Red Flags You’re Losing Weight Too Fast
Faster Weight Loss Isn't Always Good for You
If you’re anything like me, you want to lose weight quickly, fast, and in a hurry! In other words, you want your ideal body and weight yesterday so you can look and feel good today! Trust me, I know the feeling. And while it’s always good to see the numbers on the scale drop, losing weight too fast could be something to worry about. So, the real question is, how fast is “too fast” when it comes to losing weight?
What’s Considered a Healthy Amount of Weight to Lose?
According to the CDC, losing 1-2 pounds per week is a healthy amount of weight to lose in a reasonable timeframe. To put that into simpler terms, you’ll need to burn at least 500 to 750 calories more than you normally take in every day. And remember, this is for long-term goals. Studies show that people who lose weight at a steady pace are more likely to keep the weight off than people who lose it fast.
Of course, there are several factors to consider that would play a role in how quickly you lose weight. Things like your age, medical history, sleep, and current fitness level are all major contributors to the speed at which you lose weight. It’s also important to mention that “fast weight loss” is normal (and expected) after the first few weeks of your journey simply because it’s your body’s reaction to your new lifestyle habits.
However, if you’re still losing weight fast after your initial first few weeks, that’s when you may need to be a little concerned. And believe me, your body will tell you. Below are some symptoms your body may display to let you know your weight is dropping too fast.
You “Randomly” Start Feeling Tired and Dizzy
So, you’ve been on your weight loss journey, exercising and eating healthy. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, you start feeling dizzy and lightheaded. This symptom in itself can cause you to gain all the weight back you lost, simply from feeling the need to lie down and rest. This, in turn, can make you feel weak and not want to workout or cook healthy meals.
When you start experiencing this symptom from weight loss, it’s likely from not getting the right amount of nutrients your body needs. Remember, it’s one thing to eat healthy, but are you eating enough? If you’re not fueling your body with enough carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, your body’s natural reaction will be to feel faint. Your recommended daily intake of calories varies from person to person but generally speaking, it’s recommended that women consume a minimum of 1,800 calories per day and men take in a minimum of 2,400.
You Start Feeling Sick to Your Stomach
One of the worst feelings in the world (to me) is feeling like you need to throw up. You start feeling hot, saliva builds up in your mouth… We all know the feeling without going into too much detail. But what you may not realize is that weight loss and nausea are a common symptom during weight loss. Here’s the breakdown: The dizziness you experience from rapid weight loss is from nutritional deficiencies, which can then lead to nausea and other digestive issues (even constipation). This can then lead to gallstones.
Your Body Develops Gallstones
Gallstones are small, hard pieces that can form in your gallbladder, which is a small organ in your body that helps digest food. These stones can form if your body makes too much cholesterol, especially if you lose weight too fast. Symptoms you may experience associated with gallstones include:
Fever
Chills
Pain in your stomach
Feeling sick or throwing up
Poop that looks pale
Pee that is very dark, like tea
Yellowing of your skin or eyes (called jaundice)
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If bad enough, gallstones can sometimes require surgery to be removed.
Your Metabolism Starts to Slow Down
Think of your metabolism as the fuel your body needs for energy. So, when you start shedding pounds too quickly, your body goes into somewhat of a survival mode to preserve the energy it has on hand. With that, your body will burn calories much slower. This is what makes it so easy for your body to pick up any weight you lost at first.
You Lose Muscle Mass
When losing weight, building muscle is such an important part of the process as well. But when you lose weight too fast, you’re not only losing weight—you’re losing muscle too. The pace of losing 1-2 pounds per week ensures you’re losing body fat and not muscle. The irony of losing muscle is that building muscle helps you burn more calories faster, which contributes to overall weight loss. So, when you start losing muscle, you’re also losing your ability to burn calories.
You Could Lose Your Hair
Yes, you read that right. When you lose weight too fast, you’re cutting out the essential nutrients your body needs to function properly. Unfortunately, hair loss can come as a side effect of poor nutrition. This includes drinking enough water as well. When you’re dehydrated, your hair follicles don’t function properly, causing your hair to become dry and ends to split, ultimately, stopping hair growth overall.
Lose Weight for the Long Game
Weight loss can be an exciting (and frustrating) journey, especially when you’re doing it the right way. But those quick-fix weight loss habits can lead to serious health problems. I know getting rid of the weight fast is what we all want, but aiming for a steady, healthy pace of 1-2 pounds per week is key. Remember, overall health is the ultimate goal—so listen to your body, feed it, and give yourself the time you deserve to achieve lasting results.
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