Myth Busting Rapid Weight Loss
We have all heard about the pros and cons of rapid weight loss. But with obesity still on the rise in Australia and the western world, it is time to debunk the myths and separate fact from fiction, so you can reach your health goals faster.
Myth:
Weight that comes off fast, goes back on fast.
Myth busted:
Contrary to popular belief, there are many studies showing that rapid weight loss can result in greater long-term weight loss success compared with gradual weight loss. The studies also show that weight regain does not differ between the two groups. This means that no matter whether you lose weight rapidly or gradually, weight regain is the same.
No matter what type of weight loss method you choose, it is important that after you reach your weight goals, you continue with a maintenance program. This means that any changes you have made during your weight loss efforts can be optimised through nutritional education, exercise, and behavioural therapy. In layman’s terms? If you want to hold onto your results in the long term, no matter how you have lost the weight, you will need to put in some effort to keep the kilos off.
Myth:
Rapid weight loss is dangerous.
Myth busted:
There is no denying that some rapid weight loss methods can do more harm than good (think drinking only lemon water for a month which will result in a calorie deficit but will not deliver your body the vital nutrients it needs). The good news is that there is a safe and effective way to lose weight quickly. This is where Be Fit Food comes in!
Be Fit Food offers rapid weight loss programs that are designed by experts in the weight loss field, to help you lose weight safely. The experts include the founders (a Dietitian/Exercise Physiologist and a weight loss surgeon duo) supported by a team of Dietitians who work with customers every day to help them safely reach their health and weight goals.
Our approach to weight loss is supported by the science of the CSIRO Low Carb Diet and we have rigorous scientific evidence showing that you can lose weight quickly, in a safe way. Not only does Be Fit Food help people lose weight, but when compared with a traditional diet, eating Be Fit Food can have other health benefits including improving blood cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and helping to manage Type 2 Diabetes.
Be Rapid is the most popular program at Be Fit Food and we recommend this program be undertaken for 2 to 8 weeks at a time. The program includes meals and snacks that are tasty and filling while also reaching 100% of all recommended daily intakes for essential vitamins and minerals excluding zinc (80%) and calcium (90%). Alongside the meals, we provide an ‘Allowed Extras Guide’ which can be used to increase specific nutrients while teaching you how to build a balanced plate.
Myth:
Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD) are unhealthy and do not meet your nutritional needs.
Myth busted:
VLCD diets are a common type of diet that puts the body into an extreme calorie deficit (where you use more energy than you consume). In the past, very low-calorie diets have gotten a bad name from things like the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, and from drinking synthetic shakes or bars commonly found in pharmacies and supermarkets. Be Fit Food is a wholefood alternative to these types of diets.
Be Fit Food meals are still very low calorie, but they are made from high quality, wholesome and fresh ingredients. Think: a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, plus a healthy source of lean protein like skinless chicken breast, eggs, lean beef or tofu. Each Be Fit Food meal contains 4 – 12 different vegetables making them not only nourishing, but a great source of fibre as well.
Unlike most very low-calorie diets, Be Fit Food programs are almost nutritionally complete in that they contain foods from all five food groups and meet over 100% of all recommended daily intakes for essential vitamins and minerals (excluding zinc at 80% and calcium at 90%). This is where our team of Dietitians come in too! They can help you choose foods from our ‘Additional Extras Guide’ to tailor the program to your nutritional needs, plus learn how to create a balanced plate for long term weight management success.
All Be Fit Food customers can access complimentary Dietitian support whenever it’s needed. This is especially important for people with health conditions, who are taking medications or have dietary requirements.
Myth:
You have no energy on a rapid weight loss program.
Myth busted:
While on a rapid weight loss plan with Be Fit Food, you may experience a lack of energy in the first 3 – 4 days of starting a program while your body adjusts. However, once you have transitioned into a fat burning state (we call this mild nutritional ketosis) customers experience increased energy from the change in their metabolism.
After the initial lull in energy, it’s common to experience greater energy as a result of the weight loss, improved nutrient intake and improved diet quality. Our customers also report better sleep which helps too!
Myth:
Losing weight is not very body positive.
Myth busted:
There has been a lot of talk in the media about body positivity in the last few years. But what exactly is it?
Body positivity is about being confident in your body no matter what it looks like. While this is an amazing sentiment, it is important to consider that we all have varying levels of confidence which as human beings, can ebb and flow! There may be times that you want to feel a bit healthier and that is nothing to be ashamed about.
It is also important to remember that choosing to lose weight, improve your diet or be more active doesn’t need to be about disliking your body or wanting to meet societal beauty standards. Taking good care of yourself is a kind and positive thing to do both for yourself, and for the people around you.
At Be Fit Food, we are not just focused on the numbers but on the health changes too such as developing healthy habits that are sustainable over the long term and improving relationships with food.
If you would like to speak to a qualified dietitian at Be Fit Food, please book in for a complimentary phone consultation online or by calling 1300 263 257.
References
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Purcell K, Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Bouniu CJ, Delbridge E, Proietto J. The effect of rate of weight loss on long-term weight management: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2014 Dec;2(12):954-62. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70200-1. PMID: 25459211.
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Rolland C, Johnston KL, Lula S, Macdonald I, Broom J. Long-term weight loss maintenance and management following a VLCD: a 3-year outcome. Int J Clin Pract. 2014 Mar;68(3):379-87. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12300. Epub 2013 Dec 22. PMID: 24372837.
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Nackers LM, Ross KM, Perri MG. The association between rate of initial weight loss and long-term success in obesity treatment: does slow and steady win the race? Int J Behav Med. 2010 Sep;17(3):161-7. doi: 10.1007/s12529-010-9092-y. PMID: 20443094; PMCID: PMC3780395
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Steven S, Hollingsworth KG, Al-Mrabeh A, Avery L, Aribisala B, Caslake M, et al. Very Low-Calorie Diet and 6 Months of Weight Stability in Type 2 Diabetes: Pathophysiological Changes in Responders and Nonresponders. Diabetes Care. Volume 39, Issue 5, P808-15
