Rapid Network

So you've made a decision to get serious about losing weight. Of course, you want to lose it as quickly as possible...we all do. But before you decide to start a rapid weight loss diet there are several things you should keep in mind.

Rapid weight loss diets can be a big help in getting your fat loss efforts off to a quick start, but there are also things to be careful about. When you are deciding how to get skinny fast you should probably consider the pros and cons mentioned below.

If you are generally in good health then a brief period of rapid weight loss isn't likely to hurt you. But be realistic and remember that starving yourself to get skinny is never a good idea. Be careful about some of the more radical fad diets that are promoted on the internet and elsewhere. Following a crash diet will only set you up for failure. Some of them make enormous promises, but the truth is that an extreme reduction in calories (and necessary nutrients) can be harmful. For most people, eating less than 1200 calories per day is not recommended.

Don't be deceived by the idea that a rapid weight loss diet will be a permanent solution for you if being over weight has been a chronic problem. Realistically, a change in lifestyle is needed. Even though rapid weight loss could possibly have adverse affects on your health, so can obesity. You need to get rid of those extra pounds but be careful to do it in a reasonable and healthy manor. Dehydration is a common problem when you make a significant reduction in your calorie intake. Always drink plenty of water.

I'm sure you know that it is important to include exercise in your weight loss plan. When you are trying to lose fat quickly you run the risk of losing muscle too. Having less muscle will reduce your ability to burn calories and may also affect your ability to regulate blood sugar.

Losing weight quickly can be very helpful in the beginning to keep you motivated to stay on your diet, but always keep in mind that long term success is the ultimate goal. We are sometimes so eager to lose weight that we think 1 or 2 pounds a week is just too slow. Keep in mind that 1 or 2 pounds a week is 50 to 100 pounds per year! With the right diet you can lose it faster than that in the beginning, but be realistic and remember that your goal is to not only get a slender body but to get healthy for life.

In nearly any rapid weight loss program that actually works, what really burns fat is not a diet pill or expensive pre-packaged food delivered to your door...it's nearly always the drastic reduction of calories combined with exercise.

Even though you can lose weight quickly with the right plan, remember that you still need to follow a diet that will provide all the needed nutrients to keep you healthy. When you start restricting calories it's very easy to unintentionally deprive yourself of necessary nutrients. Any diet plan that advises you to entirely eliminate certain food groups is very likely to be nutritionally unbalanced and risky.

So, before making any decisions about how to get skinny fast, be sure to consider all the various pros and cons. In spite of what some people try to tell you, not all rapid weight loss diets are bad for you. Take some time to educate yourself. Knowledge is a powerful thing. You CAN lose fat quickly and still be healthy if you do it the right way.