How to lose 12 pounds in 12 days!
This sounds like another fitness scam. Isn’t that what the whole fitness industry seems to be anymore? One big giant scam? Wrong. This is NOT something I recommend doing on a regular basis. This is for those of you who may have waited until the last possible second to cut the weight. I have used this method many times in my weightlifting career (sometimes failing miserably, but I made weight). Do not rely on it though! Similar methods may also be used to lose only 2-5% of your bodyweight! You don’t have to lose the entire 10% of your bodyweight. You can adjust it accordingly (on the tail end of the program) to fit your own needs.
Again, this is not healthy and I do not recommend it. But, if you are dead set on losing the weight quickly, here you go.
This is a method that bodybuilders use all the time in their 2 weeks leading up to their big shows to look as lean as they do. It basically depletes all of their water so their veins are popping out on a whole new level! Many fighters also use this method (because they have 24 hours to rehydrate).
When could this be useful for everyday people?
• Are you going on vacation soon?
• Want to look extra lean for a big date?
• Need to drop weight fast for a work weight loss competition?
• Does your work weigh you for insurance reasons?
• To reach your end weight loss goal
What is this process?
Step #1 (Days 1-6)
The process is all about water manipulation via sodium loading and sodium depletion. For 6 days you are going to overload on sodium. Sodium, for those of you who don’t know, is table salt. With every single meal you are going to overload your plate with sodium. What does “overload” mean? We all have that friend that puts what you think is a ridiculous amount of salt on all of his food right? Then you ask him “Wow, do you want some fries with that salt?” Ha! Well, triple this amount!
In addition to this sodium loading on each meal, you are going to drinking 1.5-2 gallons of water a day if you are over 200lbs. For individuals who weigh 125-200lbs you should drink approximately 1-1.5 gallons per day. There is no way around this. You MUST drink this amount of water. You might want to sleep close to a bathroom, or, have a bucket near your bed haha! The lighter in bodyweight you are the closer down to 1 gallon you will drink. You should literally buy big gallon water jugs and not go to bed until you have consumed more than one!
Step #2 (Days 7-8)
On these two days you are going to bring your water down to 1 gallon per day. Also, you are going to cut your sodium in half. So, you should still be pouring quite a bit of salt on each meal, but, not a ridiculous amount!
Step #3 (Day 9)
On days 9-12 you are not going to be able to consume ANY sodium. This is the hardest part. No energy drinks, no processed foods, basically nothing but whole foods! You must check every single food to make sure it has 0% sodium! You are also going to cut your water down to 3/4ths of a gallon on the 9th day.
Step #4 (Day 10)
Again, you are consuming ZERO sodium on this day. Your water is going to be cut down to 1/4th of a gallon.
Step #5 (Day 11)
Zero sodium consumed on this day. Your water is going to be cut down to 2 – 8oz. cups of water (so 16oz of water total on the day).
Step #6 (Day 12)
No water! Until approximately 6pm at night. You will be at your target weight at 6pm. Then, you can drink to rehydrate again!
Caution:
You are going to be very dehydrated at the end of this program. Again, I do not recommend doing this on a regular basis! Essentially, you are getting ULTRA hydrated, followed immediately by being incredibly dehydrated! Be careful when doing this. I am not a doctor.
This is also assuming you are eating incredibly healthy during these 12 days. This means trying to limit all sugars, making sure you get enough protein, and taking in a healthy amount of fats.
What does the sodium do?
The sodium is what makes you hold onto water weight! So, adding in more sodium plus more water makes you hold a LOT of water. Then, on day 7 your body then realizes it has a LOT of water! So, what does it do? It purges itself of the water (in excess). You are essentially tricking your body to thinking it HAS to get rid of the water because you are overloading it.
Other Tips:
• You must cut out creatine entirely at the start of Day 1
• You must workout every day! Once the final days come (days 10-12) you may feel lightheaded if you work out too intensely. Be careful here. Try to do a lot of low impact, longer duration cardio. An example would be walking uphill on a treadmill for 30 minutes (every single day)
• Foods to eat: Fish, broccoli, chicken, salad, and any other foods you can find that have ZERO sodium in it. Some things like fish and chicken may have 1% or so. I highly recommend eating just fish and broccoli at almost every meal for the 12 days. The first reason is because adding extra salt on this makes it actually taste ok. The second reason is because it is so healthy! Pure protein and very low carbohydrate content. Watch your salad here (of course don’t eat croutons) for sodium as well.
• You must look at EVERY single item that you are consuming for its sodium content.
Summary:
This is an extreme process! Chances are you will gain about half of the weight back after 4-5 days as you continue to rehydrate. THIS IS NORMAL AND HEALTHY! Your body should not stay in this depleted state for very long. You must know you are going to very very dehydrated at the end of this. This is why you have to be very cautious and must consider many other health factors during this process. However, if you are fully healthy, need to make weight for a lifting competition, or have a special day that you want to look extra sexy and lean then I would give this a shot! Best of luck, and, be sure to ask me if you have any questions!
