In order to lose weight, you’ll need to cut out some calories from your diet.  Typically, cutting out about 500 calories daily will result in a 1-2 pound weight loss per week. However, if you’re aiming to lose 5 pounds in 5 days, you may need to cut out more calories. Most health professionals recommend not limiting calories to less than 1200 daily. When you consume less than this amount is difficult to get adequate amounts of the required nutrients you need each day.  However, if you want to follow a very low-calorie diet just for a few days, you most likely will not have many adverse side effects. Typical side effects of very low-calorie diets (diets that are about 800 – 1,000 calories daily) include tiredness, fatigue, headache, mental fogginess, and lack of energy. Always consult your physician first. Do not start a very low-calorie diet without medical supervision. Studies have shown that one of the quickest diets for weight loss is a low-carb diet. It helps you lose more fat mass and also helps you lose some water weight. Although this is not recommended as a long-term diet, following this plan for five days should be safe.  A low-carb diet is one that limits or restricts foods that contain carbohydrates. These types of foods include grains, starchy vegetables, dairy products and fruits. It’s not healthy or smart to avoid all foods containing carbohydrates. You’d be limiting four out of the five food groups and be unable to consume the vital nutrients your body needs to function. Limit foods that are mostly carbohydrates and do not provide a significant amount of other nutrients. These include grains and starchy vegetables. Nutrients from these foods can also be found in other food groups. If you choose to include some carbs, aim to only have one to two servings daily. This would be 1 ounce or ½ cup of grains, ½ cup of fruit or 1 cup of starchy vegetables. For fast weight loss, limit carbs and make most of your meals “lean and green.” This means focusing mostly on lean proteins and green or non-starchy vegetables.  Include a serving or two of lean protein at every meal. One serving is typically about 3 – 4 oz or the size of a deck of cards.  Lean protein foods include eggs, poultry, lean beef, pork, nuts, and seafood. Low-fat dairy products and legumes can also count as lean protein, but you may be limiting these due to their carb content. The other half of your meal should be a non-starchy vegetable. Aim for one to two servings at each meal. One serving is 1 cup or 2 cups of leafy greens.  Examples of meals fitting the “lean and green” criteria include grilled salmon over a spinach salad, stir-fry vegetables and grilled chicken or zucchini spaghetti and meatballs. It’s very important to stay adequately hydrated – especially when you’re trying to lose weight quickly. The myth is that dehydrating the body is a good way to lose water weight, but limiting salty foods and cleansing out the body with plain water is what can help reduce excess "water weight."  Hydration plays a very important role in your overall health. It helps maintain your body temperature, protect your organs and even lubricates your joints. Most health professionals suggest consuming about eight to 13 glasses of water or other hydrating fluids daily. This amount will vary depending on your age, gender and activity level. In addition to maintaining adequate hydration status, drinking fluids can also aid in weight loss. It’s been suggested to drink one to two glasses of water before a meal to help cut down on your portions or if you’re feeling hungry.  Aim to only consume no-calorie, hydrating beverages like water, flavored water, unsweetened coffee and tea. Pass on drinks like juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, sodas, and alcohol. If you’re interested in losing 5 pounds in five days, it’s best to cut out or significantly limit snacking.  Although snacks can be a part of a healthy diet, they may not allow you to lose the 5 pounds in five days. If you’re choosing to snack, stick with your focus of “lean and green.” Choose foods that are higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates. Also, keep snacks to 150 calories or less. This will help keep you on track with your overall calorie limit.  Appropriate snacks include 1 hard boiled egg, 3 oz of beef jerky, 2 ounces of cheese or 1 high-protein bar/shake. Some foods are more prone to causing gas or bloating. Although this doesn’t necessarily account for weight loss on the scale, limiting these foods can help you feel slimmer.  When digested, some foods create excess gas. This may make you feel or look bloated and make it more difficult to fit into or feel comfortable in a tighter pair of pants or skirt. Gas-forming foods include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, beans, lentils, garlic, and onions. Chewing gum or drinking carbonated beverages can cause also unwanted gas or bloating.

Summary: Cut calories. Restrict carbohydrates. Make your meals lean and green. Drink adequate fluids. Limit snacking. Limit gas-producing foods.


When you feel the urge to play with your hair, redirect yourself. Select activities that require you to be focused, but not to the point that you lose awareness of your hair playing behavior. Activities such as reading, playing a video game, watching a movie, and writing may be activities that increase the likelihood of your hair playing. Playing a game outdoors or taking your dog for a walk can be great distractions.  Some activities, thoughts and feelings may increase your urge to play with your hair. If you catch yourself immediately say, “Stop," then find a substitute activity. For example, if you are talking to someone and you start to play with your hair, grab a pen to hold, or even sit on your hands.  Observe the number of times you need to distract yourself from playing with your hair. This will help you understand the severity of your habit. You will likely notice a high frequency in the beginning stages; but that leaves a lot of room for celebrating your improvements. There are a lot of possibilities such as baking a cake, playing a sport, making something from metal or wood, frosting some cookies, shopping for clothing, building a rock garden, painting with both hands (give it a try), doing handstands, grooming your pet, or playing a musical instrument, etc.  Not only will you stop playing with your hair, but you could have a lot of fun too. Find new and exciting things to do that you’ve never done before. Be adventurous. You may discover a new and rewarding interest. Worry stones may help you dispel the nervous energy that is causing you to play with your hair. These are smooth stones that are made for you to play with and rub. They have also been successfully used to help smokers deal with fidgeting as they quit smoking. You can find them online or in some health or new age stores. Playing with your hair can be a sign that you feel anxious or bored, which means it's important to deal with the cause rather than take it out on your hair. If you're feeling anxious, there are many calming techniques you could try. Talking to someone who will lend an ear, will help you process your feelings. If you are bored, then find a way to entertain yourself.  Try meditation or yoga, which will help you focus on your breath and will teach you to be calm.  Find other soothing behaviors that will help you manage your anxiety. Simply talking to yourself (out loud or silently) in a positive way will help. Tell yourself, “I’m safe and I am taking care of myself and everything is going to be okay, and I don’t need to play with my hair.”  A sure cure for boredom is to get busy doing the things you need to do. Make a list and check off each item as you complete it.
Summary: Find healthy distractions. Keep both hands busy to prevent you from playing with your hair. Assess your anxiety or boredom levels.