Thinking about a Quick Weight Loss?
Michalis "BIG Mike" Kotzakolios
Kotzakoliou, SSA

Introduction

The old adage “Slow and steady, wins the race” is very much applicable to the people seeking a quick weight loss. Crash diets or quick weight loss programs should generally be avoided, as they are destined to fail. Bear in mind, when the process of fat accumulation took years, how is it physiologically possible for your body to sustain quick weight loss in just few days?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adopting healthy eating habits permanently, rather than impatiently pursuing crash diets or quick weight loss programs in hopes of losing unwanted pounds in a few days. Weight loss occurs from expending more calories than you consume. The only rational way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you expend in daily activities and this process takes time.

Set Realistic Goals

Leading experts recommend that instead of selecting quick weight loss techniques, individuals should try losing five to ten percent of their body weight. If you are obese, shedding five to ten percent body weight, and sustaining the weight, is a realistic achievable target. It not only helps reduce the risk for disease, but also improves overall health.

Beware of online quick weight loss programs that promote gimmicks like ‘lose weight while sleeping’ or ‘lose 50 lbs in a month’ or ‘lose weight by eating more’. Each year, people spend US $35 billion on quick weight loss programs, clinics and slimming-pills, only to be disappointed later. Ideally, if one wants to lose weight, he/she should adopt a balanced diet, by consuming nutritious low-calorie foods and increasing physical activity.

Many of the quick weight loss diets undermine the health, cause physical discomfort, flatulence and ultimately lead to disappointment when one starts regaining weight, shortly after losing it. Quick weight loss diets and fasting usually place too much stress on one type of food. They contravene the fundamental principle of good nutrition – to remain healthy one must consume a balanced diet, which includes a variety of foods.

Many 'fad' or quick weight loss diets reign supreme briefly, only to fade out. Although some wane from popularity due to being unproductive or unsafe, some simply lose the public's curiosity. Examples of such fad diets include the South Beach Diet, Atkins diet, grapefruit diet and Breatharian. Many fad diets advocate a specific technique (such as eliminating a certain food, or eating only certain combinations of foods) in conjunction with the basic idea that the body makes up the difference in energy by breaking down and utilizing some part of itself, essentially converting matter into energy. This self-cannibalism, or catabolism as it is referred, typically starts with breakdown of stored body fat.

Conclusion

The only way to attain and maintain permanent weight loss is by not falling for fad diets, but adopting a balanced, healthy diet that fits your lifestyle and involves regular physical activity.