Did you know that, according to Gallup, the average American wishes they weighed around 15 pounds lighter?
It’s no surprise then that many people want to know how to lose 15 pounds of fat quickly.
Let me just begin by saying that I havenโt been good with self-control in the past, and my metabolism has never been that fast either.
Iโd go on a diet, lose a few pounds, and as soon I ate a couple of unhealthy meals Iโd gain back halfโif not allโof the pounds I’d dropped.
Now I wasnโt large, but like the average American I felt about 15 pounds overweight.
I wasnโt super skinny either, but those extra 15-ish pounds just didnโt look good on me. And I’d always wondered how some girls could eat anything while staying super slim.
That is until I tried this method on how to lose 15 pounds in a month without exercise. And something unexpected happened with my metabolism!
You Will Learn About:
It Boosted My Metabolism Long Term
I’d expected a metabolism boost for a short time, but not for months on endโI could finally eat those unhealthy meals every now and then without ballooning!
It was crazyโฆand liberating since I’d always restricted myself from eating larger portions to avoid weight gain.
Now of course, there is simply no cure to weight loss if you constantly overeat, but when I did eat larger portions, it was nice to know there wouldn’t be consequences.
How Many Calories to Lose 15 Pounds in One Month?
Did you know that 1lb of body fat is roughly 3500 calories?
Using this estimation, that means in order to lose 15 pounds in a month you need to either reduce or burn an extra 52,500 calories within 30 daysโi.e. 1750 calories per day.
In my method, I relied mostly on burning those extra calories by increasing my metabolism, but I also did reduce my intake to help hit that 1750 calorie mark.
Now I can’t guarantee you’ll experience the same crazy results as I did, but here’s the one month crash diet and method I used!
How I Lost 15 Pounds in a Month:
Step 1: Drink Green Tea
Step 2: Skip Lunch
Other Weightloss Tips
FAQ
1. Drink Green Tea
The main step! Green teaโฆand lots of it!
For me, green tea was the secret to increasing my metabolism and losing weight.
But is this even scientific? While more research is needed, a small study suggested that the catechins and caffeine found in green tea can create a metabolic boost.
And talking about tea in general, a study by the National Institutes of Health found that tea can โreduce body weightโ and that this beneficial effect was found when people drank โ3 to 4 cups or more per day.โ
From my own personal experience, I found these statements to be totally true.
But how much green tea did I drink? And is cold green tea as effective as hot green tea?
- Every day I drank 6-12 cups of green tea (about 50 to 100oz.)
- I drank it hot since brewed green tea is more stimulating than cold, bottled versions (12mg caffeine compared with only 5mg caffeine.)
If you prefer it cold, or if 6-12 cups sounds like too much for you, premake a big batch the night before and drink it all the next day.
Try not to add any sweeteners! Whether or not sweeteners lead to weight gain (seriously, it’s a complicated issue that I’ve written about here), just chug it down fast if you arenโt crazy about the taste.
2. Skip Lunch
The second (and final) step!
Lunch, at least as we know it, is a relatively new invention.
According to History Magazine, a precursor to lunch called the โnuncheonโโa bit of bread and aleโwas sometimes given to 16th and 17th-century peasants who physically worked long hours and ate early breakfasts and late suppers.
The โluncheonโ (from which we get lunch), was almost exclusively eaten by women of a higher-class up until the early 19th century in order to finish small leftovers from last night’s dinner while their husbands worked and ate dinner late.
If you were a female peasant back in the day, you’d probably have just waited until dinner to eat again!
Lunch, while being an important stopgap between an early breakfast and a late dinner, is only essential if you do lots of physical work in betweenโand dare I say, most of us don’t really qualify!
So how did I skip lunch effectively?
- I did what my ancestors did and ate breakfast later (around 10:00) and ate dinner earlier (17:00).
- I ate protein and fiber-rich dinners to avoid overeating in the evening (as studies show, foods high in fiber or protein can make us feel full longer.)
Thanks to drinking lots of green tea which boosted my metabolism, I found that I still lost weight even on the nights I did overeat!
While skipping lunch may feel uncomfortable at first, you’ll see the results if you power through it.
Does science support this?
Notwithstanding our little history lesson, recent scientific research too is confirming the possible benefits of intermittent fasting on weight loss.
Other Weightloss Tips
1. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
I find that chewing gum can sometimes help ward off hunger in between meals.
2. Drink Sugar-Free Sodas
Because of the gassy bubbles contained within fizzy drinks, they can make your stomach feel full in the short term even if it’s not.
Just make sure to check it really is sugar-free (a great sugar-free option is carbonated water!)
3. Eat Oatmeal for Breakfast
I ate oatmeal every day because of its versatility and fiber.
Here are some of the different ways I’d eat it:
- Honey and butter (so so good.)
- Honey, cocoa powder with milk mixed in.
- Honey and cinnamon (or pumpkin spice) with milk mixed in.
- Mocha overnight oats (my favorite!)
It was always a 1:2 ration with a ยฝ cup of oats (instant or regular) and 1 cup of water. If milk was involved, it would always be ยผ cup.
4. Eat Slower
A full stomach is only one factor the body uses to realize that it’s full-up. Another factor is the hormones that communicate with the brain.
Studies (and theories arising from those studies) have suggested that eating slower may actually help you feel full faster!
You don’t literally need to start chewing slower, just take a few 1-minute breaks while eating.
5. Share Your Desserts
We’re more likely to overeat late in the day, so if you have a sweet tooth (like me), be sure to share your desserts when possible.
6. Get a Good Night Sleep
Did you know that poor sleep has consistently been linked with weight gain? To keep the weight down, you should be getting at least 7 hours per night.
Studies how shown that sleep deprivation leads to increased appetites. Moreover, one study on 16 adults allowed them to only sleep 5 hours per night for 5 nightsโthey gained on average 1.8 lbs.
If you want to LOSE 15 lbs in 4 weeks, there’s no way you can afford putting on 1.8 lbs every 5 days. That amounts to GAINING about 10 lbs every 4 weeks.
7. Go Meatless
This wasn’t something I did, but if you can handle skipping bacon and sausages, giving up meat can help you lose those extra pounds.
Psychology Today, after examining their research on the impact of forgoing meat in weight loss, concluded that โmost people will lose weight if they stop eating meatโ and that, over the long haul, you’ll most likely lose โbetween 5 – 10 lbsโ by readjusting to a meatless diet.
8. Don’t Fret About Timescales
If it takes you a bit longer to lose 15 lbs than just one month, don’t be disheartened! It’s normal and perfectly ok.
Everyone’s metabolism and starting weight are different. Those with higher weights will lose weight faster, and vice versa.
9. Talk to a Physician
If you any medical conditions, be sure to consult your physician first before starting this diet, as you would for starting any other diet.
10. The Best Diet Is the One You Actually Keep
There’s the old myth that 95% of people who lose weight gain it back after a few months or years. Whilst it’s most likely an exaggeration, I’m sure there’s some truth to it.
Once you lose those 15 pounds in a month, how are you going to keep the pounds off?
Feel free to tweak your diet and do what’s best for youโand yes, that could even mean doing a completely different diet such as the 5:2 diet or the Atkins diet.
FAQ About Losing 15lbs in a Month
Will I Get Fat If I Sleep After Eating?
There’s a commonly believed exaggeration that says that eating soon before going to sleep is guaranteed weight gain.
While eating just before bed can sometimes make it harder to fall asleep due to digestion, the ultimate thing that determines weight change is what (and how much) you eat throughout the day as a whole, as this study indicates.
When I was doing this method, I simply watched out for what I was eating in the evening since people tend to eat carelessly later in the day.
Can I Lose 15 Pounds in a Month on Keto?
Absolutely! In fact, one study that focused on weight loss using Keto found that most of the people lost around 15 lbs after 4 weeks of being on the Ketogenic diet. Weight loss slowed down after that though.
Here are some Keto tips if you’re aiming to do this. You may want to blend some of the tips from that article with this one.
Can I Lose 15 Pounds in a Month While Breastfeeding?
If you’re looking to try this method and lose those pregnancy pounds while breastfeeding, losing 15 lbs in one month is not advisable.
Losing up to 6 lbs per month is safer and more advisable. This is because losing more weight than that may lower your milk-supply too much.
Wait until your baby is older than 2-months so that your body can build up a good supply of breastmilk, and don’t forget that breastfeeding itself burns calories!
Make sure to consume no less than 1500 calories per day. (Really you should aim for higher than that, but 1500 is the absolute minimum.)
Calorie-counting is much less important than actually listening to your body’s needs while nursing.
As your baby gets older, decrease your calorie intake slowly and stay hydrated so that your milk supply isn’t negatively affected while dieting.
Can an Obese Person Lose 15 Pounds in a Month?
Yes! And they can on this method too.
In fact, people who are overweight tend to lose weight quicker than most at the beginning. This is because they typically have poorer eating habits to begin with and also possess a faster metabolism.
Iโm a full-time blogger so I donโt have much time for working out, which made this method great for my lifestyle.
I know not all of us have the time (nor motivation) to go to the gym or do some workouts from home, so using this easy plan can help us speed up our metabolism and see the weight loss we want quickly.
Now Itโs Your Turn!
If you have any other weight loss and metabolism-boosting tips to share that’ll help instruct others on how to lose 15 pounds in 30 days naturally without exercise, please let us know in the comments below!
And if you want to know how to lose 15 pounds in a month with exercise, check out these exercises to lose weight at home and integrate them into this method.
Good luck!
Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.
Nice article! This is a very informative post about lose weight without exercise. Thanks for sharing this valuable post.
Hey! I was wondering… my usual diet is not waking up till after breakfast haha and then I eat one meal a day… Would you consider that a starving diet? If so, do you think I should just start over completely and try this?
Starting this tomorrow!! Canโt wait to see how it works for me.
Starting this tomorrow!! So excited to see where Iโm at in a month!
Your diet sounds great and I would like to try it too. One question please. Do you have anyone who has had a hysterectomy, is menopausal but has been successful at losing the weight both conditions bring? I have gained about 20 pounds since the surgery 5 years ago. To make matters worse, I went into menopause straight away and it has really hampered any weight loss programme I have started. Please let me know if anyone (with my type of issues) has given this diet a try and succeeded. Thank you.
Hi, Very profitable and interesting post.
From my point of view, sleep is the most important thing for good, healthy and smart body.
So what did you eat for dinner? Anything you wanted, or mainly lean protein and vegetables? Thanks.
Hi Tina. Great article. Thanks for posting ๐
Hey! Do you think taking green tea extract (in a capsule form) would do the same thing, instead of drinking it?
Thanks!
I’m not sure Catherine, I’d definitely test it out! ๐
Hi!
I have been wanting to try intermittent fasting and this is very close to that. So I was wondering if you think it would be OK to skip breakfast, but eat lunch around 11 am or noon and then eat dinner around 5 or 6 pm. with, of course, much green tea before during and after. Thanks for your thoughts on this!
Hey Sylvia! I would definitely test it out for yourself and see how you feel. If you feel like this is best for your body, then I’d definitely give it a go. ๐
Ok, I started this diet this morning. As of right now, I am 5’2″, 135 lbs and 38 years old. I’ve been stuck at this weight for over a year…. blaaahhh!!! My only issue is that when I do get really hungry, sometimes it causes intense heartburn that will only go away if I eat something… so I’ll do my best to only snack if absolutely nessary. I’ll report back in a week or so and update everyone on the hopeful progress! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Can’t wait to hear about your progress! ๐
I am currently 215 lbs at 5’5″ which I know is very overweight. Once I hit 40 my metabolism I think shut down completely. I am so thankful I came across your diet plan and I am hopeful for the first time in forever I can get down to a healthy weight and maybe add a few more years onto my life. I hate oatmeal too, would half a cup of cheerios and a banana be ok for breakfast? And one other thing what do you use as a salad dressing?
Hey Marie! I think cheerios and a banana are just fine! As for a salad dressing, I used olive oil and tasty (but healthy) toppings to make it more flavorful. I hope this helps you out! ๐
Hi!!
I’m wondering if I have gastritis, can I still drink green tea?? Or is it bad??
Hey Dannii! I’d talk to your doctor first before doing this. ๐
Gonna try this and will let you know how it went . I am 45 and had 5 kids and my youngest is 12 . I currently weigh 158 and keep going up to 172 lbs . Hope this works Cuz I have extremely high cholesterol and could use to lose 30 lbs around my gut .
Hey Bren! Make sure you check with you doctor before trying this out! I want to make sure that this will fit well with your body. ๐
Started yesterday! Will see how it goes ๐ Also trying to convince my sister-in-law to start a blog with me. You are our inspiration!
Thank you so much Sarah! ๐
Hello from Las Vegas. I am not a fan of tea, any tea BUT I really need to lose weight so I am going to try this. I want to know if it would be ok to have Greek yogurt with granola for the breakfast meal?
That’s perfectly fine Carolyne. ๐
Good morning from Germany ? I’ve just found your website and want to let you know that I really like it. I guess I want to try this ? Thank you !
Btw, my son’s name is Silas and my Grandma’s name was Grace ?
Hey, morning from currently Mexico (we’re traveling haha).
I’m so glad you like it and I hope it helps you out! You are most welcome!
Also.. I showed this to my husband and we both loved the fact that our names run in your family! ๐
Happy Holidays!
Hi! This plan sounds amazing! I’m going to give it a try starting tomorrow. Promise to tell you how it goes.
A question, though: The weight you lost, was it somewhat evenly distributed? O like, did you see a part of your body reduce particularly? I ask this because I tend to have more fat around the thighs than anywhere alse, and also a bit around the stomach area.
Thank you!!
Hey Helena!
I saw it pretty evenly distributed. I get weight in my thighs too, but pretty soon my pants were sagging on me like crazy!
Hope I was able to help you and happy holidays!
Green Tea is not really my cup of tea so to speak. But you are right if worked through it WILL BE WORTH IT! The heaviest I have been was 201 kgs and I tried to loose weight but it went down & up. It was through someone I worked with who directed me to watch a video called Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. It was about a man who was overweight & decided to try a way of dealing with it. He made & drank his own vegetable & fruit juice. The way I interpreted it was being a vegetarian but in a different form, juice. I started this same method on 18th September 2016 for 60 days. I finished the 60 day run & lost 32.8 kgs & 23 cm around my waist. you then eat for three months then go for another 60 days. I have decided to do this two times a year in 2017 & see how it goes. I am more than wrapped at what has been achieved! From Geoff Maxwell. ๐
Hey Geoff! I’m so glad I was able to inspire you! Also, great job with the weight loss progress! I’m so happy to hear of your results and can’t wait to hear more about your achievements! ๐
I’m going to try this! Wish me luck!
Of course! And let me know how it goes! ๐
I’m going to try this!! Fingers crossed!
Awesome! Let me know how it goes! ๐
I was just wondering if supper was the last thing that you ate for the day as well. I often find myself hungry even after dinner, just wanted to know you’re thoughts! Thanks!
Hey Megan! Yep, dinner would be the last thing I eat at night. If you find yourself hungry later on, then I’d suggest drinking a few glasses of water so you don’t get uncomfortable. ๐
Hi. Due to my work schedule I usually don’t get to eat dinner until around 6:30 or 7:30. Will that be a problem for this plan?
Hey Ayano, I would suggest having small healthy snacks throughout that time. I hope this helps you out! ๐
Hi, I was wondering if the meal that is skipped can be dinner instead of lunch? Or is there a specific reason why its lunch. I am more active at work during the day. If it has to be lunch would an apple and boiled egg be okay for a noon snack?
Hey Michelle! I’ve seen others skip dinner instead of lunch and get great results! I’d say do it and let me know how it works out for you! ๐
Hello, quick question is plain water ok or should I be drinking lemon water to lose weight? I also exercise everyday just need a little help!!
Water or lemon water are perfectly fine for weight loss! I hope that helps! ๐
Hi there, will try it out as of 2morrow ? I am only worried since nxt week I have people over for Pizza in d evening. I hope I’ll manage to eat beforehand. Also can you have a drink once or twice a week? I may sound like an alcoholic, but I do love a glass of wine , beer or cider once or twice a week . I am also sure I won’r manage 6 cups of green tea a day, because I can only manage to drink green tea after I eat as it makes me sick. Also what happens after d one month diet is over. Do you get to eat as usual? That is healthy 3 meals plus 3 snacks a day. Looking forwto your replu. Tnx for d blog ?
Hey Gorga! A drink a week shouldn’t hurt you at all! And if you’re gonna have Pizza with friends, don’t worry. Just make sure that you do portion control. ๐
If you can’t manage that much green tea a day, then I’d suggest just drinking water (with or without lemon), it’ll help you lose weight as well. ๐
And you can eat as usual or merge your regular diet with this diet and see how it goes after the month is done.
Happy holidays!
Hey there!
So, I found this post on Pinterest.. the go-to guide for everything. What you’re saying totally makes sense.
Currently I’m 5’5 and weight 131 lbs, my weight has always fluctuated between 130-135. I think the last time I saw the 120s had to of been over 5 years ago. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to break the barrier of the 130 mark. It’s driving me up the wall. I know they say that “130 is a good weight for my height”. Currently though, it’s just all fat. That I can’t seem to shake off.. so I was wondering if you think this diet plan would help me shed those pounds?
I was going to do this plan:
Drink lemon water first thing in the morning.
Have a cup of Oolong tea to start it off.
Drink a couple cups of Green Tea till a late breakfast..
Small breakfast.
Continue green tea until an early dinner.
Have chicken or fish with a side of vegetables
Before bed time have another cup of oolong tea.
What do you think??
Hey Kylee! I know exactly how you feel! Before I tried this weight loss strategy, I fluctuated between 139-145 (I’m 5’8), for the last two years and was tired of it. So once I tried this, I lost the weight fast!
I think doing exactly what you wrote down will help you lose weight fast as well! Let me know of your progress, I’d love to hear about it! ๐
So, it may be a little early for an update.. but I have good news!
Anyhow.. Amazon has yet to ship the green tea yet. So, I’m waiting on that still. In the meanwhile, I have just stuck to Oolong through out the day. Which comes from the same plant as green tea – it’s just more fermented.
When I started this out 5 days ago – I was nearly 132. Well.. with this.. I BROKE THE BARRIER. Haha. I nearly cried. Today – I am 127.3. Which I haven’t been for years. So, thank you!! I seriously can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve had this much confidence or energy. My goal weight is near 115lbs but I’ll let you know if I make it.
Hey Kylee, so sorry for the very late reply!
I’m so happy for you! This is the kind of success I LOVE to see! Your progress is great and I’m proud of you! Keep me updated on your progress! Also, happy holidays!
I get up at 5:00 in the morning and that would be a long time til 10:00 and my breaks are 9:15 and 11:15 and 1:15 so not sure what time to eat my oatmeal and also can I have a healthy protein smoothie in the. Morning before I go to work? It would be around 150 cal work in a factory and on my feet all day plus work 6 days a week thanks!!!!
Hey Pam! I would say just pack a few healthy snacks that you can eat throughout the day. I don’t want you starving yourself!
I am starting this diet today I have a couple questions I get up at 5:00 in the morning and work from 7-3 my breaks are 15 min long so could I have a protein shake with unsweetened almond milk and organic whey protein 150 cal total on my 9:15 break? And my oatmeal at 11:15? Then my dinner at 5:00? And is it ok to use stevia as a sweetener in my tea and oatmeal? And can I use organic butter and stevia and cinnamon in my oatmeal? Thank you!!!!
Hey Pam, sorry for the late reply!
I think this plan sounds great! And a little bit of Stevia or organic butter shouldn’t hurt you. Let me know how it goes!
Happy holidays!
I lost 55 lbs last year but 20 of it has crept back on. Starting your plan tomorrow. Excited to lose that 20 lbs again!
I’m excited for you Lois, let me know how it went! ๐
Hi!
I was wondering would it be okay to have one cup of milk coffee each day along with this? So if I had Green Tea early in the morning and then continued throughout the day. But have one cup of coffee during my breakfast?
Thanks!
I think this would be perfectly fine Jansi. ๐
Hi, I’m working at night, how will I make this effective for me since sometimes just not to fall asleep, my option is to eat unhealthy (too much sweet) or drinking too much coffee plus I’m not too active during day time since most of the time I’m sleeping. Thanks
Drinking green tea with caffeine will help you stay awake. Also, cold water with lemon is an instant energy booster that’ll help you stay awake! Hope this helps!
Hi started the diet today!
One question though. I breastfeed and feel that will too much caffeine for my baby. I saw that we can do lemon water instead. Will that work?
That’ll work perfectly fine Susan! ๐
Hi, I started drinking green tea 2 weeks ago. I’ve been drinking about 6 cups a day and my diet hasn’t been too bad. I’ve tried to eat healthy. I have oatmeal with chia seeds for breakfast and I try have a small lunch of either cooked food or pro vitas and for dinner I cook. I’ve introduced more veggies and I drink only green tea in the day. So I’m not sure why I haven’t lost any weight. I do feel better ever since starting. Don’t feel bloated and fat but the scale won’t move. Please help
Hey Taryn!
Sometimes it just takes a week or so more to start seeing progress. May I ask if you ever have any cheat days or if you keep a food/calorie diary that lists all of your meals?
A couple of questions — sorry if asked before by others:
1. How much oatmeal for breakfast? When measuring are you speaking of the dry before cooking or the amount of cooked oatmeal?
2. Is there a way of working in an orange each day? If so when during the day would be best?
Hey Cathy! I’m talking about it being measured when dry and a half cup of oatmeal and a cup of water. ๐
And feel free to add an orange in during the time you should have lunch!
What if I can’t have green tea?
Hey Tina, I’m so sorry I got to your comment late! I’ve been so busy of late!
Now if you can’t have green tea, then you can just drink water. It also has awesome metabolism boosting benefits. ๐
Hello. I am quiet amazed at this diet. I have had 3 kids and am finding it difficult to lose the extra weight I put on during pregnancy. definitely giving this a try.
Hey Rene, I’m so sorry I got to your comment late! I’ve been so busy of late!
And I’m glad to hear this! Definitely looking forward to your results. ๐
Ii can drink the geen tea all day at work. I would have no problem drinking enough. I do have a concern about the times I can eat, since I work from 7:30 am to 7pm. Is it ok to eat that early in the morning and that late at night?
Hey Debra, I’m so sorry I got to your comment late! I’ve been so busy of late!
If need be, try having small healthy snacks throughout the day to help keep your energy up. ๐
I found that replacing half the meat in meals with kidney beans or chickpeas or lentils enabled me to lose 12kgs in a short time but have been on a plateau for about 3 weeks now so will buy some green tea.
Great advice Valerie! I’ll try that out myself! ๐
So I’m on my first day of doing this but for the past two days I only did the green tea so I could get used to it and I ate what I wanted and in 2 days I lost 2 lbs! So I can’t wait till tomorrow to see what my loss is when eating correctly
My question is how much did you originally weigh when you started this and how much do u weigh now if it’s not to inappropriate to ask I would really like to know. In the past 3 months I lost weight on my own and went from 274 to 250 and with the green tea the last 2 days I’m 248.2 so really excited but was curious of your results.
I understand I will loose more because I’m fluffier lol
Hey Areanna! No, it’s no inappropriate at all! I weighed around 145 pounds and once I lost all the weight, it went down to 130 (and sometimes even 128).
Also, I’m so happy for you! Losing weight can be hard, but I see that you have the perseverance to keep on going at it! ๐
I have been on your diet for 9 days now. On day 6 I had already lost 6lbs! BUT my anniversary was on day 6 and we went out to eat for lunch and I ate so much! I haven’t weighed since but I got back on track the very next day. So we shall see! Thanks!
The best wishes to you Amy! And you are most welcome! Also, happy anniversary. ๐
When you say 6-12 “cups”, are you referring to how many mugs you drink them from? Or using 8oz=1C as your reference? (so in other words 48oz-96oz?) Also, if you are talking about the mugs you drink the tea from, are they standard size, around 8-10oz ish? ??
Hey Jenny! I’m referring to how many mugs I drink them from. ๐ And yep! Standard size!
Hi, does it matter if the green tea is iced or hot in a mug?
Nope, either way works Anna. ๐
Hi, did you lose weight from diet alone and no exercise
Yes I did Tracy. ๐
Do you drink decaf or regular green tea? I think a cup or two a day with caffeine would be good for me. I just don’t want to be drinking so much caffeine each day. Most days I have good energy, and I get about 8 hours of sleep each night. What do you recommend? Yes, I agree that an apple with almond or cashew butter is delicious. Thanks so much for the tips!
Hey Anna, you can drink either decaf or regular. Whichever is best for your body. ๐ And thank you!
I would like to give this a try, but I HATE oatmeal!! I’ve tried & tried to like it, but no go! what else do you suggest for breakfast?
A banana (or apple) with almond butter will do just fine. It has enough protein to give you energy for the day. ๐
Thank you for this post! I’ve been struggling to lose weight for about a year now. I’ve been eating healthy and exercising daily, and have not lost one pound! It’s beyond frustrating. I’m hoping this will get me past this plateau that I seem to be stuck on.
I do have a question, though. I’m struggling with the oatmeal! I’ve never been an oatmeal person, but I know it’s so good at keeping you full. When adding your flavors, how much of each do you add? For example, how much butter and honey? I tried the honey+cocoa+milk today and added wayyyyyy to much cocoa and it’s just awful.
I don’t measure it out Mandy, but what I’d do is add a tiny bit at a time until it tastes just right. ๐
I’m unable to drink green tea due to its blood thinning properties. Is there any alternative you might suggest?
Well Stacy, drinking plenty of water will do the trick as well. ๐ It’s great for speeding up your metabolism.
What are your thoughts about doing this while pregnant? Any alterations you’d make? I’ll talk to my Dr. too. Just wanted your opinion.
I think I’d wait until sometime after the pregnancy. As for how long, I’d ask your doctor about that. ๐
I started this diet today I drink 2 cups coffee with sugar free french vanilla daily ate oatmeal with honey at 10 I had 100 calorie raw almonds at 2PM had dinner at 6 drank a lot of green tea all day we shall see if it works
Can’t wait to hear of your results Rita. ๐
I’m curious to know what your results have been.
I noticed that oatmeal (even instant) is referenced a lot. Do you recommend steel oats vs instant oatmeal? If instant is ok, flavored vs plain? Can’t wait to get started! Thank you!
To be honest, it doesn’t matter Tiffani. Just do what you like best. ๐
If I’m not mistaken the steel oats absorb a lot of liquid leaving you to add a little more milk to it in the mornings or whenever you eat it verses the regular old fashioned oats
Hi. I see that a lot of people are eating oatmeal…even instant. Do you recommend steel oats or is the instant microwaveable stuff (flavored vs plain) ok? Thank you. Can’t wait to get started!
To be honest, you can have whatever kind of oatmeal you want. It doesn’t matter. ๐
Good morning from London!
Love this diet plan, I know from past experience (working a full time job whilst looking after 2 very active girls I’d usually forget to eat lunch) that this type of plan really does work. Reading your blog has given me the motivation to start again.
If I could ask 2 quick questions before I start, how long would you recommend keeping to this diet or is a lifetime plan?
And would you perhaps know how much 1 cup of green tea is in millilitres? I can never get the metric conversion right!
Thanks a lot, keep up the good work ๐
Thank you so much Michelle!
I would recommend you do this until you’ve reached your desired weight, and then perhaps transition to a light lunch to keep to keep your weight stable. It’s honestly up to you, just make sure you do what’s healthy for your body. ๐
Good morning from London!
Love this diet plan, I know from past experience (working whilst looking after 2 very active girls I’d usually forget to eat lunch) that this type of plan really does work, reading your blog has given me the motivation to try it again ๐
If I could ask 2 quick questions before I start, how long would you recommend keeping to the plan, or is it a lifetime diet? And would you perhaps know how much 1 cup of green tea is in millilitres? I can never get the metric conversion right.
Thanks a lot ๐
Oh and 1 cup is 236 milliliters. ๐
I started this plan Monday morning weighing at 140 lbs, its Thursday night and I weighed 136 lbs. I’ve been eating oatmeal, 1 egg with 2 egg whites and fruit (berries or grapefruit) between 10 – 11 am, then 5 -6 PM I have dinner…….which consists of a mixture of either choice of steamed veggies and avocado, brown rice or sweet potato or beans, 6 oz salmon or 4 oz chicken and a grapefruit. Monday was a bit different as we had a celebration at work, so I ate a 3” turkey sub, baked lays chips and slice of cake at 12pm, dinner was 530 and normal – beans, veggie and chicken. Today I had a serving of baked lays chips as a snack at 330pm. I’m pleased with this plan, thanks. The weekend will be a true test though…..movies….popcorn…yikes
Wow! Thank you so much for your in-depth meal plan description! These are some great healthy options! I’m so glad you were able to loose some weight and feel great!
And don’t worry about the popcorn, it’s one of the healthiest snacks you can have since it’s so light and airy. ๐
Hi –
I have to take medicine in early in the morning but I can’t have an empty stomach. Do you think it would be okay to split my breakfast up into 2 light snacks (ie 1/2 cup of greek yogurt around 7AM and a banana around 10AM) ?
Hey Elizabeth! I think you should ask your physician. I wouldn’t feel good giving you advice that could harm you.
What other dinner meals do you use?
Well Jennifer, I usually search Pinterest for easy and healthy meals. I would however suggest Pinch of Yum, they’re an awesome food blog that has plenty of healthy dishes, especially if you want to lose weight. Hope this helps! ๐
Hello, could I drink a soy protein shake for lunch? It has 15g of protein.
Yes, that’s perfectly fine Ruby. ๐
How fast would it take to lose about 5kgs if I drink about 8-10 green tea cups a day without doing any exercise? And is it ok to drink it at room temp because I wont be able to drink it hot or cold as I am at work during the daytime?
Hey Madush! You would probably be able to lose 5kgs in about 3 weeks. And drinking green tea at room temp is just fine. ๐
Thank you so much. And I really like to have my green tea with ginger because it tastes so good. Hope that is ok. I’m really looking forward to see great results. ๐
That’s perfectly fine Madush! Ginger is great for you. ๐
How do I prepare the green tea ? And if I was to fill up a water bottle of 16oz how many bottles would u recommend me drink to get the full advantages of the green tea?
Hey Vanessa! I’d prepare the green tea in the microwave and heat it for about 1:10 or 1:25. If it steeps in water that’s too hot, it’ll get bitter. And 3-5 bottles should be fine; it’s all up to you. ๐
Ty so much! ? but wt about sweets? ?
You’re welcome, but what I’d suggest is to set up a certain day of the week and have that one (or 2) thing to splurge on. That way, you’re not going crazy for sweets and other things you crave.
I have 8 oz of lemon water in the mornings before anything else and then half hr or so later I have my coffee with stevia. Then around 11 I have brunch which is more like oatmeal or eggs with whole wheat or flaxseed toast. Water or half green tea and half decaffeinated green tea and I can tell I have lost weight
This is great Margaret! I’m so happy to hear this! I can’t wait to hear more about your weight loss success! ๐
I started your diet few days ago and I can already see that i’m losing weight! It’s a bit hard, especially the first days but now I’m completely fine with this meal plan. I’ve just one question: this weekend some friends invite me for a dinner out and of course I’m going but should I eat during the day? The dinner will be around 8pm.. Should I don’t eat anything from breakfast, have a snack or eat a small lunch? At what time?
I totally get it, it is pretty hard at first, but I’m so glad to hear of your success! Keep on giving me updates of your progress! ๐
And I’m so sorry I was late in answering this (I’ve been so busy of late), but for future reference, I think you’ll be fine. If it’s just something you do once in awhile, it won’t hurt your weight loss goals. Just so long as you don’t over eat, you should be fine.
PS – Once hack for eating out; get a to-go box at the beginning of the meal and put half of the meal into the box and close it. That way you’re eating half as much and half the calories (which is great since restaurant portions are so big).
Thank you for your answer! I continue to see results even if I went out for dinner last weekend and that’s what I was looking for on a diet plan. Maybe I badly express myself last time (english is not my native language), but I was wandering what should I eat during the day in the case of a dinner at a restaurant. Should I just eat my breakfast at 10 am and anything else till the dinner at the restaurant around 8 pm? Or it is ok if have a snack such as fruits or vegetables?
Thank you very much again for the suggestions!
A healthy snack of fruit and vegetables is just fine Lara. ๐
If first meal is at 10am and second meal is at 5pm and you have 6-10c of tea throughout the day, what time does this person get up in the morning and go to bed at night?
Usually they would get up around 9AM (or earlier) and go to bed around 9-10PM. I get it that not everyone has this kind of schedule (especially when it comes to getting up early for work). They could be getting up around 6AM which would mean they would have to eat their breakfast earlier. This is fine, and I would suggest eating a healthy snack at mid day if this is the case.
Should I drink any thing else
Green tea has water in it already, but I wouldn’t steer you away from drinking just plain water. Sometimes water is the only thing your body needs in certain moments.
I have Matcha green tea. Would you recommend this or just use regular? And if so, would it be 6-10 cups of matcha?
Hey Carrie, Matcha is AMAZING. I would however suggest that you half it to 3-5 cups a day as Matcha is much more strong and you don’t need as much. But to be honest, I don’t see the harm in drinking 6-10 cups of it (except that you might be up pretty late).
I’m up at 5 in the morning, having breakfast at 10 am would be too late for me. Anything that I can have to not feel hungry until then?
Hey Galina! Take a healthy snack with you so you don’t go hungry for too long. I would suggest a cut up apple with peanut butter or a smoothie. I hope this helps! ๐
So adding a little raw unfiltered honey is ok?
I normally suggest not to add anything just in case, but a small amount shouldn’t hurt. ๐
What about healthy snacks? Or do you only eat the 2 meals and thats it?
Well Andrea, I would suggest just having the 2 meals, but if you do need a healthy snack then I would suggest a cut up apple (honeycrisp of course because that’s the best) with peanut, almond, or cashew butter (yeah, that last one is amazing, just so you know). If that’s not something you’d like then cut up a banana into half a cup of low fat plain yogurt w/ 1-2 tsp. of cinnamon mixed (the combo is pretty tasty). I hope this helps! ๐
Can u drink any type of tea or does it have to be green tea??
Hey Andrea! Green tea has an antioxidant in it called catechin which boosts your metabolism and has you burning those calories. So to answer your question, it does; green tea is just that amazing. ๐
Ok I’m at 175lbs and I’m going to do this EXACTLY like you posted see you in a week hopefully thinner or fifteen days I mean….
Can’t wait to hear about you success Donna! ๐
Sooo? How did it go, Donna?
Donna , we’re waiting for your results. How did you do?
Thanks for these tips! I was wondering do you need to finish the tea consumption by a certain time in the day to get the metabolic benefits or did you drink the tea all throughout the day into the afternoon?
Hey Marisa! You can drink the green tea all throughout the day and get the same metabolic benefits. ๐
What about dinner
Hey Nicole! Here are a few of my favorite go-to dinner recipes. 15 Minute Coconut Curry Noodle Soup (I use thicker whole grain noodles though and donโt be intimidated by the coconut or red curry. You can get non-spicy red curry and the coconut is coconut milk which comes in cans and tastes nothing like artificial coconut), spaghetti squash lasagna bowls, Healthy Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup, and Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos. I hope this helps and donโt feel afraid to ask me for different recipes if none of these sound good to you. ๐
I been drinking Arizona Zero Calorie Green Tea with Ginseng it does have 10 mg Sodium <1 Carbohydrate and <1 Sugars (honey), is this ok? Thanks
Hey Linda, it depends. Does it have any fructose, high fructose corn syrup, or any other ingredients other than the ones you already listed?
Other ingredients are Ascorbic, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium.
Sucralose is a type of sweetener that isn’t good for your health. I think I would stay away from it and drink regular iced green tea. I know I say you shouldn’t use any sweeteners, but if you do need some, then a touch of honey shouldn’t hurt. ๐
Thanks for this, I can’t wait to try it out. However I find that eating a typical breakfast makes me lose out on veggies I could be eating. I decided to just make it so I have an early “lunch”. Basically a salad with veggies and 2 boiled eggs and a small amount of salad dressing. I’m wondering how small is ‘small’ when it comes to breakfast. Could you give other examples of this please? ๐
Hey Meg, sure! Another example could be 2-3 scrambled eggs or 1 egg on toast (spreading avocado on the egg with toast could be an option as well). I hope this helps! Also, your breakfast sounds great! ๐
Some great tips right there. I’m definitely tweeting this to my followers, even though I have a few of them.
Take care!
Hey, thanks so much Mark! I’m glad I was able to help you. ๐
Do I really have to skip lunch? I’m on my feet all day chasing around two kids. I’d have a really hard time without that energy boost. I’m sure I wouldn’t lose as much weight but I’m ok with that.
Hey Marcia, I’m sure if your lunch is low calorie and healthy, you’ll do just fine. ๐ And I understand that everyone’s situation is different, so do what’s right for you.
Hi. I am disabled and usually just sit all day as I cannot walk at all, not even with a walker. Would these things work for me?
Hey Sherri! I don’t see why not. But I’d definitely talk to your doctor just to make sure that this is right for you. ๐
Hi! I have a few questions. One; is a chai green tea okay? Two; do you have any recomended healthy recipes for dinner? And three; is it okay to have watermelon for “lunch” or does it have to much natural sugars in it? Thanks! TJ
Hey TJ! chai green tea should be perfectly fine! And yes I do! Here are a few links to some awesome go-to dinners that I love to make ๐ 15 Minute Coconut Curry Noodle Soup (I use thicker whole grain noodles though and don’t be intimidated by the coconut or red curry. You can get non-spicy red curry and the coconut is coconut milk which comes in cans and tastes nothing like artificial coconut), spaghetti squash lasagna bowlsHealthy Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup, and Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos. Just let me know if you need any other examples!
Also, watermelon should be just fine. ๐
Hi! I think that this might have already been asked, but if i only have chai green tea at my house right now, would that be okay? Also, i know that earliar in the commets that someone asked you about what to eat for dinner, and you replied with finding a healthy recipe and eating tell your full. So my question is do you have any recommended ones that you have made in the past? Thanks!
Hey Tina! chai green tea is perfectly fine! ๐ Also, here are a few of my favorite go-to dinner recipes. 15 Minute Coconut Curry Noodle Soup (I use thicker whole grain noodles though and don’t be intimidated by the coconut or red curry. You can get non-spicy red curry and the coconut is coconut milk which comes in cans and tastes nothing like artificial coconut), spaghetti squash lasagna bowlsHealthy Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup, and Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos. I hope this helps and don’t feel afraid to ask me for different recipes if none of these sound good to you.
I’ve been drinking a mixture of green tea and chaj tea. Both are good for weight loss. However, I have to put sugar in mine due to being a pre-diabetic
Both are great Layni, and if you have to do that for your health, then don’t worry. ๐
I have tried your diet. Although I am an active person too. But this is a great plan to help you stick to being healthy. I have reaped good results fast. Anyway, I have found a great breakfast choice is half a grapefruit cut in the fashion that you can use a sharp spoon too eat it with. You don’t have to eat it with a spoon either, but grapefruit is such a healthy choice especially if you are trying to boost the immune system.
This is so awesome! And I agree, grapefruit is such a healthy option. ๐
Can you use stevia? Also, should you be drinking a lot of water or is the tea enough liquids?
Hey Julie! Yes, you can use stevia, just make sure it’s a small amount. And I would say that the tea should be just fine, but I wouldn’t steer you away from drinking plain water either. ๐
I have two cups of coffee every morning with half & half & 2 packets of Splenda…can I still have this? If so, do I need to drink any green tea before or is after ok? Thank You!!
Hey Tracy! Perhaps if you cut it down to one coffee, it would be better. But if not, I’m sure it would be fine if you’re having it early enough in the day. One suggestion I would have would be to drink 1-2 cups of water (instead of green tea) before drinking the coffee. Water first thing in the morning flushes all the toxins out of your system and gives your metabolism a nice boost. ๐
Is there a certain name brand green tea, just get the green tea bags form Walmart is ok
This is perfectly fine Regina. ๐
Hi Sue, thanks for this diet plan, I’m definitely going to give it a go! Question: I love my morning decaf coffee (no sugar, just cream)…would I have to give it up completely during the diet…or do you think I could still have the morning coffee and then get the 6-10 cups in throughout the day? Sorry if its a silly question, just don’t want to sabotage myself by later finding the coffee and cream completely messed up the diet!
Hey Liz! This isn’t a silly question at all! If you’re having it early enough in the day, I’m sure it’ll be just fine. ๐
Can I count green tea Kombucha they say the fruit sugar is used up in the fermentation process ?
Hey Sue, kombucha does have weight loss benefits, but I’m not sure if the green tea benefits would be negated during the fermentation process. It’s definitely worth a try though! ๐
If I drink it cold can I add a couple slices of lemon or lime
Totally! Lemon (and I’m sure lime) has been known to promote weight loss. Put as much in it as you like.
Does it have to be plain green tea, or can I use green tea with pomegranate, lemon etc. ?
Do you mean flavored green tea bags or bottled flavored green tea? Flavored green tea bags are just fine, there’s nothing in them that would promote weight gain. However if you’re drinking bottled flavored green tea, you have to watch out for artificial sweeteners and preservatives (even sugar found in fruit can make you gain weight). I hope this helps!
When you say 6-10 cups, do you mean glasses themselves or like actual cups of tea?
Hello Ellie! When I say cups, I mean glasses (or mugs in my case since I drank it hot). I hope this helps! ๐
Just to make sure I understand you don’t go by ounces? I have a 20 oz water bottle I use all day everyday so if I was to drink one of those it would be considered a glass/cup? Also can you do both the tea and lemon water?
Hey Lisa, a 20 oz water bottle would be around 2 and half cups. An you can totally do this; lemon water is also a great drink for weight loss.
Because of my medical condition, I have to have my husband cook, and most times he doesn’t like to make dinner until 6:30 or 7:00pm. Would that be okay?
Well Kasey, I think you’d have to talk to your doctor about that. I don’t want to give you advice that could harm you.
What about dinner? You gave examples of a breakfast, but what would be a good idea about dinner?
That’s a great point Christin! To be honest, when it came to dinner, I would go on Pinterest (which is basically my online cookbook). Then I’d pick something easy and healthy through search or one of my boards, and make that. As for portion size, I’d eat until I was full but not uncomfortably full. So if I still had a little too much on my plate, I’d put it back. I hope that helps! ๐
If you drink lemon water every morning it is the best thing for you it flushes out all toxins in your body and will help you loose weight
What about Stevia as a sweetener?
I’m sure Stevia would be fine. ๐
stevia is still sugar
๐
Well if you do need a bit of sweetener, then I’m sure a touch of honey/stevia wouldn’t hurt. ๐
Stevia is not sugar. It’s the leaves of the stevia plant. It is not even technically sweet. It’s sweet taste is a chemical trick on your brain. A totally natural one at that.
green tea has a lot of caffeine, can you use decaf?
Yes you can! ๐
Hi Silas & Grace! I just bought green tea this Saturday and I have to go to school, can I make green tea with lemon in cold water?
Hey, yeah you totally can! Besides, lemon is great for weight loss. ๐
Hi! Can you snacks in between ? Like velero hummus, veggies etc…
Thanks
I don’t see why you couldn’t have a small healthy snack like that. ๐
I am completely sold. I did green tea in the mornings and a light snack (water melon or apples and once a week a handful of crackers and nuts), then a range of salads at 4pm. Had my cheat day on Saturday and Sunday. I saw the results cos I started to drop the inches within one week but I was a bit impatient and went bootcamp. I dropped 6kg( what’s that in pounds?) in about 3 wks. Now I can’t keep up everyday bootcamp but intend to balance out with some other exercise at least 3 times a week. I am definitely going to try your style ‘cos I believe it will make the difference I need now. Great stuff, thank you.
Hey Dilys! I’m so glad that my diet plan has been helping you out! Way to go for healthy food choices, you’re rocking this!
I have been buying the gallon of citrus flavored green tea , is that not the same ????
Hey Sherry! Flavored drinks usually have a lot of calories due to artificial flavors and sweeteners. I’d definitely try drinking homemade green tea so that you know exactly whats going into it. ๐
Is Lipton green tea sufficient? Or does it need to be purchased at a health food store?