Unexplained weight loss, also known as rapid weight loss, is defined when an individual losses more than ten pounds in a short period of time. This would be equal to a 180-pound person losing 10 pounds in a month or a 150 pound person losing 7 pounds in a week. If you have been wondering whether your recent diet success was a fluke or if you actually lost weight, the answer is both. Rapid weight loss happens to many people every day and is often associated with extreme dieting techniques that promise quick results in a short amount of time. However, these quick-fix methods can have devastating consequences.
The key to weight loss success is changing the way you eat and choosing healthy, whole foods instead of fatty, processed snacks and fast foods. If you are finding it hard to make healthy choices, enlist the help of a dietician. A dietitian can help you analyze your current eating habits and create an eating plan that will help you reach your weight loss goals. A good dietitian will educate you on portion control and the impact of calories on your health. They can also help you identify the right types of foods for each stage of your weight loss journey.
Rapid weight loss often leads to health problems because it causes the body to use energy reserves to meet the demands of the new dietary intake. Since the body is utilizing energy reserves, it leads to an imbalance in nutrients and energy levels. In many cases, this imbalance can lead to serious health problems. You may become malnourished, experience weakness and fatigue, or develop kidney disease. The negative effects of rapid weight loss can also lead to depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
For optimal weight loss results, you should combine a moderate amount of physical activity with a proper diet. Aerobic exercises are great for burning calories and boosting your metabolism. Weight training can help you build lean muscle mass, which will help you maintain your body weight when you stop dieting. Low intensity cardio exercises are good for helping your body shed body fat because they increase your metabolism. You can even combine strength training with aerobics to improve your health and weight loss.
As long as you make smart dietary choices and keep up a healthy eating lifestyle, you will be able to maintain your weight loss. Losing more weight than you put on will be a challenge, however. If you find yourself losing too much fat quickly, you might have to change your workout and diet routines. Rapid weight loss often leads to unhealthy eating habits, which increases your risk for more health risks. The goal of a long-term weight loss plan is to maintain healthy eating behaviors and increase your metabolism slowly, so that you maintain your weight loss over the long term.
While most diet plans recommend avoiding foods high in saturated fat and trans fats, recent studies show that those types of fats actually help your body loses weight faster. According to one study, eating high saturated fat foods for just nine days may reduce your risk for heart disease by up to nine percent. Foods rich in fiber to help you feel full, thus reducing the temptation to snack between meals. According to the American Heart Association, eating more whole grains helps lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. In addition to whole foods, fatty acids found in olive oil, nuts and avocados provide health benefits, too.
Another potential cause for unintentional weight loss might be the body’s inability to break down certain foods properly. Sometimes people eat food that is difficult for their bodies to digest, leading to excess gas and bloating. Other times, people eat foods that are highly nutritious but cannot seem to fully process. These types of episodes may cause people to feel bloated or experience a loss of control over their movements.
The bottom line: weight loss may be the result of various factors and there is no one cause that can be pinned down. It is important to consider the above factors when trying to lose weight and create an eating plan. The below mentioned causes may lead to other issues if you have a medical condition or are taking medications. If you suspect that any of the above may be contributing to your weight loss attempts, speak to your doctor immediately.