Spring is almost here, and so is swimsuit preparation season. Whether you’re looking to lose 10 lbs, 50 lbs, 100 lbs, or more, you may be tempted to take the extreme path to drop the weight quickly. An internet search produces endless choices for shedding pounds in record time. You’ve probably heard of the cabbage soup diet, grapefruit diet, juice cleanses, and many more. Sounds appealing, right? It’s way easier than hitting the gym a few times per week, taking regular walks, and choosing a whole foods diet. Extreme dieting requires consistency but only for a short amount of time. It guarantees results. Fast. It’s what you want without doing what you don’t. It’s also a lie.
Researchers have found that while extreme dieters will lose 5-10% of their body weight in the first six months, 33-66% are likely to gain the weight back and then some. Other than the likelihood of failure, extreme diets have their fair share of downfalls; some are even dangerous.
Miss Out on Important Nutrients
A quick and easy diet is meant to make weight loss quick and easy, but this plan is doomed to fail. Extreme diets that eliminate one or more whole food groups altogether leave you missing out on critical nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to your overall health. You might experience decreased energy levels, brittle hair, nails, hair loss, or even a compromised immune system.
Lose Muscle, Not Fat
Everybody wants to get toned as they lose weight. You want to look lean! The bad news is extreme dieting and maintaining muscle mass don’t mix. Without sufficient calories from protein in your diet, your body will turn to muscle for fuel rather than excess fat because it’s easier to utilize those calories. This leads to a slowdown in metabolism since muscle is a major contributor to calorie burn.
Damage to the Heart
One of the most dangerous complications related to extreme diets is the toll they take on your heart and cardiovascular system. Research has found that over time people on these diets are likely to experience heart palpitations and arrhythmias, lowered blood pressure and sodium levels, and atrophy of the heart muscle due to dehydration and low protein intake.
What Can You Do?
While it’s tempting to take the quick and easy route, your health is too important to make that choice. A medically supervised weight loss program, like Medi-Weightloss®, is a far superior option. Our clinically proven and medically supervised program will ensure you lose weight, and keep it off!† Your medical provider will carefully monitor your diet so you get the ideal amount of nutrients for your specific needs. You will also receive education at each weekly visit, which will be vital for long-term maintenance. Don’t be fooled by quick fixes that promise almost immediate results. Weight loss is a major commitment that requires support, monitoring, and education to be successful.
† On average, Medi-Weightloss® patients lose 29 pounds in 13 weeks. Medical supervision required. Reference: Journal of Public Health