Weight Loss: How Much is Too Much?

Let's talk about weight loss. How much is too much? How fast is too fast?

We all know that in this day and age, dropping a few pounds is often met with high-fives and congratulatory comments. And sure, shedding some weight can be a great move for your health and happiness. But what happens when 'a little off the top' turns into 'just a smidge too much?’

Most of us start our weight-loss journeys with the best intentions and a shiny new gym membership. But when everyone's cheering us on and we start feeling like a whole new person, how can we keep our eye on the prize without tumbling down the rabbit hole of obsession? Let's dive into this together and figure out how to keep our weight-loss journey from turning into a wild goose chase.

The rule of thumb suggests that losing 1-2 pounds per week is the way to go. Anything more could mean you're going a bit overboard and the weight will just boomerang right back. But hey, we're all unique, so genetics, body composition, and lifestyle, all play a part. So it's key to remember that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to weight loss.

What are the signs that we might need to put a pause or hit the breaks on your weight loss? If you are... 

• Consistently losing more than 2 pounds per week
• You start to feel like a zombie, easily fatigued, weaker than usual
• Changes to your skin and hair
• Mood swings, irritability, body image worries
• Isolation, skipping social events, especially involving food

You might be thinking, "But I want to lose weight, so what's the big deal about speed?" Well, hold your horses, because rapid weight loss can be a sneaky saboteur for these reasons: 

• Unsustainable Habits It's like building a castle on sand—it won't last because the habits you're leaning on for weight loss might be too extreme to be sustainable. 
• Lack of Nutrients Speedy weight loss often means cutting corners on nutrition, so you might miss out on vital nutrients your body and mind need to thrive. 
• Slowing Metabolism Your metabolism might hit the brakes to compensate for less food intake, which could lead to weight gain later on. 
• Muscle Loss You might end up losing muscle, especially if you're skimping on protein. 
• Dehydration The weight you're losing could just be water weight due to cutting carbs, which might also leave you dehydrated. 

Sometimes, it seems like society has a crush on weight loss, and even encourages disordered eating habits. Social media is flooded with everyday people sharing their meals, fitness gurus promoting unhealthy eating, and pictures of "perfect" bodies achieved through crazy diets. These images can make unhealthy behaviors seem like the golden ticket to weight loss success. 

But beware of these disguised diet disasters: 

• Cheat days or meals where you pig out on forbidden foods. 
• Cutting out entire food groups in the name of losing weight. 
• Skipping meals to make up for other indulgences. 
• Exercising like a maniac to burn off what you've eaten. 
• Eating only "clean" foods and avoiding anything deemed "unhealthy", could lead to orthorexia. 
• Restricting your diet to the point where it affects your mental and physical health.

So how do we dodge these diet traps and keep our weight loss journey healthy and sustainable? Choose foods that are rich in nutrients and leave you feeling satisfied - think protein-packed, whole-grain goodies. Find a workout that you love and makes you feel amazing, not like you're being punished. Because if you like to do it, you’ll keep doing it! 

eMed Weight Management Program: A Holistic Approach to Obesity

The eMed Weight Management Program offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss that includes GLP-1 medications for appetite reduction, free mental healthcare, physio appointments, and personalized treatment plans. It emphasizes a holistic view of health, addressing physical and mental aspects together. The program operates entirely online, providing ongoing support, check-ins, and medication adjustments. It's designed based on the individual's lifestyle, eating patterns, health history, and weight-loss goals, aiming for realistic, sustainable outcomes.

For more information, visit the eMed Weight Management Program webpage.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your doctor.

References

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Guidelines on Weight Loss and Management. Link 
• National Eating Disorders Collaboration. Disordered Eating and Dieting. Link
• Center for Disease Control, Resources for Weight Loss and Management. Link
• National Library of Medicine, Weight Loss and Maintenance. Link 
• Nutrition.gov, Healthy Living and Weight, Interested in Losing Weight. Link
• Harvard, The Role of Diet in Weightloss. Link
• Mayo Clinic, Weightloss Resources. Link