It takes discipline to stick to a weight loss plan, but if you have a lot of weight to lose, thinking about the journey can get discouraging. Fast weight loss at the beginning of your journey can give you the motivation to stick to your goal. Small changes like replacing junk food with fresh vegetables and completing short daily workouts may seem minor, but they yield significant results. Just a 5 to 10 percent drop in your body weight will improve your health and give you the energy you need to stay focused on your long-term weight loss goals.
Facts
Fast weight loss should not be seen as a long-term solution, but there are some benefits to losing a modest amount of weight in a short period of time. Being overweight puts you at risk for many life-threatening conditions, including cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and sleep apnea. You are overweight if your body mass index is between 25 and 29.9, and obese if your BMI is over 30. A weight loss plan designed to help you drop pounds in the first few weeks can bring your BMI into a safe range.
Features
Many diet pills and herbal remedies promise fast results; however, some have harmful effects. People who lose weight using diet aids often find that they gain the weight back when they stop taking the pills. A diet that begins with medically supervised calorie restriction usually yields more permanent results. For example, by following the quick-start phase of the Mayo Clinic diet, you can expect to lose 6 to 10 lb. in two weeks. After the quick-start phase, you achieve slower but long-lasting results through diet and exercise.
Benefits
Dropping pounds fast can be unsafe, but there are times when it is medically necessary. If you are preparing for gastric bypass surgery as a weight loss solution, you need to lose weight to be eligible for the procedure. A BMI of 30 or more puts stress on weight-bearing limbs and can cause osteoarthritis. A diet plan with a fast-start phase potentially helps you lose the pounds you need to exercise safely and burn off more fat.
Considerations
To jump-start weight loss, you need a diet plan that includes fruits and vegetables and controlled portions of whole grains, lean proteins and unsaturated fats. If you adapt to your new diet quickly, sustainable weight loss will follow. You need to burn off more calories than you take in on a daily basis through regular exercise. Talk to your health care provider about your weight loss goals, and ask for advice about a fast-start diet and exercise regimen that works for you.
References
- "Fitness"; The 48-Hour Weight-Loss Jump Start; Boonsri Dickinson
- American Dietetic Association: Heart Health for Women
- Weight-Control Information Network: Do You Know the Risks of Being Overweight?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Obesity - Treatment
- Mayo Clinic; Fast Weight Loss; What's Wrong With It?; Donald Hensrud, M.D.; June 2011
- University of Utah Health Sciences Library: Promote Health through Diet and Exercise: The Obesity Problem
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