Quick Weight Loss Diets

There are many diet plans that promise quick or rapid weight loss results if dieters use their so-called “special” methods.

Many of these fast weight loss plans have some type of hook such as a special ingredient, supplement, or strange eating routine. Many of these are considered fad diets because of this.

These diets are popular because instant gratification is engrained in our fast-paced modern culture, however, they do come with their share of risks and may actually cause more harm than good if the dieter isn’t careful.

Is Rapid Weight Loss Possible?

Most of the time, if you cut through all the fluff, quick weight loss diets are usually just low-calorie diets with some being very low in calories.

VCLD’s often result in a good deal of water weight loss at the beginning, which can cause the illusion of fat loss. While this can be good motivation for making further effort, many people on rapid weight loss diets get frustrated when that trend doesn’t continue.

Other diets may promote quick weight loss in the beginning, but then advocate slow and steady weight loss as the diet continues. This is a much more realistic approach to how losing weight actually occurs.

The Risks

• Metabolic Slowdown: Diets really low in calories can potentially stall the metabolism leading to an even more difficult time losing weight. Dieters must support their metabolism and exercise while maintaining a safe calorie deficit to avoid this.
• Malnutrition: Because many quick weight loss diets eliminate food groups and are drastically low in calories, they can leave you malnourished, which can lead to other health problems.
• Yo-Yo Dieting: Quick weight loss tends to contribute to yo-yo dieting. It is unhealthy for a person’s weight to continually fluctuate back and forth.
• Frustration: Dieters often gain the weight back and become frustrated with dieting and give up altogether.
• Loose Skin: Losing weight quickly leaves dieters more prone to loose and saggy skin, which sometimes has to be surgically removed. This is often seen in those who underwent gastric bypass surgery.
• Eating disorders: Because of the nature of most quick weight loss diets, they can contribute to eating disorders and an unhealthy relationship with food. People begin to see foods as good and bad and feel guilty when they eat the “bad” ones.

Safe Quick Weight Loss Diets

There are some diets that do promote quick weight loss, but they do so in a healthier way. These diets either have a healthy eating plan in place or they are medically supervised.

Here are a few to consider before choosing one that could be potentially dangerous to your health and wellbeing.

3 Week Diet System	Up to 23 pounds with this 3-week system.
17 Day Diet	10-12 pounds in 17 days using a low carb method.
Medifast	Up to 5 pounds a week the 1st two weeks using meal replacement products. Medically supervised.
10 Pounds in 10 Days	Promises rapid weight loss by following a low-calorie diet and intense exercise.
400 Calorie Fix	Up to 11 pounds in 2 weeks using a low-calorie meal plan.
Jumpstart to Skinny	Lose 20 pounds in 21 days with Bob Harper.

Be Leary of Diets that Promise Fast Weight loss

Many rapid weight loss diets promote dangerously low-calorie amounts or “special” ingredients that will likely just take your money.

All of the research supports slow and steady weight loss, not only as a way to lose fat in a healthy way but also as a way to keep the weight off for good.

People who lose weight via quick weight loss diets usually gain the weight back soon after and add even more pounds, which eventually leads to yo-yo dieting.

Some Potentially Dangerous Fast Weight Loss Diets to Avoid:

3 Day Diet	Very low in calories and nutritionally poor.
Sacred Heart Diet	A soup diet that is too low in calories and nutritionally lacking.
Egg Diet	Some versions advise dieters to eat nothing but eggs.
Cabbage Soup Diet	Promises rapid weight loss by eating nothing but cabbage soup.
7 Day Diet	A 7-day meal plan that’s too low in calories and is nutritionally poor.

Make sure that whichever diet you choose can become part of your lifestyle. If you can’t see yourself eating a particular way for the next year of your life, then the diet will not be sustainable nor likely successful.