Rapid Weight Loss
Every person wants to lose as much weight as possible in the shortest period of time. Analysts predict that dieters will spend as much as 35 billion dollars a year on weight loss programs in the US alone. It is better to know a few facts about rapid weight loss before you fall victim to one of the innumerable weight loss fads available.
There is no such thing as rapid weight loss. Theoretically, it is possible to lose as much as 20 pounds of weight per week. But, you would have lost water, not body fat. Moreover, if you haven’t taken any strength training, you would have lost muscle, which comprises one fourth of the body weight. As soon as you get off your diet, you will find that you have regained weight just as fast as you have lost it.
A normal human body can lose two pounds a week. Some people find it possible to lose around three to four pounds a week. Any program that claims to help you lose more than this is a sham, and it is not advisable to invest time and money in it.
Rapid weight loss brings with it several dangers. It is closely associated with the appearance of gall stones. Obese people who have lost weight rapidly could find themselves facing a cosmetic horror—loose skin. You might also develop nutritional deficiencies.
Rapid weight loss could also lead to eating disorders. Excessively weight conscious people could end up starving themselves, a condition known as anorexia. It could happen the other way round too. Following a diet that deprives you of your favorite foods could lead to an excessive craving for food, and this could lead to a condition of over eating, and then forcing yourself to vomit, a condition known as bulimia.
Taking these facts into consideration, it is better to adopt a ‘go-slow’ policy where losing weight is concerned. Doctors would agree that this is the best weight loss policy.
Never start a weight loss program without consulting your doctor. It is better to stick to a comfortable diet and exercise plan, and aim at losing a couple of pounds per week, if you want long-term weight loss. If you rush it, you could find yourself facing a lot of unforeseen health complications.
Filed under: Diet Programs
