Tips for losing the first 5%?

I need to lose 5% before surgery.  The surgeon won't even schedule the surgery until I've shown that I can lose it.  My 5% is 12lbs.  I have gained and lost 12lbs over the last 20+ years... no problem.  Do you think I can get this to budge now that I HAVE to have it gone?  NO!

So, any tips to get this off would be great!  I've been trying to drink water/crystal light regularly, about 48 oz. a day (trying to build up to the 64 oz. after surgery), I've cut out sugar and carbs, and I'm eating more protein and veggies.

For this week I have to use a pedometer to get my normal weekly walking average, so next week I can add more walking, so hopefully that will help to move this mountain of fat off me.

 I hear you, I had to lose 20lbs before I could get a date. I went on an 800-900 cal/day diet. 2 protein shakes, 2 snacks and one small meal a day. I lost the 20 in about 8-9 weeks. You can do it too!!!! :)

It's summer and a great time for salads with lean protein.  If you have to have a dressing use a little of  the spritzer type.  Leave off the croutons and such and go for the greens and colorful veggies.  If you drink a lot of water, walk or exercise and replace two meals with low sugar high  protein drinks you should drop it easily.  Cutting out the sugar and carbs (white products as rice, flour, pasta, sugar)  you are setting yourself up for a good pre op and post op.  I am one of those that once I cut it out of my diet  for a few weeks, I no longer want or crave it.   Wishing all the best in your journey.

I second what lisa said..

cut the calories along with what youre already doing..also , add a workout in even if its just moderate walking and you will be just fine.

I didnt work out at all and lost 10lbs 2 weeks preop just doing the minimum. 

We had to lose 8% before and were all put on Optifast for 4 weeks.  It worked for everyone plus set up good habits.  5 shakes a day plus 1 small food meal of protein, fruit and veggies.  No starchy carbs. 

 i ate about 1000-1200 calories a day and walked. not only did i lose the 14 lbs i needed to but also an extra 10. :P i drank 5-6 bottles of water a day. and pee'd all the time. :) 

I had to lose 13 lbs, so we're very close to how much we had to lose pre-surgery.

I did what you did.  I cut out sugar and carbs, beefed up protein and veggies.  I also watched my portion sizes and cut back on snacking big time.

I quit drinking pop and started intaking more water and walking.  Good luck!!!  It'll come off!

 I wouldn't recommend going to 800-900 calories unless you have nutritionist you are talking to.  A low calorie intake like that needs to be monitored.  My nutritionist had me on 1100-1200 calories a day - 64 oz of water.  Water is necessary to help you lose weight.  You'll actually hold off losing weight if you do not drink enough. 

Here is the deal - to lose 1 lb of fat it takes 3500 calories.  

So, if you average currently 3000 calories in a day (Which is not abnormal some people are even higher) it would be 21,000 calories for the week. 

If you cut down to 1200 calories for a day it would be 8400 calories for a week. 

This gives you a deficit of 12,600 calories that you are now not eating.  

12,600/3500=3.6 lbs per week loss on average

Now this will change if say your calorie intake is naturally lower like 2500 calories each week. 

9100/3500=2.6 lbs per week loss average 

To increase this possiblity to lose that average you also need to add in exercise if possible.  For example I lost 17 lbs plus 4 more lbs because I worked out 4 days a week and burned about 500-600 calories per work out.  I was basically taking in only 600-700 calories a day after i burned off the calories at the gym.  My calorie intake was 1200 a day. 

Key is here - whatever calories you burn DO NOT add them back into the total allowed for the day.  Often trackers will take your 1200 calories and then you work out for 300 cal and they add them back in as your allowed in take.  

As for food this was a day in my world: 

Morning: 
7 AM - Protein Drink
9 AM - Piece of Fruit

Afternoon - 
11:00 AM - Lean cusine meal (200-300 cal max) + a veggie

3:30-4 PM (Before Gym) - Protein Drink or Piece of Fruit or Veggies

Evening: 
6:00 PM - Lean Cuisine + Veggies

If I was hungry I'd add in Cucumber slices, Celery, Broccoli - anything low cal that would fill me up.  Drink LOTS of water. 

Hope this helps!! If you have any questions let me know. hahaha 

I was on a diet 5-6 weeks before surgery. Surgeon wanted me to lose 15 lbs, I lost 26 lbs. I used Walmart's version of Slim Fast. The first week, I substituted one meal with the SF. The next 3.5 weeks, I substituted 2 meals with SF. The last week, I did all SF. Unfortunately, I had an injured knee, so I couldn't exercise.

My doctor required a liver reduction diet: no carbs ( pasta, potatoes, bread,sugar desserts,) no carbonated beverages, no caffeine, no fruit, no fruit juice. I was to lose 25 lbs and I lost 35 lbs in 4 .5 months. I didn't think it was possible so give it a full effort try and you may be surprised. My blood sugar came down too.