Please note: Before starting any weight-loss program, it is important to consult with your physician first.
When you’ve got a plan in place and you’re ready to tackle your weight and health goals, it’s easy to let your aspirations overshadow the reality of weight-loss. How many times have you thought to yourself:
- “If I try hard enough, I can take the weight off quickly.”
- “I am determined! I’ve got to give it my all 100% of the time.”
- “I need to lose weight now. How fast can I do it?”
- “I’ll do whatever it takes to reach my goals as soon as possible.”
Pacing Weight Management: How Quickly Should I Make Progress?
If we can be honest with ourselves, most of us have faced the above mentalities at some point or another. The idea of a healthier future can seem almost too promising, leaving us with the burning desire to make progress as soon as possible. But how healthy can that mindset really be?
For some of us, this standard of weight management can produce feelings of failure, disappointment and discouragement. If our weight isn’t budging as fast as we would like, we’re taught to feel as though we’re doing something wrong. Maybe we’re not persistent with our efforts, or we simply don’t “want” it enough. Perhaps we’ve erred somewhere along the way, or there’s something wrong with our bodies. Whatever this feeling may look like, it has the potential to derail our weight management efforts. Instead of making progress toward our goals, we may actually be taking steps in the other direction.
For this reason, it’s important to regard your journey with weight management as a journey. All of our dreams and desires cannot be achieved with the snap of our fingers or the flick of a wand. Over time, we adjust to our changing bodies and learn ways to adapt to exercise, nutrition and other weight management factors. These factors are a part of the journey, and they teach us things along the way! This is why pacing is key to our weight and health efforts. All good things come in due time, so long as we put in the effort and endurance necessary to achieve them.
The Dangers of Fast Weight-loss
The risks of a fast-paced weight-loss program stretch well beyond mental/emotional consequences. Unless your weight changes are being medically managed by a doctor or other trusted health professional, you may be at risk of the following concerns — including, but not limited to:
- Hypoglycemia
- Gallstones
- Hypotension
- Muscle loss
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Dizziness
What Does this Information Tell Us?
Unless our health is in physical jeopardy, our bodies are designed to adjust to gradual changes in weight. However, if excess weight is severely impacting your health, it is wise to seek help from a trusted health professional who can tailor your weight management plans to fit your individual needs.
Overall, it is essential to have a plan in place. A solid plan that includes your short-term and long-term goals, strategies for weight management and personal preferences will carry you a long way. Remember: there are many types of progress that stretch well beyond the scale. So long as you are making healthy long-term changes to your weight and lifestyle, you are doing fantastic!
Want more information about pacing your weight management efforts?
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