Five Quick Fixes for Weight Loss That Can Be Harmful to Your Body

Welcome to the New Year ladies! How many of you made a list of New Year’s resolutions? Are you excited about your vision for 2022? Well, I am excited for the goals that I have set and I am ready to put in the work to make my dreams a reality. If you ask the women in your family, your group of sister friends, or Google to list the top five goals for the New Year, you will discover that weight loss is one of the most common goals of all time.

For some women (including myself), weight loss is at the top our New Year’s resolution. Some women desire to lose weight to feel more comfortable in their skin and improve quality of life. Others desire weight loss to help decrease risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or depression. Whatever the reason for the desire of weight loss, it is important to have a safe and realistic plan to achieve your goal.

When establishing a plan to reach you weight loss goal, it is tempting to try Fad diets; calorie restriction; surgery; weight loss; tea; and supplements to help reach your goal quickly. What most women discover with diets and other quick fixes is that it does not result in sustainable weight loss and can cause both short and long term effects to the body. Below I have listed five common weight loss practices to avoid on your journey in the New Year:

Fad Diets: Fad diets are so popular because they promise quick results. These quick results usually require you to eliminate certain food groups. Eliminating certain foods groups or macronutrients can lead to nutrient deficiency. Fad diets can also lead to eating disorders and are rarely sustainable. For most individuals who participate in fad diets end up in a diet cycle - lose weight and regain weight quickly. Health risk includes: Muscle loss, eating disorder, electrolyte imbalances, and muscle loss.

Calorie Restriction: Eating fewer calories than the body requires can lead to fatigue, vitamin deficiency, and can lower your metabolism. Personally, when I eat in a calorie deficit, you don’t want to be around me because I become “Hangry”! (LOL) Health risk include: Infertility or reduced fertility; bone loss; decreased immunity.

Cosmetic/Plastic/Weight Loss Surgery: Surgery may not meet your expectations, but it can also result in permanent scaring. If lifestyle changes are not implemented, surgery results can be altered due to weight gain. Health risk include: Malabsorption; malnutrition; bowel obstruction; vomiting; hernias; hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Weight Loss Tea: If you have logged into social media recently, you have seen advertisements for weight loss tea that promises to have you ten pounds lighter by the end of the week. They promise to curve your appetite and give you a “flat tummy”. They don’t warn you that shortly after drinking the tea, you can experience vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea. Health risk: Hypokalemia (decreased potassium levels) that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and serious heart conditions.

Weight Loss Supplements: Weight loss supplements can help decrease appetite and help burn fat quickly. If not monitored closely by a healthcare provider and not taken as directed, these supplements can lead to anxiety, tremors, and irritability. Health risk include: Vitamin deficiency, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and heart disease.

Although it is tempting to try a quick fix for weight loss, it is not recommended. The key to sustainable weight loss is to make realistic goals, establish a plan, be consistent, and seek help when needed. Be kind to yourself and speak kind words throughout your journey. I encourage you to make healthy food choices, eat enough calories for your body to function, and find fun physical activity that you enjoy. As we navigate this wellness journey, I encourage you to make smart, safe, and healthy choices. And always, remember to Make Wellness Your Best Accessory!

Your Sister in Wellness,

Lauren