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Basically, trying to lose five pounds in a week is a really good way to feel like a failure. Plus, when you're so focused on changing the number on the scale, you may lose sight of what should be the objective: forming healthier habits, she adds. "The quest to change your body size can be extremely disruptive in your ability to listen to your body, take care of yourself, and be kind to yourself," says Tayler Silfverduk, RDN. Dieting can literally make it hard to think straight.Īnd on that note, it's the mental health strain of attempting quick weight loss that is arguably more problematic. Not to mention, skipping or skimping on meals can throw your blood sugar out of whack and leave you feeling sluggish and unable to concentrate. If you're not eating enough in an effort to lose weight fast, you're missing out on essential vitamins and nutrients that keep your body functioning the way it should, Williamson says. “The whole thing is based on the idea of restriction, which is just so detrimental to health,” says Danielle Marks Williamson, RDN, founder of Diets by Dani. Trying to lose this much this quickly is dangerous, from a physical health perspective first and foremost. Read more about the ways diets and diet culture can impact your physical and mental health.īefore we go any further, let's establish the fact that i t’s basically impossible to lose five pounds in a week. We feel it’s important for you to know that the biological connection between health and excess weight isn’t straightforward-and your BMI or the number on the scale is not a solid measure of health.
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Our goal is to publish weight loss content with integrity, science-backed reporting, and insight on what you can realistically accomplish while attempting to lose weight in a healthy way.
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