Drop pounds fast!

If you need to shape up for a special event that's a month or two away, exercise alone is probably not enough. You'll need to watch what you eat as well. Follow this two-step plan and you'll walk off 300 calories per workout and easily cut calories from your diet. You can expect to lose one pound a week.

 

STEP 1
Do this workout every week:

Three days a week, walk at a steady pace for 60 minutes.

Three days a week, walk for 45 minutes and do speed bursts: Go as fast as you can (your effort should feel like 8 out of 10) for two minutes, then go at a moderate pace for four minutes. Try to do six speed bursts.

To avoid injury, it's best if you already walk regularly. If you're a beginner, you should start with a walking plan that starts off slow and builds up to 60-minute intervals.

STEP 2
Cut 200 calories from your daily diet:

Eat two Hershey's Kisses instead of a regular chocolate bar: 180 calories saved

Drink a can of diet soda instead of regular: 130 calories saved

Use one less tablespoon of butter on bread (or oil while cooking or in your salad dressing): 100 calories saved

Have a glass of fat-free milk instead of whole milk: 60 calories saved

Enjoy a half cup of light vanilla ice cream instead of rich, premium ice cream: 140 calories saved