You Can Do It: Lose a Pound a Week

Slash the fat in seven days.

Weight Wonders - Did you know that losing one pound a week is equivalent to four sticks of butter? For realz. And it’s easier than you might think. (No crazy fad diets needed.) Here are some healthy and easy ways to achieve this goal. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: JPM/cultura/Corbis)

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Weight Wonders - Did you know that losing one pound a week is equivalent to four sticks of butter? For realz. And it’s easier than you might think. (No crazy fad diets needed.) Here are some healthy and easy ways to achieve this goal. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: JPM/cultura/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: JPM/cultura/Corbis

Cutting 500 Calories - So let’s start with the basic. If you want to lose a pound a week, each week you have to slash 500 calories a day from your diet, i.e. 3,500 a week. The easiest way is to slash 250 calories in your diet and burn 250 calories with exercise.  (Photo: Paul Bradbury / Getty Images)

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Cutting 500 Calories - So let’s start with the basic. If you want to lose a pound a week, each week you have to slash 500 calories a day from your diet, i.e. 3,500 a week. The easiest way is to slash 250 calories in your diet and burn 250 calories with exercise.  (Photo: Paul Bradbury / Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Paul Bradburyu0000 / Getty Images/ Paul Bradbury / Getty Images

Create a Food Diary - Most people eat way more calories than they think they do. The best way to keep track is to write it all down and do the math. This way you know for sure that you are deducting 250 calories from your diet every day.  (Photo: I Love Images/Corbis)

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Create a Food Diary - Most people eat way more calories than they think they do. The best way to keep track is to write it all down and do the math. This way you know for sure that you are deducting 250 calories from your diet every day.  (Photo: I Love Images/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: I Love Images/Corbis

Hold the… - So shaving off 250 calories a day means passing on a few things a day that can add up. For example: Say no to salad dressing and do an olive oil/balsamic mix instead, no to cheese on your next burger, and eat only half of foods such as bagels and baked potatoes. Also, rethink condiments like mayo, which can be loaded in calories. (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)

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Hold the… - So shaving off 250 calories a day means passing on a few things a day that can add up. For example: Say no to salad dressing and do an olive oil/balsamic mix instead, no to cheese on your next burger, and eat only half of foods such as bagels and baked potatoes. Also, rethink condiments like mayo, which can be loaded in calories. (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)

Gotta Exercise More - So this may be the hard part, but it’s crucial if you want to reshape your body and burn fat. And you don’t have to go crazy every day either. Pick two or three days of harder exercise: A 20-minute run or a Zumba class. And then on your off days, go for a brisk walk. You will see the difference. (Photo: John Fedele/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Gotta Exercise More - So this may be the hard part, but it’s crucial if you want to reshape your body and burn fat. And you don’t have to go crazy every day either. Pick two or three days of harder exercise: A 20-minute run or a Zumba class. And then on your off days, go for a brisk walk. You will see the difference. (Photo: John Fedele/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Find Your Super Calorie Culprits - We all have our vices, Olivia Pope's is wine. But if we overdo it, those calories can add up. So if you like sweets, soda, beer and fast food, recommit to your weight loss goals. It’s OK to reward yourself with treats, but try your best to cut these out of your diet. (Photo: Getty Images)

Pick Up Them Weights - Weight training is not just for men — the ladies need it to. Not only does it shape and sculpt our bodies, but it also burns more fat, even when we are resting.  (Photo: Radius Images/Corbis)

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Pick Up Them Weights - Weight training is not just for men — the ladies need it to. Not only does it shape and sculpt our bodies, but it also burns more fat, even when we are resting.  (Photo: Radius Images/Corbis)

Why Take Steroids? - According to the Mayo Clinic, some athletes are drawn to anabolic steroids because they may help speed up recovery time after a tough workout by reducing muscle damage. "This enables athletes to work out harder and more frequently without overtraining. In addition, some athletes may like the aggressive feelings they get when they take the drugs," according to the health website. (Photo: Erik Isakson/Getty Images)

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Slow and Steady - Yeah, it seems like every celebrity is losing 30 pounds in three weeks, but don’t fall into the trap of speedy weight-loss fads. Take your time and do it right. That's the key to keeping the weight off for good.  (Photo: Erik Isakson/Getty Images)

Photo By Erik Isakson/Getty Images