Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight can attest to how difficult it is to do, and how difficult it is to maintain motivation. In today’s world we are used to getting things fast, and that desire for speed extends to our own expectations for weight loss whenever we embark upon a weight loss diet. Unfortunately, it can be very challenging to lose weight rapidly; it can also be dangerous.

The Dangers of a Rapid Weight Loss Diet

When we lose weight too quickly we face many risks. Among them are a lack of nutrition which can cause health problems, and a failure to successfully learn better eating habits which allows us to regain the weight after we stop our weight loss diet.

The physical danger in a weight loss diet is about nutrition. Proper nutrition is important throughout life, but especially when we are on a weight loss diet. Without sufficient nutrition we can become tired or sick, which is unhealthy but also makes it more difficult to exercise and affect the desired weight loss. In severe cases, insufficient nutrition during an extreme weight loss diet can cause illnesses and damage to body systems, particularly muscles which can be eaten away at by the body itself when it does not get sufficient protein. In fact, studies have shown that during a weight loss diet as much as 25 percent of the weight lost comes from losing muscle. Obviously, it is fat loss that we are seeking during a weight loss diet, so this loss of muscle is an unwelcome side affect.

There is also an emotional or habitual problem with a quick weight loss diet. The fact is that maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime requires changing one’s eating habits. To lose weight quickly many people embark on a weight loss diet that involves depriving themselves or eating only a single food, but this is rarely effective long term. To maintain weight loss a person needs to learn to make healthier eating choices on a daily basis and to work special treats into their diet as an occasional treat. Short term deprivation is not effective for long term weight maintenance.

Safely Embarking on a Quick Weight Loss Diet

Most doctors and nutritionist agree that losing one pound a week is the healthiest way to long-term weight loss. Even losing two or three pounds a week can be done in a very healthful way, while learning good eating habits. While three pounds is usually the suggested maximum, it can be possible to lose weight more quickly, losing as many as seven to ten pounds a week. In fact, such rapid weight loss is common to people who have had bariatric surgery. Rapid weight loss can also happen if one embarks on a very ambitious exercise program, exercising for hours each day, every day of the week. When one begins efforts at this type of extreme diet it is important to regularly consult a doctor and nutritionist to ensure proper nutrition, helping to lose fat instead of muscle and to stay healthy.