Discover How to Lose Weight Fast and Healthy
In today’s fast-paced society, the pursuit of immediate results seems to be all the rage, and losing weight is no exception. With so much emphasis on quick fixes and instant transformation, the desire to lose weight fast has soared in popularity.
However, despite the appeal of shedding those extra kilos in a shorter amount of time, many health professionals are concerned about the potentially harmful consequences of such an approach. One of these experts is Shelley Cavezza, PhD, a renowned functional medicine practitioner on the Sunshine Coast. With her vast knowledge in functional medicine and nutrition, Shelley Cavezza will provide valuable insight into the dangers of desire to lose weight fast and how to achieve healthy weight loss through functional medicine and nutrition.
How to Lose Weight Fast: the Dangers
Fast weight loss is often defined as the act of shedding kilos in a significantly shorter period compared to the recommended gradual and steady pace. The lure of achieving a weight loss milestone quickly is understandably appealing, especially to those who view their excess kilos as a personal barrier to happiness and physical comfort. But the methods people commonly use to accelerate the weight loss process – like crash diets, extreme exercise regimes, fasting or even pharmaceuticals – can cause various physical and mental health issues.
Shelley Cavezza, PhD, explains that rapid weight loss, which usually involves drastic measures, can be harmful to your body. From a functional medicine perspective, such rapid changes can cause nutritional deficiencies and metabolic imbalances, which can impair gut health, hormonal balance and overall wellbeing. As your body works to accommodate extreme changes, you may experience distressing side effects, such as fatigue, irritability, poor focus, and malnutrition.
Restrictive diets and excessive exercise can also contribute to the development of disordered eating habits. When you want to lose weight fast, weight becomes an all-consuming obsession, your relationship with food and exercise can become unhealthy and psychologically damaging. Moreover, to lose weight fast is more likely to be regained, leading to a vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting, which can wreak havoc on both mental and physical health.
Functional Medicine Approach: Lose Weight Fast and Healthy
In the realm of healthcare, the functional medicine approach is transforming the way we perceive and manage chronic conditions, including weight gain and obesity. Functional medicine is a patient-centred and evidence-based approach to healthcare that aims to identify and address the root causes of imbalances within the body.
Unlike the conventional medicine approach, which often focuses on treating the symptoms instead of the underlying issues, functional medicine has an emphasis on preventative care. The approach is to examine an individual’s unique lifestyle, environment, and genetic factors that may influence their long-term health and well-being. This enables healthcare practitioners to develop a personalised and integrative plan to guide an individual on their weight loss journey.
Functional medicine can help individuals to identify and tackle the root causes of weight gain by investigating hormonal imbalances, inflammation, gut health and more. For instance, hormonal imbalances can contribute to weight gain by affecting appetite regulation, metabolism, and body fat distribution. By identifying imbalances in hormones such as insulin, cortisol, and leptin, among others, functional medicine practitioners can help individuals develop targeted strategies to rebalance their hormones and better manage their weight.
Inflammation is another key factor in weight gain and obesity, as it can disrupt the body’s natural weight regulation mechanisms. Functional medicine aims to identify and address sources of inflammation within the body, restoring balance and improving the body’s natural ability to regulate weight effectively.
Nutrition is A Key Component of Healthy Weight Loss
Nutrition plays a crucial role in any healthy weight loss plan, and is not just concerned with reducing calories but involves consuming the right balance of nutrients to support the body’s optimal functioning. Insufficient nutrition can lead to fatigue, cravings, and poor health outcomes, while a balanced and diverse diet can improve energy levels, support metabolism, and contribute to effective and sustainable weight loss.
Speaking in general, Shelley Cavezza, a renowned nutritionist, suggests several key factors for individuals to consider when looking to lose weight fast in a healthy and sustainable manner. These recommendations include:
1. Protein: Ensure that each meal contains a quality source of protein, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, tofu, or legumes. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, and can help to keep you satiated for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
2. Healthy fats: Include healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, avocadoes, and oily fish, which are vital for supporting brain function, hormone production, and optimal metabolism.
3. Fibre: Incorporate fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, which can promote digestive health, and reduce hunger.
4. Portion control: Be mindful of portion sizes, aiming to consume smaller, balanced meals more frequently throughout the day. This can help to regulate blood sugar levels and avoid overeating.
Additional Factors to Consider: How to Lose Weight Fast and Healthy
Exercise
While a nutritious and well-balanced diet lays the foundation for healthy weight loss, exercise takes it to the next level. Engaging in regular physical activity helps burn off the excess energy our body stores as fat, and it builds lean muscle mass, which actually burns off more energy even when you’re at rest.
To ensure a well-rounded exercise regimen, incorporate both cardiovascular workouts (such as running, fast walking, swimming, or cycling) and strength training exercises (think weight lifting or Pilates). Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with at least two days of strength training.
Sleep
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep! Sleep is crucial for overall health and wellbeing, and it plays a vital role in weight loss. When we don’t get enough rest, our bodies produce more of the hormone ghrelin, responsible for increasing appetite, and less of the hormone leptin, which signals fullness. In effect, being sleep-deprived can lead to overeating, making it difficult to stick to your nutrition and weight loss goals.
Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, such as winding down with a book, practicing relaxation techniques, and keeping screens out of the bedroom can help improve sleep quality and quantity.
Stress Management
Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies and mental wellbeing and can throw a wrench into our weight loss efforts. When stressed, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol, which signals our body to hold onto fat stores, particularly around our abdomen. High cortisol levels can also lead to emotional eating and poor food choices.
To manage stress, consider incorporating relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, into your daily routine. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional if needed.
Schedule a Consultation with Shelley Cavezza, PhD
One of the most significant aspects of the functional medicine approach is its focus on individualised plans, tailored to meet the unique needs and circumstances of each patient. This means that weight loss strategies are not one-size-fits-all, but rather are developed based on an individual’s current health status and underlying causes of weight gain. This personalised approach ensures that each person receives the most effective and sustainable strategies to achieve and maintain their ideal weight long-term.
To find out what factors could be contributing to your weight problems and solve them under the supervision of a professional functional medicine practitioner on the Sunshine Coast, schedule a consultation (online or eye to eye) with Shelley Cavezza, PhD.