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What is Extreme Weight Loss?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Extreme weight loss or quick weight loss is defined against normal weight loss goals. In the average diet plan, losing one to two pounds (.45-.91 kg) per week is usually considered optimal. When people lose more than two pounds (.91 kg) per week, especially for several weeks at a time, this is considered fast, and significantly greater amounts can be considered extreme weight loss. While some people advocate this for the average person, most people suggest such heavy loss is only suited for the morbidly obese or only expected in those who have undergone bariatric surgery.

There are many people who want to shed weight quickly, perhaps in a couple of week’s time for some form of special event, such as a wedding, prom, or high school reunion. Dieters are usually better-served by planning to lose a little bit each week instead of trying crash diets that may temporarily drop a higher amount of poundage. Extreme weight loss of this sort lends itself to the yo-yo dieting problems so many encounter, and is often followed by, with rapid discontinuation of a diet, weight gain that equals or exceeds the loss. Changes in diet and exercise patterns that are easier to maintain and continue and that do not contribute to a sense of total food deprivation or nutritional loss are much more healthful.

Temporary, extreme diet plans can lead to gaining back the pounds soon after they're lost.
Temporary, extreme diet plans can lead to gaining back the pounds soon after they're lost.

Most forms of extreme weight loss that are non-surgical are composed of two factors. People eat a very low calorie count or in other ways have highly restricted diets like avoiding all carbs or only drinking liquids. This is usually combined with a high level of exercise, typically an hour or more a day. Large amounts of fluids are consumed to shed excess water weight and to help deal with hunger. This type of plan can notably backfire, since some people’s bodies slow down in response to the low intake of food and extra exercise. This can cause weight gain instead of loss.

Losing more than two pounds per week for an extended period of time is considered extreme weight loss.
Losing more than two pounds per week for an extended period of time is considered extreme weight loss.

The amount to which extreme weight loss is problematic increases with the amount of time spent using such a diet. Some people jumpstart a more moderate diet with a week or two of extreme dieting and others like the quick weight loss results of fast weight loss and keep pursuing aggressive dieting and exercise. The latter group is more at risk for nutritional deficits because very low calorie intake may not adequately support nutritional needs. Sometimes diet plans compensate for this through adding nutritional supplements, but these may not be enough.

People who lose weight rapidly are at risk of nutritional deficiency, which vitamin supplements may not compensate for.
People who lose weight rapidly are at risk of nutritional deficiency, which vitamin supplements may not compensate for.

Another definition of extreme weight loss is losing large amounts of weight over an undefined time period. This is common in people who have weight loss surgery and also those people who were formerly very obese and found other ways to lose the weight. It’s conceivable for people to lose hundreds of pounds; this is thought useful if it results in healthy weight maintenance. Surgical weight loss methods do create ongoing health and nutritional risks, and these require consideration.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon104788

can someone please come up with a solution to help petite people to gain weight? not everyone is obese.

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    • Temporary, extreme diet plans can lead to gaining back the pounds soon after they're lost.
      By: sframe
      Temporary, extreme diet plans can lead to gaining back the pounds soon after they're lost.
    • Losing more than two pounds per week for an extended period of time is considered extreme weight loss.
      By: Valentina R.
      Losing more than two pounds per week for an extended period of time is considered extreme weight loss.
    • People who lose weight rapidly are at risk of nutritional deficiency, which vitamin supplements may not compensate for.
      By: milosducati
      People who lose weight rapidly are at risk of nutritional deficiency, which vitamin supplements may not compensate for.
    • Extreme weight loss is common in individuals who undergo bariatric surgery.
      By: Dave
      Extreme weight loss is common in individuals who undergo bariatric surgery.
    • Extreme weight loss may be caused by an underlying eating disorder.
      By: Sylvie Bouchard
      Extreme weight loss may be caused by an underlying eating disorder.
    • Avoiding foods that are high in carbs may be part of an extreme weight loss plan.
      By: Nitr
      Avoiding foods that are high in carbs may be part of an extreme weight loss plan.