Slow vs. Fast Weight Loss: Which One’s More Sustainable? Here’s What Jillian Michaels Has to Say

Slow and steady wins the race; this is what you’ll often hear from the wise when it comes to achieving anything, whether it’s learning a new craft, starting on a new job, and embarking on a new adventure.

But this adage is also applicable to losing weight, as far-fetched as it may sound. We are now in an era of quickly changing beauty trends and diet fads, all in order to fit the mold the society has built for us.

But while many of the popular diets and weight-loss hacks promise quick results, they come with their fair share of health risks. Unfortunately, those who want instant results will try anything to get the body of their dreams, but at the expense of their overall health and metabolism. However, this shouldn’t be the case.

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The beauty and entertainment industry puts a lot of emphasis on weight loss or #bodygoals, but it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone has the same body type, hence there’s no one size that fits all when it comes to losing weight.

That said, when health is your number one priority (as it should be), you should never trust fads and fixes that sound too good to be true — because they probably are. It sounds tempting to try out a newly introduced way that can help you slim down in time for the upcoming party or engagement but think about it in the long run.

Maybe you just want to shed off some pounds for the next high school reunion or just because you adore seeing the numbers on the scale go down, whatever the reason may be, think for a second if the hype is worth trying or the bandwagon seems too dubious.

Research on Rate of Losing Weight

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If you are rushing into slimming down, better think if that could benefit you

You wouldn’t want to risk your health for a false promise, so despite the peer pressure imposed by the society to fit into the mold, it is best that you take things at your own pace.

A recent study published in “Journal of Obesity” found that those who lost weight quickly didn’t gain any more benefits than those who took their time in losing the extra pounds.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 11,200 patient-attendees at the Wharton Medical Clinic Weight Management Program between June 2008 and June 2017.

They found that it’s not really the speed that matters when it comes to losing weight, what’s more significant is the number of pounds you lose at the end of the day.

York University’s Faculty of Health associate professor Jennifer Kuk warned that the rate at which you lose weight should also be taken into consideration because faster weight loss tends to increase the risk of gallstones, a point that is consistent with previous studies.

Cons of Fast Weight Loss

Several studies have proved that losing weight quickly can have negative side effects on your body such as severe nutrient deficiencies. This is especially true for those who undereat with the mindset that they won’t gain weight if they don’t consume enough calories.

The common logic behind this finding is that food carries vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs in order to function properly. If you deprive yourself of these essential nutrients, you will become sluggish and feel irritated all the time because you’re hungry and you don’t have the energy to do things.

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Starving yourself can result in a nutritional deficiency

The “yo-yo” dieting can also come into play with the obsessive weight loss mindset, which will lead to a perpetual cycle of gaining and losing weight due to unhealthy eating habits.

This pattern could be more destructive than you think because it could harm your health in the long run, which goes back to the first point that you need to make sure that you’re losing weight slowly but surely.

Along with this, it is best that you get an expert’s advice on what diet plan and workout routines you should try if your goal is weight loss.

Recommendation

Although the study found no significant difference in the rate at which the weight loss happened, Kuk advises that people should only stick to shedding off a maximum of 2 pounds per week, a suggestion that is in line with general health guidelines to ensure a healthier, more sustainable weight loss.

Celebrity fitness advocate Jillian Michaels seems to mimic the same sentiments and as she said on her website, the speed is not a factor, but what matters is the method.

Jillian Michaels said what’s important is the method of losing weight and not the speed

She pointed out that if you adhere to clean eating and proper exercise, you’re more likely to keep off the weight, which is what happened to her clients whom she helped lose weight.

Furthermore, Michaels said that if you try fad diets and other insane measures to lose weight, you’re probably going to regain what you’ve lost, maybe even more.