Losing weight can be a goal for many people, but it’s important to do so in a healthy and sustainable way. When you lose weight too quickly, there can be some serious consequences for your body.
Health professionals often advise a 5% to 10% decrease in body weight to promote health. A modest drop of 5% in weight has been shown to improve metabolism, per a 2016 study published in Cell Metabolism. When you restrict your calorie intake so drastically, you experience hormonal changes that give you an appetite ‘ its your body’s way of preventing starvation.
For a lot of us ‘ especially during the pandemic ‘ the scale can feel a bit like the speedometer of a race car, accelerating rapidly in mere moments without warning. But weight gain doesn’t happen overnight, even if it sometimes feels that way. That said, Binks said a decrease in energy during extreme weight loss is not a “universal phenomena.” How you lose the weight actually has more of an effect on energy. You tend to lose the most weight and notice the most significant physical changes during the first weight loss stage.
1. Muscle loss
It can happen from looking at the sun or at too-bright reflections of sunlight off snow or water. The most common cause of solar retinopathy is viewing a solar eclipse, also called eclipse blindness. Eclipse enthusiasts flocked to Austin and other cities Monday to see the total solar eclipse and, hopefully, brought the proper eye protection with them. Fasting can result in weight loss primarily due to a reduction in calorie intake, but some beneficial effects on hormones may also come into play.
Despite the noted benefits, you should take its drawbacks into consideration. It has gained popularity in recent years and is linked to health benefits like increased insulin sensitivity, cellular repair, and weight loss. In the rare case that someone does damage their eyes, that damage usually shows up as a blurry spot in the field of vision, hours or up to a day after watching the eclipse. In about half of cases, the problem fixes itself, but permanent damage can sometimes occur. Junior Espejo looks through eclipse glasses being handed out by NASA in Houlton, Maine.
A person can benefit from starting with lighter weights and building up over time. According to the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), if the rate of loss is too fast, it can adversely affect health. A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico. It’s also not too late to buy some welding lenses, which Tractor Supply is promoting for sale at its 282 stores along the path of totality as a viable option for viewing the eclipse.
One of the biggest issues with rapid weight loss is that you may end up losing muscle mass instead of just fat. This can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to keep the weight off in the long run.
The retina is the light-detecting part of your eye that transmits those signals to the brain. Direct, intense light can burn a hole in them or destroy retinal cells almost immediately. It’s best to talk with a doctor to see whether this eating plan is right for you. ‘The extra energy is stored in adipose tissue all around your body in the form of triglycerides,’ says Dr. Burguera. Smaller amounts of energy are stored in your liver and muscles as glycogen.
Nevertheless, increasing HGH levels may indirectly decrease energy metabolism and combat continued weight loss. The Warrior Diet is an intermittent fasting plan based on the eating patterns of ancient warriors. An older randomized pilot study from 2016 comparing alternate-day fasting to a daily caloric restriction in adults with obesity found both methods to be equally effective for weight loss (11). Some versions of this diet embrace a ‘modified’ fasting strategy that involves eating around 500 calories on fasting days.
2. Nutrient deficiencies
When you drastically cut your calorie intake, you may not be getting enough essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. This can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other health problems.
3. Gallstones
Rapid weight loss can also increase your risk of developing gallstones, which are hard deposits that form in your gallbladder. These can cause severe pain and may even require surgery to remove.
4. Loose skin
When you lose weight too quickly, your skin may not have enough time to adapt to your new body shape. This can result in loose, sagging skin that may not tighten up on its own.
5. Mental health issues
Extreme dieting and rapid weight loss can take a toll on your mental well-being. You may become obsessed with food and weight, leading to disordered eating habits or even eating disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is it safe to lose weight quickly?
- How can I lose weight safely?
- What should I do if I’ve already lost weight too quickly?
It is generally not recommended to lose more than 1-2 pounds per week for sustainable and healthy weight loss.
Focus on making gradual changes to your diet and exercise routine, and consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Consider slowing down your weight loss efforts and focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent further negative effects on your body.
