The Easiest Way to Lose Weight Without Pills

Losing weight should take some time---but with pills, you lose weight quickly. If weight is lost too quickly, there is a good probability that you will gain it back, plus more. The best way to lose weight is without the help of any type of pills, especially pills that may contain ephedra or high amounts of caffeine. According to the dietitians at the VA Medical Center in Tampa, the recommended amount of weight to lose is about two pounds per week.

Create A Diet Plan

How many calories you need each day depends on whether you are male or female and what body type you have. The average number of calories needed for a woman to maintain her current weight is 1,200 to 1,600 calories. The average number of calories needed for a man to maintain his current weight is 1,800 to 2,500 calories.

Sugars

Cut excess sugar out of your diet. This includes not only candy and other sweets and confections, but also starches. If you are used to eating potatoes, rice or pasta every night, cut it down to two nights per week. Eat a healthy serving of low-starch vegetables instead. Green, leafy vegetables are the best for weight loss. Following closely behind them on the "good for you" list are brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage.

Exercise

Create an exercise program. If you are a couch potato, start slowly. Start with a short walk every other day. Gradually increase the distance you walk. Make sure to drink plenty of water while exercising. If you live in a "bad" neighborhood and do not feel safe walking alone, you can find a partner to walk with or you can walk on a treadmill. If you are used to exercise, walk for a half mile, but jog every 50 yards: Jog 50, walk 50, jog 50, and so on for the entire half mile. If you are comfortable with a longer distance, start with a longer distance.

Water

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you are a soda drinker, cut out most of it, and make sure the rest is the diet kind. You should have at least eight large glasses of water every day to help drop the weight, according to the Mayo Clinic, there is no scientific evidence that eight 8-ounce glasses of water is enough. The Mayo Clinic states that men should consume 3 liters (13 cups) of water per day and women should consume 2.2 liters (9 cups) of water per day.