Rapid Weight Loss Definition

Losing weight at a rapid pace can be a shock to your system. Rapid weight loss is a sudden and quick change in your weight. Dropping weight too quickly can alter your metabolism and ability to lose weight in the future. Before you use a fad diet or unhealthy tactics to see a quick drop in your weight, consider the dangers and ramifications of rapid weight loss and what your alternatives may be. While losing weight slowly can be a longer process, it's healthier and longer lasting.

Rapid Weight Loss

Involuntary rapid weight loss is a serious concern. The book "Nutrition and HIV" defines rapid weight loss as losing more than 10 percent of your weight in six months without changing your lifestyle, eating or exercise habits. When eating and exercising to lose weight, any amount of weight loss over 1 to 2 lbs. per week is not safe. Losing weight too quickly can negatively affect your metabolism, and when weight is lost involuntarily, it could be a sign of a serious health problem.

Safe Weight Loss

Weight loss should be achieved at a rate of 1 to 2 lbs. per week, according to Medline Plus. This ensures that you're using healthy methods in order to lose weight and create healthy lifetime habits. By creating a caloric deficit between the amount of calories you consume and the calories you burn, you can lose lose weight steadily and safely. In order to lose 1 to 2 lbs. each week, you'll need to create a 500 to 1,000 calorie deficit each day for that week.

Causes

Rapid weight loss can be the result of a variety of causes. Some of the more unhealthy causes are fad diets, fasting and extreme caloric restriction. While these methods can all help you lose weight, they can deprive your body of the nutrients that it needs, while damaging your metabolism.

Dangers

If you're losing weight unintentionally, it's imperative that you see your doctor with a description of any other symptoms that you may be having, since it could be a sign of illness. If you're experiencing rapid weight loss as the result of your own efforts, consider a slower and steadier method of weight loss. While rapid weight loss can give you immediate satisfaction, the results are usually short-lived and unhealthy. Following a sensible, healthy diet paired with daily exercise can give you weight loss results that last.