How Fast Should I Try to Lose Weight?

It can be tempting to follow a “crash” diet and drop many pounds right away. It's not unlikely to lose up to

Crash-dieting

10 to 20 lbs in a month. Unfortunately, this puts your health at risk both for the short term and long term. Generally the "crash" diets used cause dehydration, lack of nutrition, loss of essential oils necessary for body function, and alterations in blood sugar. And what most people dont't often consider is the overwhelming loss in muscle mass. In addition, weight fluctuations can be more dramatic later in life. Crash diets are not recommended by any medical or nutritional professionals.

But, women and men who lose weight gradually are more likely to keep it off. Your body will adapt to changes in diet gradually and reset a proper metabolism in the body. Think of it as a reprogramming effort.

It’s natural for anyone trying to lose weight to want to lose it very quickly. But people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping weight off. Healthy weight loss isn’t just about a “diet” or “program”. It’s about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits. Weight loss can be discouraging when you don't see immediate results. Patience is the key. In addition, those with fewer pounds to lose may see slower results that someone who has a larger amount to lose. A pre-prepared meal replacement is an effective way to supplement your diet with well rounded nutrition . Once you’ve achieved a healthy weight, rely on healthy eating and physical activity to help you keep the weight off over the long term.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your goals. She/he can help you develop a gradual, healthy weight loss plan to reach your weight loss goals.

Dont lose sight of what's really important here. The goal of gradual weight loss is to burn unnecessary fat --NOT muscle mass. This means that while following a healthy meal plan and excercise regimen, you may initially experience weight gain due to increased muscle mass. So keep in mind that inches lost may be more relevant to you than simply losing pounds.

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