4 Characteristics of Killer Weight Loss Diets

The desire to ‘look good’ is natural to humans, and the history of weight loss diets and other efforts dates way back. Body image’ stereotypes have existed in different societies since time immemorial. These stereotypes have increasingly become emphasized or skewed by the global societies over time as the widespread use and accessibility of social media platforms take effect.

Instagram (popularly referred to as The Gram), Facebook, and Twitter comprise some of the leading social media platforms where shared stuff can go viral. With some people focusing on the image, glamour, and high profile lifestyle as the key things that determine life, success, and human worth, vulnerable populations are getting drawn into that life. The obsession with physical ‘beauty (whatever the parameters are) and image does not come as a surprise then. Besides the obsession with body image, individual and corporates have cropped up promising quick weight loss.

Are you Healthy, Overweight, or Underweight?

There is a difference between being healthy (regardless of the physical outlook) and being unhealthy (overweight or underweight). If anything can hammer this point, it is the Series Supersize vs Superskinny.

Let us Talk Weight Loss

In this post, I will talk about the unhealthy and worrying Weight Loss Trend. Whereas it is a good idea for overweight people to lose weight to minimize or curb the related health problems, any and all weight loss diets/ regimes/ progammes should not endanger a person’s life.

First of all, we have to acknowledge that some people’s desire to lose weight has nothing to do with health reasons but more to do with social pressure. In some instances, the desire to lose weight has nothing to do with health or social reasons but rather deeply personal-engrained reasons. Some weight loss reasons are valid and some, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), need to be addressed.

NB: BDD and why it should worry you

BDD is a mental condition that is characterized by a dislike or hatred of one’s body part(s). In mild cases, a person with BDD is just uncomfortable displaying the body part they hate to the public. In extensive instances, some people go to extreme lengths to change their ‘hated’ body parts to resemble what they believe is the perfect version of themselves.

Characteristics of Killer Weight Loss Diets/ Regimes

The saying “Nothing Comes Easy” has been abused in countless instances. Whereas it is true that losing weight require sacrifice, effort, and consistency, no one should have to persevere health-risking workout or diets in the name of losing weight.

1. Starvation

Most weight blame excessive calories intake for the excessive weight. As such, some of these weight loss diets and regimes seek to reverse the process by reducing or cutting the intake of calories.

The human body requires sufficient calories (the right quantities of the necessary nutrients) for all body and mind functions. Any weight loss diet that cuts off the sufficient provision of nutrients to the body is a killer weight loss diet.

You may think that starving yourself will get you to lose weight. Sure. You will lose weight and lose your LIFE in the process. Your body and mind need a certain daily quantity of nutrients to function healthily. Insufficient nutrients will cause your body organs/ systems and the brain to malfunction, and if the situation is not monitored, the systems could be irreversibly damaged. Infertility, respiratory problems, digestive problems, etc. are problems of both excessive weight and insufficient nutrients.

Take Away:

If you are worried that your weight is purely a result of what you eat (see an example of secret eaters), try portion control. Portion control focuses on a person reducing his/ her food intake portions but maintaining healthy quantities of a balanced diet.

In the case of morbidly obese persons, their weight loss should be monitored by a doctor who can assess their body’s functions and the quantities of the nutrients they should take and at what frequency. Watch examples of monitored weight loss treatments here: Fat Doctor, DOCS (weight loss ward) and supersize vs superskinny.

2. Extreme weight loss regimes

I shudder at the thought of what some people are willing to consume to ‘lose weight’. I am sure everyone of us has heard of this or that weight loss pill, ‘lose weight in one day using this drug’, ‘mix these ingredients to lose weight in two days’, etc.  Whereas I have nothing personal against these claims, I worry that the human body is not as simple to fix as these pills, smoothies and other drugs claim. Not to mention that some of the ingredients in those weight loss regimes are not guaranteed to make anyone lose weight, and have probably not been tested for safe human use.

Some concoctions should not be tried out unless under the prescription of a doctor or nutritionist. Some people are allergic to some of the ingredients in some weight loss pills and ingesting such pills could be fatal or have the opposite of the intended effects.

3. Extreme physical exercise

If any of you ever watched the Sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (well, I have watched it countless times 🙂 ) you probably watched the scene where Joey tried a crash fitness course overnight and ended up with a hernia. Not only was the hernia excruciating, but it costed him a few job interviews because he could not move or talk properly, and I am not sure he got an offer for the last interview. Courtesy of his hernia, Joey had to be assisted to take a bath by Chandler (and they swore to never talk about that bit EVER).

Here is the point. Physical exercise is good for us. Some physical stretched such as walking, jogging, a few press-ups or push-ups are harmless. The human body can take quite some strain. That, however, does not justify anyone trying out extensively strenuous exercises without guidance; not in the gym and definitely not alone. In the gym, trying out unmonitored strenuous exercises could not only result in hernias, dislocated joints, broken bones, etc. but could also lead to more physical injuries that may be caused by the gym equipments.\

A hernia is an injury that results from a tearing of your skin which exposes the organs just below the skin. I hear it is PAINFUL and fatal. Hernia can occur when you strain too much. Stomach hernia are the most common and result from strenuous stomach exercises that break the stomach skin and your intestines or other organs bulge out; Doesn’t sound like a pretty sight.

Take Away

Do not take ‘extreme exercises can be dangerous’ as an excuse to be lazy. Get up and cheer your body safely. Be cautious at the gym too. Your gym instructors may know what they are doing but only YOU can feel the extent of strain that your body can endure.

A friend of mine hit the gym and was doing well until a new instructor pushed her too hard. Instead of her accepting that she was not at the level of training the instructor was pushing her to, she tried to brace on. She ended up puking all over (thankfully nothing more happened to her) and on that day, she quit any gym ambitions.

4. Lethal Combination

Whereas some pretentious weightloss ‘solutions’ promise weight loss without a person doing anything, there are programs that combine multiple weight loss aspects. If managed well, a variety of several SAFE weight loss aspects have the most effective and sustainable weight loss results.

For your own safety, AVOID any program that requires you to work out on an empty stomach or with just ‘juice’ or a fruit.

Avoid such a program especially if the workout involves the use of moving machine/ equipment such as treadmills, weight lifts equipment, automotives, etc. Your body needs SOLID energy during intense physical exercise.

Let me illustrate

One day I overslept and, therefore, did not have ample time for a solid breakfast before I went cycling. I thought it was not a big deal and I would go for only half a loop and eat when I came back. I swallowed a few sips of milk and chewed on an apple as I carried my bike down from the 5^th floor where I lived. I had my bottle of water (stay dehydrated – I told myself) and my riding gear.

By the time I got to the ground floor, I was feeling a bit tired. I ignored it, put on my helmet and gloves and rolled off on my bike. Going downhill was as thrilling as ever. I have a rule: since I do not weigh much but still love a few bike rides, I roll downhill, cycle on flat and slightly-increasing gradient, and push my bike uphill as I walk slowly. I want to stay healthy and have fun; not lose all my weight in the name of cycling.

On this day, I cycled up-gradient a bit and my feet felt weak. I hopped off my bike and decided to push it the rest of the way uphill. For once in my life, I felt like . I felt like throwing my lovely bike and calling an ambulance to pick me up. I was so weak (not tired) that breathing felt like it was taking up all my energy. Every step felt herculean. The water I sipped regularly felt like it was cutting my intestines and creating a vacuum in my tummy. Worst feeling ever.

I managed to get to the top of the mountain, sorry hill, sorry; it was just a slightly elevated point but it felt like Everest. I hopped on my bike with all the will I had and rolled off and cycled the rest of the way home. Thankfully, my reflector jacket, extremely luminous red helmet, and my extremely luminous blue bike rails meant that every driver and every human within a kilometer saw me on the road.

“By the way I do not love that much colour in real life but when I am on the road, my paranoia for safety overrides everything; I have to talk myself out of carrying a loud vuvuzela and a headlight that shines brighter than the sun.

Long story short:

I did not waiver on the road but I still appreciated my conspicuous gear – which would NOT have saved me or other road users if I had fallen on the road. I got home safely. Please note that I live on 5^th floor and that  there are no bike parks in my building or closeby? I chose 5^th floor because I DO like the stairs; but on this day, I wished to throw away my bike and then beg someone to carry me up those floors. No luck in either. I had to carry my bike and my body up the stairs and almost collapsed at my door step.

I swore to never leave the house for a ride without consuming enough energy-giving foods. I totally ignore those ‘refrain from carbohydrates’ calls if I am going for intense physical exercise. Trust me you would if you ever run out of enough fuel to breathe or lift a finger.

My story may sound simple but there is nothing safe about what I did on that day. I was not following any weightlos s program, but my body still needed its nutrients and energy for my activities. Some weight loss programmes may promise you 10kg weight loss within a day if you do not take anything and run a marathon or hit the gym. Be worried. Be very worried. A hernia or any other injury is not what you sign up for in your weight loss programme.

What Safe Weight Loss Characteristics Should I Look For?

Healthy Weight Loss

• Should not deny the body the necessary nutrients
• Should not expose the body to physical injuries
• Should not introduce illness causing pathogens into the body

How should I approach weight loss diets/ regimes?

• Check what it promises. If it sounds too good to be true, approach with caution.
• Check the ingredients and then GOOGLE every one of them/ or better yet consult a doctor to learn about the working mechanism, side effects, etc. of the diet/ regime.
• Check reviews from customers. Be sure to read as many reviews as possible and consult with others. Remember fake reviews exist so do not believe everything.
• Start small: Once you are satisfied with the information you gather about your weight loss diet/ regime, try a small sample first. Much smaller than the required dosage. You may be allergic to something listed or not listed as an ingredient of your regime. If all seems well in a couple of days, take your diet or regime as instructed.

NB: Monitor your body regularly. If the side effects seem out of place – like extreme headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, extreme nausea, etc. – stop that diet/ regime and seek medical consultation.

Parting Shot:

“When it comes to your health, do not take unreasonable chances.”

“Weight Loss will be the last thing on your mind if you are hospitalized, put on a drip, or in a coma due to bogus weight loss diets/ regimes.”

We are all going to die someday. Don’t accelerate your death with weight loss products that do not work for you.

“There are numerous healthy and safe weight loss regimes. Stick to those.”