How Much is Too Much Weight Lost Per Week?

by Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger

27 Dec 2006 09:32 PM

Experts will tell you that a 1-2 pound weight loss within any given week is normal and healthy. This makes sense. After all, with a sensible diet and exercise plan, 1-2 pounds per week would be great!

But with shows like, The Biggest Loser, where contestants are losing up to 20 pounds per week, what's an average person supposed to think?

In our society, where "the faster the better" is a common motto, losing weight safely is often replaced by losing weight quickly. It is possible. You can restrict your calories to the point of exhaustion. You can eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet. You can exercise excessively. But here's a newsflash-excessive anything, whether it's dieting or exercising, cannot last forever. And when you stop, you will gain weight. If you do not stop, your actions could lead to an eating disorder-either scenario is bad news.

It's hard to resist the temptation to try one fad diet or weight loss plan or another. But if you'll just listen to your body and to your doctor, you can find a sensible, and yes, slower plan that will enable you to lose weight safely and to keep it off long-term.

So before you go diving into the latest diet craze, consider making a few small changes and see how your body reacts. Incorporate fruit and/or vegetables into every meal you eat. This may be tough at first, but you'll soon get into the swing of things. Add dairy to your diet. Studies say three servings per day of fat free dairy aids in weight loss. Reduce but don't eliminate carbohydrates from your diet. There are a lot of hidden sugars in breads and pasta. Try cutting down and see what happens. And lastly, drink water.

Slow and steady wins the race. You're a sensible person in every other area of your life. Don't let a too-thin actress on television convince you to do something your body will later regret.

For further reading:

How much should I weigh?

Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade

Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona.

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