Why Fad Crash Diets Don’t Work

Non-Medically Supervised Fad Crash Diets Don’t Work.

Summer is on its way! In San Antonio, it feels like it’s already here. With warmer weather comes that seasonal desire to slim down in time for bathing suits and fewer layers. For many, the cry of “it’s time to start my diet!” begins now.

For those hoping to shed pounds quickly, fad crash diets are appealing. A crash diet is when someone dramatically restricts their calorie intake in order to lose weight fast, rather than monitoring their nutrition and developing healthier eating habits over time. Medical weight loss experts may use a similar approach of calorie reduction coupled with medication and strict supervision to help kick start a weight loss program.

While fad crash diets seem like a quick fix with summer approaching, if not under strict medial instruction and supervision, they can do more harm than good for your weight loss goals as well as your overall health.

Why Fad Crash Diets Seem to Work… But Don’t!

Crash diets essentially drive your body into starvation mode. Without proper medical instruction and enough calories, you’ll feel tired and mentally unclear. Yes, you’ll see some initial pounds drop, but your body is designed to keep this exact kind of rapid weight loss from happening. To keep up with your new, reduced calories, your metabolism will slow, way, way down.

As an effect of a medically unsupervised fad crash diet, your body will actually begin storing fat, assuming that something catastrophic has happened and you need to prepare for a period of time without food. Your body will actually begin to increase its fat percentage, and you’ll feel too sluggish and unhappy to do much about it.

Reducing your fat intake as part of a fad crash diet not recommended by your weight loss physician reduces your intake of healthy, filling fats and oil like avocados, olive oil and nuts. Many diet foods have high amounts of carbohydrates, which burn up quickly and leave you looking for more foods to eat. It’s hard to make healthy food choices when you’re hungry and tired.

Many people are pleased with the quick, temporary weight loss a fad crash diet offers. But what they don’t realize is that in the long run, they’re actually encouraging weight gain and making it harder to shed those pounds.

So, What’s the Alternative?
The good news is that there is a way to sustain long-term weight loss while feeling full, maintaining energy and a positive attitude, and without giving up all the foods you love.

Eating a high-protein, low carb diet helps to maintain a steady metabolism and encourages weight loss. Eating every few hours helps to promote this, as your body has no opportunity to begin the fat storage that accompanies a “hunger” mode metabolism.

A diet high in healthy fats is actually beneficial, even necessary, for a healthy lifestyle that includes an ideal, balanced weight. Restricting fat intake eliminates nutrients that contribute to heart, brain and organ health. When a diet like this is accompanied by daily activity, it’s easier to lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight.

Although weight loss made through consistent, healthy lifestyle changes may be slower to come by than fad crash dieting, it’s also easier to maintain weight loss this way. More importantly, weight loss made through consistent, healthy choices can help you feel good and transform your lifestyle. With any weight loss approach, remember to always listen to the advice of your healthcare provider. Extreme dieting should never be done without medical supervision. There are some times when these are useful, but never without medical supervision!

Ready to stop fad dieting and start living healthy?