Rapid weight loss is an attractive idea for most people who want to lose weight. In fact, many people’s favorite fantasy is one where the excess fat just disappears overnight. The next day we go out and nobody even recognizes us! Wouldn’t that be great?
But at the same time we are constantly hearing that it can be dangerous to lose weight too fast. The question is, is this really true?
The answer is that it depends on the person and on how the weight loss is happening. If a person is getting their basic nutritional requirements from their diet, then rapid weight loss may be okay.
But it is actually quite difficult to get your RDA of vitamins and minerals from food without eating a minimum of 1000 calories per day, and usually more. Some health experts consider that women should not try to eat less than 1000 calories per day and men should not try to eat less than 1400.
Most people will experience rapid weight loss at this level. If a person is considerably heavier or taller than the average, they would need more. And most people will find that they can lose weight by eating more than that.
Another question is what is meant by rapid weight loss. Generally we are told that it is okay to lose 1-2 pounds a week. Anything more than this may cause problems. But a lot depends on how heavy you were in the beginning. A person weighing 300 pounds might lose as much as 5 pounds a week for a while. This is especially true of men, who tend to lose weight faster than women.
Of course it can be better to lose weight more slowly, because it gives you a better chance of keeping the weight off permanently. Crash diets that lead to rapid weight loss are not sustainable for most people. Usually that type of diet does not satisfy our nutritional needs. And at the end of a crash diet, there can be binges that are more dangerous than the diet itself.
One of the risks of losing weight too fast, especially for young people, is that they may develop anorexia. This usually involves a person having an unrealistic body image (they believe that they are fatter than they really are). At the same time there are issues around control over one’s body and one’s life. The causes of anorexia are complex but it is something to watch out for, especially if you find that you are becoming obsessed with eating as little as possible.
There are also some other health risks involved in very rapid weight loss. The body may go into a form of shock. Gallstones may form in people who are losing weight quickly, and the heart may be affected, especially if a person suddenly takes up a fitness regime and pushes too far, too fast.
Of course, if you are losing weight very quickly without trying, then there is likely to be an underlying medical problem. You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you are experiencing rapid weight loss without dieting.