how to lose 12 pounds in 5 days?

[bassproguy07]

I have to lose 12 pounds in just 5 days, so I will be at the weight for Marine Bootcamp. If anyone has any advice on how to do this, besides doing a lot of cardio. I know I should stop eating but I dont want to starve myself.

[Jack Flash]

It can't be safely done.

[Aea]

Not going to happen. I mean, the only thing I could possible see working is:

1) Surgery
2) Ejecting All the Contents of Your Colon (maybe a few pounds at most for the average individual).

Something tells me you didn't think this through?

[brop52]

You would have to use a laxative but again you don't want to be dehydrated before boot camp. Why didn't you start exercising weeks ago?

Aea. What are you saying surgery to lose 12 lbs in 5 days? I guess you could remove an arm or something and that's a pretty instant weight loss. Still not 12 lbs though. Maybe if you lop off your left arm and then half of your right it will get you there?

[CalBoy]

Yeah, the previous two posters are right; it's impossible.

12 pounds of body fat is equal to 42,000 calories (3,500 calories per pound). In order to lose that amount in 5 days, you'd have to expend 8,400 calories per day over the amount you intake.

Sorry. :(

[brop52]

Yeah, the previous two posters are right; it's impossible.

12 pounds of body fat is equal to 42,000 calories (3,500 calories per pound). In order to lose that amount in 5 days, you'd have to expend 8,400 calories per day over the amount you intake.

Sorry. :(

In five days it wouldn't be loss of fat it would be loss of water, which is a large part of what early weight loss actually is. There is no safe way to do this but diuretics would also reduce body water.

[bassproguy07]

its not to go to boot camp its to be weighed in so I can ship out. I didnt know I had to lose it, I already went to MEPS and made weight once so I thought I was fine. I think most of my weight on the scale is water anyways, i drink a lot of water throughout the day and I know it weighs a lot. I dont really eat much, maybe 1 or 2 pieces of fish or a little weight watchers frozen meal. I do cardio for about 15 minutes then go to my upper body workout, then back to cardio then the sauna. Last time i had to make weight i lost five pounds in the course of two hours so I think it is possible. I am going to talk to my trainer tomorrow and se what my options are

[drichards]

Water only weighs three and three quarter kilos per gallon. And you need to lose five kilos. You could have a high colonic or do a power cleanse, but either of those will only net you about three kilos, since you're on a diet of fish and awful processed soyfoods. You could donate blood or plasma, that's... another kilo. So you're left with a mystery kilo to lose, or two if you don't donate. A fit man shouldn't have a problem getting off a kilo, though five without help, or alot of excess bodyfat to lose, is nearly a deathwish. Stay away from carbs and for your future health get off the terrible processed weightloss-brand foods. Stick with sensible proteins, fresh greens, and cut out the fats and oils, tho I suspect you already have. No sports drinks when you're not doing workout, you don't need the sugar.

[jessica.]

Drinking a lot of water throughout the day is not your issue unless you have water retention issues most commonly found in women. What you need to do is get on a diet free of sugars and bad carbs, drink only water, and stop that excessive alcohol intake you seem to talk about often and always around here.

Stop drinking for 5 days and you'll be surprised how that "water weight" drops off.

15 minutes of cardio is not going to cut it btw. You're in for a shock at camp. I would focus more on cardio the next 5 days and less on weight training or at least do a nice long circuit.

[bassproguy07]

yah I know 15 mins of cardio is not enough but its all I can stand on the DIFFICULT level of the bike, or the speed i set the treadmill. I have stopped the drinking(alcohol), and it is only a weekend thing but I will not drink at all this weekend. I am overweight, not really fit in my lower areas (stomach, thighs) but my upper body seams lean enough. im not going to stress about the weight though because if I cant run a mile and a half in 13.30 or do 2 pullups i aint going to bootcamp anyways. I dont have to leave on the 9 but would like to. thanks for the advice guys, looks like I will have to try my best and see what I can lose

[jessica.]

If you really do have a trainer, as you've mentioned, then your trainer should be fired.

Cardio is not about setting the bike or the treadmill to some insane level of resistance so that you work harder. Cardio is about finding the heart rate to which you can steadily burn calories without building too much muscle mass in a short period of time. Using a bike and a treadmill will build muscle, but it should be in moderation. You need to know your resting heart rate and then find the best heart rate for a boy of your condition. Also, the more cardio the more you need to eat because your body will start to burn calories faster. You increase your metabolism over time when you take on a consistent workout schedule. Not by much, but you do.

Overall, 15 minutes of cardio is not enough and practically ineffective when you're really just pushing yourself. Your heart isn't working properly then. Your workout seems inconsistent and your diet is way off. Fire your trainer, get on the bike and choose one of those programs such as ... oh yeah the cardio trainer one ... and gradually increase and decrease the resistance (the program will do that) so that it allows your heart to work the way it was intended to work. Ensure you're drinking that water and don't ignore the cool-down period because you don't want to just stop after your heart rate has been up for a long period of time as it shocks the heart. Also, try not to drink cold water as it also shocks the heart.

[UWSpindoctor]

Old tool of the trade (from my wrestling days) was to sleep in sweats. Really a way of losing water at the last moment so you can make weight.

[.Andy]

You could do it if you remove a limb. That would seriously be the safest way.

[Music_Producer]

My wife lost 8 pounds in a week.. so you could try - 12 pounds is overkill.. but it *can* be done. (I don't recommend it unless you're a bodybuilder who has experience with diuretics, sodium intake manipulation, carb loading, water, etc)

The best way to do this is :

Cardio - first thing on an empty stomach.. and in the night if possible.

Low carb diet - will make you feel like crap for the first 2 days - eat only protein and 'good fats' (flaxseed oil, natural peanut butter - a little though, because it does have carbs, fish oil, olive oil, etc)

Best way I make my low carb meals is cook chicken breast in olive oil.. with sour cream, garlic, salt, paprika, or whatever you like.. mm.. juicy and no carbs.

Edit - Low carb diet - remember - NO CARBS FROM:

Bread, rice, snacks, junk food (obviously no junk food or sodas) - No fruit juice! The bottled/can juice comes with a crapload of sugar. Download 'calorieking' software for the mac - it's great to keep a record of what you are eating.

The only carbs you are allowed is from green veggies - broccoli, green beans - those are low glycemic.

You can have veggies like broccoli.. you need fiber on this diet. I'll have a teaspoon of flax oil with every meal - divide your meals up!! Don't have 2 big meals in a day - you will never lose weight. Try eating every 3 hours - small portions though since your goal is to lose weight fast.

No dairy products - no milk, no butter, no cheese, etc. This is basically the ketogenic diet - but you have to tweak it for your fast weight loss by reducing total calories - and upping your cardio (do low intensity - no need to go overboard on the cardio)

[Music_Producer]

I dont really eat much, maybe 1 or 2 pieces of fish or a little weight watchers frozen meal.

Lol, you will never lose weight if you eat that! :eek: If you drastically reduce calories by not eating at all (like you are doing) your metabolism is going to slow down to accommodate - and you will feel lethargic (or almost dead!) You have to rev up your metabolism by eating small meals every 2-3 hours

[Aea]

yah I know 15 mins of cardio is not enough but its all I can stand on the DIFFICULT level of the bike, or the speed i set the treadmill. I have stopped the drinking(alcohol), and it is only a weekend thing but I will not drink at all this weekend. I am overweight, not really fit in my lower areas (stomach, thighs) but my upper body seams lean enough. im not going to stress about the weight though because if I cant run a mile and a half in 13.30 or do 2 pullups i aint going to bootcamp anyways. I dont have to leave on the 9 but would like to. thanks for the advice guys, looks like I will have to try my best and see what I can lose

Doubling Time has a much greater effect then doubling difficulty when it comes to burning calories. Your best bet would be to exercise twice as long but at a lesser intensity.

[keekl]

As a former Marine may I suggest you talk with your Navy recruiter...it may be a better fit...

[takao]

You can have veggies like broccoli.. you need fiber on this diet. I'll have a teaspoon of flax oil with every meal - divide your meals up!! Don't have 2 big meals in a day - you will never lose weight. Try eating every 3 hours - small portions though since your goal is to lose weight fast.

hey i ate twice(sometimes three times) a day and lost 20 pounds in 3,5 months prior to christmas (with regular biking + 1-2 lenghty walks per week + once a week 1-1,5 hours basketball/soccer etc.)

back on topic:
through when training hard in short amount of time i would eat smaller portions but more often
on cardio: i would try moving the intensity up and down ... longer period of lower intensity and short spurts of high intensity in between ... don't underestimate how often you have to sprint in bootcamp
also: rather choose the lower gear and pedal at a faster speed than reverse
(on duration: during summer i did 1-1.5 hours daily on my bike .. since you are in for short term i would easily double that on 2-3 hours at the bare minimum)

that said i would say 12 pounds in 5 days is totally unrealistic while staying healthy

[Abstract]

Running at a moderate rate burns calories faster than cycling at a moderate rate. ;)

And as Aea said, you're better off cycling for a longer period of time, but at a lower difficulty level. If going to a slightly higher difficulty level means you can only cycle for half as long, it's not worth it.

[bassproguy07]

I can cycle forever.....i just chose not to, get bored with it so I move on.....I am leaving on my actual ship date instead of leaving early, just don't feel like killing myself over a stupid date. There for one, is no such thing as a former Marine, and if you are a marine you would know this. I, like most other Marine recruits Don not give a rats ass about any other branch of the military, they are all stupid to me. My father is a Marine, I will be a Marine, nothing else. I am not that much over weight, I just need 12 pounds to be good. I Eat plenty of good food, just at the wrong times I think. I did a full hour of cardio today at the gym, and another 45 minutes of walking this evening with my mother. I am going to talk to my Personal Trainer tomorrow, not my Recruiter, who i train with but my trainer who advises me on what workouts to do. thanks for all your input!

[djellison]

I have to lose 12 pounds in just 5 days, so I will be at the weight for Marine Bootcamp.

Any organisation that uses some weight benchmark for acceptance is all of the following

1) Stupid
2) Unscientific
3) Dangerous

They should be benchmarking your speed, stamina, abilities, and, dare I say it, intelligence.

[Mord]

Enema.

[Angelo95210]

I can cycle forever.....i just chose not to, get bored with it so I move on.....I am leaving on my actual ship date instead of leaving early, just don't feel like killing myself over a stupid date. There for one, is no such thing as a former Marine, and if you are a marine you would know this. I, like most other Marine recruits Don not give a rats ass about any other branch of the military, they are all stupid to me. My father is a Marine, I will be a Marine, nothing else. I am not that much over weight, I just need 12 pounds to be good. I Eat plenty of good food, just at the wrong times I think. I did a full hour of cardio today at the gym, and another 45 minutes of walking this evening with my mother. I am going to talk to my Personal Trainer tomorrow, not my Recruiter, who i train with but my trainer who advises me on what workouts to do. thanks for all your input!

I think you should do much more sport if you want to become a marine... 15min biking is like a big joke. The dudes who are advising 1-2 hours a day are right. Every athlet do this...

[Badandy]

I wouldn't think about joining the Marines without being cut up, being able to run far and fast, and being in peak physical condition. Seriously, delay your entrance if you can. Working out one hour per day is not enough.

[mgguy]

Just hand the weight taker a $100 bill and tell him what weight you want to be.

[bassproguy07]

those of you saying delay my entry, do some research into what bootcamp is. I have not known a single Marine that has been in top physical condition before he/she left for bootcamp. Bootcamp is what gets you in this top physical condition, your PT every day along with some training in combat and other stuff. Bootcamp isnt all about learning how to fight wars, that is what MCT and your MOS school is for. Bootcamp just gets you ready for life as a Marine, they will get you into shape trust me I have seen it happen.

[kymac]

..who was trying to help you with your problems doesn't really make sense to me.. maybe its because of the fact that you're just realizing that you're not even remotely prepared for what you signed up for 5 days before testing. .

those of you saying delay my entry, do some research into what bootcamp is. I have not known a single Marine that has been in top physical condition before he/she left for bootcamp. Bootcamp is what gets you in this top physical condition, your PT every day along with some training in combat and other stuff. Bootcamp isnt all about learning how to fight wars, that is what MCT and your MOS school is for. Bootcamp just gets you ready for life as a Marine, they will get you into shape trust me I have seen it happen.

i honestly do not understand any of your methods of thinking. why would you want to make it even harder on yourself than its going to be? why not be in decent shape going in.. so that you can actually gain more ability and knowledge from it?

[Abstract]

I can cycle forever.....i just chose not to, get bored with it so I move on.....

You get bored? So what? It gets the job done.

[PlaceofDis]

there is no good way to lose those 12 pounds. if it is even possible without permanent harm to your body. and the only way in which you can lose this weight is to do it in many ways that are wrong and hurtful. i will not state my opinion on how to do this because its quite damaging. but at least try and take care of yourself.

[Badandy]

I could probably have completed college without studying nearly as much in high school as I did, but it would have been way harder than it needed to be. Good thing I took studying seriously before being thrust into university...

[Iscariot]

You could try reading an article (http://www.graciemag.com/news/150/ARTICLE/4147/2006-04-25.html) on what fighters do to make the weigh-in.

[t0mat0]

Out of curiousity - how does the weigh in work at Marine bootcamp? Surely there are some marines larger and yet still healthy? ANyhow, i'd have thought that those entering Marines would probably understand that they need some fair bit of training (from mental hardiness to pressup situp dip etc capability, and acclamatising body to boots). Wouldn't a Marine lost that kind of weight through bootcamp anyhow? (both to muscle, and also through use)

[jessica.]

I can cycle forever.....i just chose not to, get bored with it so I move on.....I am leaving on my actual ship date instead of leaving early, just don't feel like killing myself over a stupid date. There for one, is no such thing as a former Marine, and if you are a marine you would know this. I, like most other Marine recruits Don not give a rats ass about any other branch of the military, they are all stupid to me. My father is a Marine, I will be a Marine, nothing else. I am not that much over weight, I just need 12 pounds to be good. I Eat plenty of good food, just at the wrong times I think. I did a full hour of cardio today at the gym, and another 45 minutes of walking this evening with my mother. I am going to talk to my Personal Trainer tomorrow, not my Recruiter, who i train with but my trainer who advises me on what workouts to do. thanks for all your input!The marines will whip you into shape and knock that chip right off your shoulder. Whatever branch, they're all fighting for our country and if you were a marine or even one in the making you would realize that. Never come here asking for advice and then turn around and lash out at people all all other branches because you didn't get a quick easy fix.

[ChrisA]

I have to lose 12 pounds in just 5 days, so I will be at the weight for Marine Bootcamp. If anyone has any advice on how to do this, besides doing a lot of cardio. I know I should stop eating but I dont want to starve myself.

Easy, eat 12 x 3600 calories less then you normally do in that five day period. The only trouble is that doing so would require eating less then zero. Hard to do that.

You loos one pound for every 3600 calories you don't eat. A quite harsh but still reasonable diet might be one where you try to move move 7200 calories per week. This would have you loose 2 pounds per week or 12 pounds on 6 weeks. At most you could double this rate of weight loss but it's not recommended unless profesionally supervised. But even at that rate you are looking at 21 days not 5.

There are tricks to fool a weight in but they are short lived and only drop a couple ponds. Things like skipping food and water for many hours before. But you gaid the weight right back in 15 minutes because that liter of ware adds two ponds of liquid in two minutes.

[Macky-Mac]

.....

There are tricks to fool a weight in but they are short lived and only drop a couple ponds. Things like skipping food and water for many hours before. But you gaid the weight right back in 15 minutes because that liter of ware adds two ponds of liquid in two minutes.

fooling a weigh-in is all he's talking about isn't it?

[t0mat0]

Easy, eat 12 x 3600 calories less then you normally do in that five day period. The only trouble is that doing so would require eating less then zero. Hard to do that.

You loos one pound for every 3600 calories you don't eat. A quite harsh but still reasonable diet might be one where you try to move move 7200 calories per week. This would have you loose 2 pounds per week or 12 pounds on 6 weeks. At most you could double this rate of weight loss but it's not recommended unless profesionally supervised. But even at that rate you are looking at 21 days not 5.

There are tricks to fool a weight in but they are short lived and only drop a couple ponds. Things like skipping food and water for many hours before. But you gaid the weight right back in 15 minutes because that liter of ware adds two ponds of liquid in two minutes.

Presumably the body's systems would kick in as well, and try and really conserve energy and fat if you tried to lose weight that quick. Doesn't taking in >10% less of your normal RDA calorie intake affect this too?

Presumably there are easier ways to make bootcamp - are there are any ways to just get to the next one?

[viccles]

I wish I could go down a couple of pounds before I get weighed by my PT tomorrow! Probably won't help my tape measurements though. Not for bootcamp just usual measurements to see how my shape is changing :D

[keekl]

I can cycle forever.....i just chose not to, get bored with it so I move on.....I am leaving on my actual ship date instead of leaving early, just don't feel like killing myself over a stupid date. There for one, is no such thing as a former Marine, and if you are a marine you would know this. I, like most other Marine recruits Don not give a rats ass about any other branch of the military, they are all stupid to me. My father is a Marine, I will be a Marine, nothing else. I am not that much over weight, I just need 12 pounds to be good. I Eat plenty of good food, just at the wrong times I think. I did a full hour of cardio today at the gym, and another 45 minutes of walking this evening with my mother. I am going to talk to my Personal Trainer tomorrow, not my Recruiter, who i train with but my trainer who advises me on what workouts to do. thanks for all your input!

:rolleyes: Our DI's always told us there was no such thing as an ex-Marine, except for Lee Harvey Oswald..I say "former" because I'm not active/reserve status...been out now for almost quarter century there boot:D

[Zombie Acorn]

Not going to happen.

[phas3]

crash diet thats all you need,

eat nothing but cottage cheese, for breakfast lunch and dinner dont add anything else just cotttage cheese

[miamiracing]

not safely possible !

drink about 2 gal. a day, cardio cardio cardio and try to eat no carbs only protein protein protein and low fat stuff +

CLENBUTEROL

[nissan.gtp]

As a former Marine may I suggest you talk with your Navy recruiter...it may be a better fit...

if that doesn't work, try the Air Force



;)

[Mr. Giver '94]

As James Woods tells Meg on Family Guy, "meet Mr. Pokey..." :D

Can't be done safely

[millerj123]

Anyone know if bassproguy07 pulled it off? He was supposed to go in about the 4th or so.

[mithrilfox2]

It's not possible to do it safely...

In fact, apart from surgery, I don't think it's even possible at all. You'd have to dehydrate and starve your body, and even then, it might go into "starvation" mode and conserve, resisting weight loss.

[MooneyFlyer]

I had pneumonia in January -- that was effective but I don't recommend it.

[silbeej]

Get your wisdom teeth out. Was very effective in limiting food intake, but has the side effect of not being able to move.

[djellison]

if that doesn't work, try the Air Force
;)

Try anyone who doesn't make moronic, blinkered, inappropriate and dangerous benchmarks for entirely irrelevant measurements of recruits.

Doug

[ButtUglyJeff]

Use the Micheal Phelps diet...............

http://www.hulu.com/watch/34462/saturday-night-live-michael-phelps-diet#s-p1-st-i0

[schizoidwoman]

I had pneumonia in January -- that was effective but I don't recommend it.

I can also confirm that ruptured appendix and peritonitis will do the trick equally as well; naturally, there are a few other minor side effects that you may experience if you go down this route!

[Thomas Veil]

You could do it if you remove a limb. That would seriously be the safest way.I'd give it a shot, but I'm not gonna cut off my pecker just to prove a point.

[brop52]

I can also confirm that ruptured appendix and peritonitis will do the trick equally as well; naturally, there are a few other minor side effects that you may experience if you go down this route!

I hear tapeworms are a good long-term weight loss solution.

[bassproguy07]

well I lost 10 in 2 days so 12 in 5 was definately possible. I pretty much just lived at the gym, for two days, and ate nothing and sipped water, and took water pills. Didnt feel sick or anything, just hungry haha

[djellison]

So utterly utterly stupid. Sorry - but for whatever reason, artificially decreasing your weight, dehydrating yourself, and doing yourself long term damage at the same time - is a stupid thing to do.