Most health professionals, including experts at the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, recommend 1 to 2 lbs. per week as a safe rate of weight loss. Other experts recommend a more moderate pace of 1/2 to 1 lb. per week. Under these guidelines, you could safely lose 3 and 1/2 to 14 lbs.

No single meal plan will suit everyone's preferences and lifestyle. However, using a meal plan with diverse whole foods and reduced calories will help you lose 100 lbs. in about one year. Keep your weight-loss plan interesting by substituting different low-calorie ingredients from day to day.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that balance all body functions, including your metabolism. Your metabolism converts food into energy, and is partly responsible for your weight.

Extra pounds in your chest and the resulting bulge around the back of your bra line can cause sore shoulders, slouching and back pain. You may also be self-conscious when the extra fat rolls show through fitted clothing.

Eight weeks is an ambitious time frame to see the results of a lifestyle change, and, in some cases, it's not enough time to completely destroy your belly fat. Work hard for eight weeks, though, and you'll likely see some noticeable results, even if you don't completely meet your goal during that time.

Losing 10 lbs. in four weeks takes discipline and a strict diet. The foods you eat reflect the number that is revealed when you step on the scale. It takes more than a workout to keep a steady weight loss.

Getting and staying in shape after the age of 55 can be very difficult, but it is not impossible. Habits are ingrained at that point in life, and few people really want to do the work to change those habits. You may say you want to do it, but actually making the effort is a huge commitment.

One week isn't a long time--certainly not enough to lose large amounts of weight. But teens looking to lose weight quickly, whether it be for the prom, spring break or for any reason, often stand a better shot of shedding multiple pounds in that span than do adults.

If you are suffering from excess belly fat, you may want to increase your fish oil intake. Fish oils contain a fatty acid known as omega-3 which cannot be produced by the body and must therefore be taken in through food.

Weight training isn't the only way to lose belly fat, but it is an effective way. It also helps prevent you from piling on extra pounds.

Fat loss takes time, and the best results come slowly -- 1 to 2 pounds a week. Burning off a significant amount of belly fat in 10 days is practically impossible.

Although the benefits of breastfeeding increase the longer you nurse, for some mothers, a long breastfeeding relationship just isn't possible. Even if you can only nurse your baby for two weeks, the benefits to both you and your infant are measurable.