If you've read anything about weight loss, you know that it's a long term process that takes time. You've also heard that it's taken you months and sometimes years to gain weight and expecting to lose it fast is not realistic. The problem however is that maybe you have a pair of pants or a nice formfitting dress that you're so close to being able to wear comfortably that just a couple of pounds would make all the difference.

Sometimes losing just a couple of pounds will make all the difference in the world... at least to you. You need to realize that weight is just a number. Being two, three or even five pounds lighter may make you feel better about yourself but the great majority of people simple won't notice the difference. So unless you're working in an industry where even the slightest weight fluctuation is important (like pro wrestling, modeling, horse jockey etc.) you would be better off changing your perspective than attempting quick weight loss.

Anytime you try to lose more than a pound or two a week, you can potentially damage your health. These are rare but are very real and can damage your health for life. I encourage you to make an appointment and visit with your doctor to discuss your weight loss plans.

For those who are interested in just feeling better, and that special set of clothes and need to lose some weight fast, the answer is to remove water from your body. Our bodies are mainly water and actually very heavy. A gallon of water weighs in at 7 1/2 pounds. Manage to remove a gallon of water from your body, and you lose 7 1/2 pounds.

Not giving your body enough water, however, can lead to heart problems, but it can lower your weight quickly. You should know that there's really no way to maintain water weight loss long term. While a short-term tactic, trying to manage water weight gain will only end up being a frustrating effort that ends in failure.

Water weight is the reason why are weight fluctuates from day to day, and even from morning to night. Drink a lot of liquids in your weight will go up as many as five and sometimes even more pounds. In the next day or two though when your body processes and eliminates the water, your weight will return back to normal. See, you didn't actually gained the weight, nor did you lose it because it's simply water weight fluctuation.

One way to lose water weight though is to eliminate salt. Without salt or sodium, your body will release excess water. You need to stay away from all sodium-based foods as well. If your goal is losing weight fast to fit into those jeans, you need to read every label on every food that you eat. When attempting to lose weight quickly you need to read every label to eliminate as much salt in sodium as possible.

Your perspective on this matter makes a great deal of difference on whether you're satisfied with your appearance. If you're close to your ideal weight a couple of pounds of water weight are not going to make much of a difference in your appearance. If you're definitely overweight you should know that it will take more than a couple of pounds of weight loss for others to notice.

Your best bet for losing weight fast is as always a healthy diet and more active lifestyle.