People resort to all kinds of methods to achieve rapid weight loss. But no matter how hard they try, there are some weight loss methods that just do not work. Naturally, you’ll want to avoid that frustrating outcome at any cost.  Therefore, it’s a good idea to inform yourself about rapid weight loss, how to achieve it, how much is too much, and what mistakes to avoid.  The more you know about the impact of your efforts, the better you will be able to ensure you reach your goals.

Types of Dieting Goals

There are two primary types of weight loss goals:

• Rapid weight loss achieved over the short term
• Slower, gradual fat loss shed over time

Many of us find that first category to be extremely appealing. After all, who wants to have to stay on a diet any longer than needed? That said, it’s that very attitude that can end up holding you back in the long run.  In fact, taking a short-term perspective toward body weight often not only leads to a lack of goal achievement, but it can actually make it easier to regain the lost weight – and more!

Avoiding Too Rapid Weight Loss

As appealing as it may be to achieve rapid weight loss, going to fast with the plan to stop once you reach your goal is short-sighted and typically leads to yo-yo dieting.  On the other hand, when you take a more gradual approach, you direct your thinking toward the long term.

You can still achieve a certain amount of rapid weight loss if you take on a healthy and gradual long-term strategy. Typically, this will involve losing 1 to 2 pounds each week. That may not be as fast as you’d have liked, but it will certainly make a difference that you’ll see and feel – as will those around you.  Moreover, at that rate, the pounds you lose are more likely to stay gone.

Long-Term Healthy Weight Management

By keeping up a gradual strategy instead of focusing too intensely on rapid weight loss, you’ll end up building some solid lifestyle habits.  The more you practice these healthy activities such as eating nutrient dense foods and keeping physically active, for example, the easier they will be to keep up over the long term.  The key is to focus on building these lifestyle habits into your life in a way that you’ll be able to continue doing them for years to come.

After all, your weight management doesn’t stop once you reach your goal.  If you slip back into old habits, you’ll only regain the pounds.  Instead, shift your intentions away from rapid weight loss and start to think in terms of realistic and healthy body mass management.