Is Rapid Weight Loss Healthy?

We’ve all been there: Christmas is over, and you suddenly realize summer is just around the corner. The magazines in the checkout line are practically shouting their headlines at you:

“Lose weight fast!” “30 Days to Your Dream Body!”

It’s tempting to believe their claims and try them for yourself before you hit the beach, but just how healthy and effective are these rapid weight loss methods?

EXPERTS CONSIDER A WEIGHT LOSS RATE OF 1-2 POUNDS PER WEEK TO BE HEALTHY AND SAFE FOR MOST INDIVIDUALS

Faster loss can not only be an unpleasant experience in the midst of the regimen but can actually cause many other serious and long-term health problems.

These issues include gallstones, electrolyte imbalances, muscle loss, slower metabolism, and general malnutrition.

It’s also important to be wary of unproven and suspicious weight loss pills, diets, and supplements on the market.

Such products promise dramatic results but don’t have any basis of success or safety.

In most cases, the only truly proven approaches for fast weight loss are VLCDs (very low-calorie diets) and weight loss surgery.

These are options  medical providers may recommend to a significantly overweight patients as the danger of obesity might present a real need to lose weight quickly.

SO WHAT IS A PROVEN APPROACH TO HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS?

It's not necessarily a "quick fix", but for those looking to lose a moderate amount of weight and keep it off, a sustainable combination of calorie reduction and physical activity is likely the healthiest and most effective approach.

Additional steps like decreasing intake of refined sugars and increasing intake of proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats often promote further success.

A weight loss calculator can help determine the right amount of weight loss for your body. For additional and in-depth support and guidance, consider consulting local nutritional and medical professionals here in Orange City to determine the best plan of action for your weight loss journey.