About a year ago Jason Taylor of Lee's Summit, Mo., considered the shape he was in and thought a... Getting in shape fast is do

About a year ago Jason Taylor of Lee's Summit, Mo., considered the shape he was in and thought about his beachside wedding in the Bahamas, which was just months away.

Chris Newland, owner of the Bodyshop in Kansas City, Mo., frequently hears such desires from fitness clients. They want to get in great shape for an event — a reunion, a wedding, a holiday gathering — just eight weeks or so away.

"There's time in a couple months to get good results," said Newland, who also prepares clients for bodybuilding and fitness competitions. "The biggest thing is consistency."

That means consistent exercise and consistently eating four to six smaller, well-balanced meals every day, he said. Losing 3 percent to 5 percent body fat and 8 to 12 pounds in four weeks is doable, Newland said. The challenge is to retain and build lean muscle while letting go of the fat.

Taylor, 29, got it done. He's 6-foot-1, dropped from 225 to 200 pounds and lowered his body fat percentage from 15 to 8 in about two-and-a-half months.

Taylor stuck to 2,100 calories a day. Most of his carbohydrates came at breakfast, and he eliminated refined sugar. He used an elliptical machine six mornings a week and varied his weightlifting regimen.

5. Lift weights to increase lean muscle mass, which helps burn fat while at rest, and do low-intensity, longer-duration cardiovascular training, also to burn fat.

6. Eat moderate amounts of healthy fats. That means, for example, fish oils, flaxseed oil and olive oil. Reduce saturated and trans fats. Remember that avoiding fats altogether is unhealthy.

This is cache, read story here