There are some medical risks associated with rapid weight loss. Losing more than 2 or 3 pounds per week poses some danger of negative health consequences, including electrolyte imbalance — a potentially life-threatening condition.
Another common danger of rapid weight loss is that people often use unsafe methods to achieve it, like starving themselves or eliminating several essential nutrients. We've all seen too many of these ridiculous gimmicks fail. Remember the cabbage soup diet?
These diets are unhealthy to begin with, but people often combine them with dangerous over-the-counter weight-loss products that promise almost magical results. The marketing behind these products is huge, yet the science to ensure their safety and efficacy is frequently lacking, despite the manufacturers' claims.
Research comparing rapid initial weight loss with slower, steadier weight loss shows that over the long run more people who lost weight rapidly, or who initially lost large amounts of weight, tended to regain the weight more quickly. After a year, people who lost quickly ultimately ended up in about the same place as the ones who took a more gradual approach.
Safe, effective weight loss involves making small, sustainable changes in diet and adding reasonable amounts of physical activity to your day. Focus on realistic portion control and healthy food choices, and work toward 10,000 steps a day. Also, try to identify and address any emotional and situational triggers that throw you off track, so you can adjust to life's challenges without turning to food or other unhealthy habits.
Why starve and deprive yourself on the way to the finish line? Slow and steady really does win the race.
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