“Michelle, how do I lose weight quickly?”
Throughout my 30+ years in the fitness industry, this is one of the most common questions I’ve received.
Often, my answer is, “Would you rather quickly lose weight or maintain a healthy weight?”
If you’ve been with Faithful Workouts for a while, you likely know that weight loss is not our primary focus. Rather than encouraging calorie tracking and strict, short-lived diets, we encourage surrender of our body, mind and soul to God.
I realize this belief goes against what is broadcasted in our world. Everywhere we look there seems to be advertisements claiming to have the “secret” to weight loss. These ads can be profoundly damaging, as they promote unrealistic and unhealthy ideals about body image and weight loss techniques.
In an attempt to reach extreme weight loss goals, more and more women are turning to crash diets – highly restrictive dieting regimens aimed at rapid weight loss within a short period.
Participating in a crash diet is a choice I HIGHLY discourage for two main reasons: they are both ineffective and unhealthy.
Crash diets are designed to be short-term, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. They are not sustainable for long periods due to their extreme nature.
While initial weight loss may be significant, much of it can be attributed to water weight and loss of muscle mass rather than fat loss. Additionally, many individuals regain the weight once they return to their regular eating habits, sometimes even gaining back more weight than they initially lost.
Largely, this rebound weight gain is because of the impact that severe caloric restriction has on metabolism. Research indicates that crash diets can lead to metabolic slowdown, making it harder for the body to burn calories efficiently in the long run.
The short-term and long-term health risks associated with crash diets are extensive.
Studies suggest that repeated cycles of weight loss and regain, common with crash diets, may increase the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension over time.
Since crash diets commomnly eliminate entire food groups or severely restrict calorie intake, it is challenging to get adequate protein, essential fats, vitamins (like B vitamins and vitamin D), and minerals (like calcium and iron). These nutritional deficiencies have negative implications for overall health, including weakened immune function, fatigue, and increased risk of other health conditions.
Additionally, crash diets can have negative psychological effects. The extreme restrictions and focus on fast results can lead to feelings of deprivation, frustration, and a negative relationship with food. This can contribute to disordered eating patterns and negative self-thoughts.
Due to the short-lived results and health risks, crash diets are generally not recommended by health professionals for long-term weight management or overall health improvement. Instead, they advocate for balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and gradual changes that promote healthy habits for life.
I am thankful that health professionals advise people to focus on nutritional foods and daily exercise, but feel they frequently leave out another key component: faith.
As followers of Jesus, we acknowledge that true strength and endurance come from God, and we rely on His guidance and strength to make wise choices in our health journey.
Through prayer, seeking wisdom in His Word, and leaning on His grace, we find the courage to persevere through challenges, resist temptations of quick fixes, and embrace habits that honor Him and promote holistic wellbeing.
With God’s help, we can align our bodies, hearts and minds with His purpose and plan for our lives.
If you would like to dive deeper into how we can walk with God in our health journey, I put together a free, 5-day program called Diet’s Don’t Work.
As you continue down the journey to better health, I encourage you to utilize the Faithful Workouts Website. You will find 100’s of exercise videos for all fitness levels, healthy food plans and inspirational messages to encourage and uplift you.
Below, I’ve also linked to some healthy recipes from the website. Check them out!
Just as God cares deeply for our souls, He also desires us to care for our bodies with the same love and intentionality. Each step we take in this journey is not merely about exercise or diet, but about honoring God by nurturing the temple He has entrusted to us.
Crash diets, with their promises of rapid change, often overlook the deeper principles of health and wholeness that God desires for us.
Starting today, how can you intentionally invite God into your daily choices about food and health?
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