Crash Diets Can Cause Food Fixations

The extreme approach that most quickie weight loss programs employ can cause you to lose lean muscle mass as well as cause your metabolism to slow down, not speed up. Successful weight loss is about eating in moderation and making slow and steady tweaks to the foods you choose to eat. If you prioritize your intake of healthy foods, you can function at a calorie deficit and also stay satiated.

• Fixation About Food - Quick fix diets may allow you to shed pounds fast but dreaming about food is your body’s way of reminding you to eat. Unfortunately, your cravings are probably not going to be for healthy foods.
• Hair Loss - If you are losing weight too fast, hair loss can be a problem. However, it should restore to a normal state as you address your nutritional needs, and your body adjusts to your new weight.
• Constipation - Fad diets are often low in fiber and can cause dehydration. In turn, dehydration can result in constipation as well as unhealthy changes in the probiotics found in your intestines.
• No Permanent Weight Loss - Sticking to an exercise routine can help strengthen a region of your brain that helps you focus on long-term consequences versus short-term decisions. Adding lean proteins and healthy fats can reduce hunger pangs.
• Muscle Loss- You don’t have to go crazy eating 40-ounce steaks. Metabolic Research Center has a selection of protein shakes, drinks, and snacks that will also keep you feeling full longer and at critical times in your day.
• Menstrual Irregularities - Losing weight too fast can cause menstrual irregularities by interfering with hormonal production needed for ovulation. However, excessive weight gain can also make ovulation more difficult leading to infrequent periods.

Understanding why a given diet works for a given dieter remains the holy grail of weight loss, but experts do agree that a personalized approach to menus and exercise has the best chance of resulting in long-term fat loss. If your brain tells your body to slow its metabolic rate due to the weight you’ve lost, it will find a way to run itself on fewer calories to ensure there is leftover energy to get stored as fat. Select a plan with personalized menus that prevents an unwanted starvation response.