This is a deletion - look for an indicator word that suggests removing or losing certain letters from another word.
'lose' is the deletion indicator - start with 'told ally' and remove 'three pounds' (the letter that appears three times) from it.
Answer: TODAY | 'Told ally' contains the letters T-O-L-D-A-L-L-Y. 'Lose three pounds' means remove the letter L (which appears three times, like three pounds in weight). Removing all three L's from TOLD ALLY gives TODAY.