Healthy Weight Loss – Why You Should Skip the Fad Diets
Summer’s almost here and soon it will be time to hit the beach. Is the thought of putting on your bikini or swim trunks causing a bit of anxiety? Whether you just need to lose a few pounds or you have a more substantial weight loss goal in mind, going on a fad diet can be tempting. They all promise that you’ll lose weight fast. Sounds good, but shedding the pounds quickly with a fad diet isn’t the best way to lose weight. Healthy weight loss is the best option for getting rid of unwanted weight.
Temporary Results
Often when people lose weight with a fad diet, they tend to put it right back on once they stop dieting. Many fad diets, especially those low in carbs, will quickly result in a significant loss of water weight. It’s not uncommon to lose 5 or 6 pounds in the first couple of days. While the number on the scale looks great, losing water weight doesn’t provide any health benefits. The typical low-carb fad diet is unhealthy and difficult to sustain. As you reintroduce carbs into your diet, the water weight will return.
Difficult to Sustain
Even if you’re able to stick with a fad diet long enough to lose fat and not just water weight, eventually you will stray and most likely gain the weight back. This is because most fad diets are based on depriving yourself rather than adopting healthy eating habits. Many limit their options so severely that they find themselves eating the same foods every day.
In addition to the monotony, fad diets can make it difficult to eat out, causing you to turn down a spontaneous dinner invitation. While healthy weight loss will involve some restrictions and self-control, losing unwanted weight should be a more positive experience. It’s about adopting good eating habits and a healthier lifestyle, not constantly depriving yourself.
Negative Impact on Your Health
As previously mentioned, many fad diets severely restrict your food options which can cause you to miss out on some of the nutrients necessary for good health. Because the first few pounds you lose on a fad diet are mostly water weight, you can end up being dehydrated. Fad diets can lead to dehydration and depleted electrolytes which can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood.
The extreme calorie restrictions most fad diets require can seriously impact your energy levels, leaving you feeling tired throughout the entire day. Rapid weight loss can also lead to digestive issues including diarrhea or constipation. In addition to restricting you from consuming fats and carbs, fad diets also prevent you from getting the vitamins and minerals you need. If you are deprived of these over an extended period of time, you could become malnourished. Choosing a fad diet over healthy weight loss can result in serious health risks.
Healthy Weight Loss is the Best Choice
Even if you only have a few extra pounds to lose, a fad diet isn’t a wise choice. Making healthy lifestyle changes and following a nutrient dense and balanced diet is the best way to lose the weight and keep it off. Healthy weight loss will not only allow you to lose weight without risking your health but it will also help you adopt healthy eating habits.
If you have a significant amount of weight to lose and have tried to lose it on your own unsuccessfully, it might be time to consider a supervised medical weight loss program. Permanent lifestyle changes are key to successful long-term weight loss. As with any change, the first step is the hardest part. At Vive Medical Weight Loss, that first step starts at your consultation. Dr. Pinto’s philosophy is to give you the jumpstart you need to achieve and then maintain a healthy weight.
Vive is proud partners with THE CENTER FOR MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS, the largest network of physicians specializing in weight loss in the country. Using evidence-based weight loss programs, your success is inevitable. Contact us today and we can take that first step together.
