If you have difficulty staying motivated when you try and lose weight, losing your weight as quickly as possible may seem like a positive option. In your effort to shed pounds quickly, you can expect severe restrictions in food choices and amounts. These restrictions are often a significant departure from your regular diet. Consequently, even if you manage to lose some weight, maintaining your weight loss is a challenge. Consult with your health care provider before you start any type of diet.
Considerations
Your body requires adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber daily. By drastically lowering the amount of food you consume, you increase the probability that your body will not get enough essential nutrients. Also, many fast weight loss programs become monotonous and boring, which makes them difficult for you to follow long term. The American Heart Association (AHA) does state, however, that some medical facilities will place selected patients on extremely low calorie diets. In general, the AHA recommends losing between one and two pounds per week, while following a nutritionally balanced diet.
Starvation Diets
According to Shirley A, Kindrick, PhD., a starvation diet cuts your calorie intake to less than 50 percent of what your body requires. During the first few days of severe caloric restriction, the body will burn stored glycogen for energy. You can expect to lose several pounds of water weight during the first days, as well. After glycogen stores are depleted, the body begins breaking down lean body mass for energy. Lean body mass, or muscle tissue, is primarily responsible for burning calories. Consequently, when you lose lean body mass, your resting metabolism slows down, making it more difficult to burn fat. The longer you stay on a starvation diet, the more difficult it becomes to lose weight. Also, unless you change the lifestyle that caused you to gain weight, you are likely to gain your weight back after completing a starvation diet.
Fasting
Fasting is an extended period of time where you eat no solid food. Some fasts allow you to drink fruit juice, while others allow only water. In addition to weight loss, proponents claim that fasting has a detoxifying effect on the body. However, according to Katherine Zeratsky,R.D.,L.D., of the Mayo Clinic, little evidence exists that suggests fasting actually removes toxins from the body. Possible side effects from fasting include fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Fasts generally last from seven to 10 days, and any weight that is lost, is mostly water.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is an approach that drastically reduces the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. According to the Atkins website, you can lose up to 15 pounds in your first two weeks following the plan. You perform the diet in phases. During the initial phase, your carbohydrate consumption is limited to under 20 g per day. You are allowed unlimited amounts of pure protein and healthy fats. During the initial phase, you may induce a state of ketosis. While you are in ketosis, your body begins burning fat very quickly, and creates ketone particles. These particles must be flushed out of your body through the urinary tract, and it is mandatory that you drink at least eight glasses of water daily. During the later phases of The Atkins diet, carbohydrates are gradually added to the diet. As you approach your weight loss goal, you learn how many carbohydrates you can consume daily to maintain your weight.
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