referring to are vegetables. Leafy green vegetables as the foundation of a salad should always be eaten. Build from there. For instance, I'd put 2 cups of baby raw spinach as the base of my salad. From there, I'd put ¼ cup cucumbers, 5 cherry tomatoes, a slice of red onion and 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of Ranch dressing.

Don't Be Fat Phobic

So many people are afraid of eating fat. In actuality, fat is what makes you lose weight - when you don't combine it with refined carbohydrates like bread, rice, and pasta. Your body needs a certain amount of fat to feel satiated.

Eat Lean Protein

Eat 4 to 6 oz of protein at each meal with your salad. 4 oz of protein is the equivalent of a stack of cards. Protein keeps you full and doesn't cause sugar spikes in your blood.

Limit or Eliminate Your Carb Intake

White rice, white bread, and pasta, all have no nutritional value. They turn to sugar in your body, spike your blood sugar, and before you know it, you're wondering why you want to eat a whole box of chocolate cake or a whole pizza pie. Cutting out carbs of these types alone can make you lose 3 pounds in just one week.

Limit Your Sugar Intake

Sugar makes you gain weight quickly. It's a quick pick me up, but a horrible come down. Once you come down from your sugar high, you need more energy to pick you back up, so you look for more sugar, whether it be in liquid form or in a brownie form. Staying away from sugar will help you lose a good 3 pounds a week.

Drink Ten 8 oz Glasses of Water

Water flushes out toxins and fat out of your system. Water also serves to help you reduce hunger pangs, which makes you want to eat less food. Before you eat your meal, drink one tall glass of water. By doing so, you'll eat less food. Water makes you lose weight faster because you're flushing your system of sodium.

Of course, you need to have some salt in your system. But if you stick with drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, you will feel less bloated, and actually lose a good amount of weight in a week. So the next time someone asks, "How can I lose 10 pounds in a week?" tell them it's not possible to do so in a healthy way, but suggest other alternatives like a low carb food plan.