Do You Want Long-Term Success in the Battle Against the Bulge? Avoid Doing These 7 Things
With the obesity rate growing throughout the U.S. and the world, it’s understandable that many people are on a quest to lose weight as quickly as possible; however, trying to lose weight too fast could be harmful to your health in the long run. Also, people who lose weight very fast typically gain it all back (and more).
Below are 7 quick tips of things NOT to do for long-term weight loss success:
1. Avoid Diet Pills or Prohibited Drugs
Using a pill or drug probably seems like an ideal way to kick-start your weight loss quest, but WebMD reports that a large number of these pills have severe adverse side effects.
Prescription drugs must be used exclusively by the individual prescribed and in the manner prescribed and recommended by a certified healthcare professional.
Others may resort to meth, cocaine, or speed to provide them with a boost. Although these drugs may help you shed excess pounds, the side effects are far more harmful because they are not only addictive but also harmful to your health with potentially fatal consequences.
2. Avoid Taking Laxatives
Taking laxatives is another common technique for individuals seeking to get rid of excess weight quickly. It is prevalent among individuals with eating disorders. While it may seem like a simple way to remove extra weight, the continuous use of laxatives (in whatever form) could have serious side effects on your digestive system.
3. Avoid Fad Diets
Research studies on fad diets at Johns Hopkins University discovered that only a handful affect long-term weight loss. The American weight loss market is a multi-billion-dollar industry; yet, the United States is still one of the most overweight countries in the world. There is no substitute for eating healthy proportioned meals and regular exercise for long-term weight loss.
4. Avoid Extremely Low-Calorie Meals
This dietary plan limits you to 500 to 800 calories per day and provides you with a list of no-calorie foods you are allowed to eat.
The body requires calories to stay alive, but it also requires a balance of different foods that provide a variety of nutrients combined with healthy fats, which are essential for the brain and body.
Moderately cutting calories is recommended to shed fat.
However, according to research, a very low-calorie diet may not have long-term benefits. Weight loss may occur in the initial stage, but it is not sustainable. When you begin consuming additional calories or even slightly up calories, you usually gain the weight back and sometimes more than you initially lost.
5. Avoid Excessive Exercise
Exercise is ideal for weight loss and overall health. However, extreme exercise can lead to exhaustion and other problems (e.g., over eating).
A 30 to 60-minute workout 3 to 5 days per week is sufficient for most people.
6. Avoid Starving Yourself
When you starve yourself, you become vulnerable to malnutrition and other health hazards. It is unsustainable for long-term weight loss success. Starvation triggers the body’s panic state, where it stores consumed calories for later use. It can result in a delay of any long-term weight loss attempts.
7. Avoid Skipping Meals
There’s a difference between periodic/intermittent fasting and merely missing meals for the purpose of losing weight. Skipping lunch could make you more susceptible to overeating during dinner.
Final Thoughts
I understand you want to lose weight as quickly as possible; however, it’s more important to lose weight safely and healthily. Engaging in any of the seven things listed above would result in fast but not sustainable weight loss.
Work with a nutritionist or dietician who can help set up meal plans and monitor your progress.
Additionally, work with your doctor to address physiological reasons why you’re not losing weight.
