As the trend change, there are now many diets available that can help people to lose around 3-4 kg of weight in a week. Although this cannot be considered a healthy amount of weight to lose in a week, however due to the rise in the popularity of such diets many dieticians have introduced such weekly programs. Many diets that reduce calorie intake drastically can cause muscle loss and weakens the body. Generally, it is recommended to lose around 0.5-1kg per week in order to maintain results in the long-term.
Other than a diet various factors play an important role in determining the amount of weight one can lose in a week. These factors include:
Sleeping Cycle
A well-balanced sleeping cycle includes around 7-8 hours of sleep. Many studies show that majority of the working group gets only around 5-6 hours of sleep. Studies also show that not getting enough sleep can be the main reason for some people who are unable to lose weight. Poor sleep can also increase appetite as the huger hormones are released more by the body and the hormone responsible to signal fullness or suppress hunger is not released enough. Hence it is necessary to get adequate sleep in order to avoid overeating as well as to avoid craving unhealthy foods. A good sleeping cycle can help you lose more weight as compared to when you don’t get enough sleep and also helps in weight management.
Water Weight
Water weight is the first thing you lose when you start a diet. 60% of the body is made up of water and initially when you weigh yourself after a day or two the difference in the scale is due to the water weight. Water weight is easy to lose however it comes back easily as well. Hence it is necessary to understand that body fat doesn’t change overnight and requires patience as well as consistency.
In some cases, even after a proper diet some people feel heaviness and bloating that can be caused by excess water weight. In such conditions, a person can have difficulty achieving their desired weight loss goals. Hence it is recommended to reduce the intake of sodium as it can cause water retention. Exercise can also be beneficial as it not only helps in weight loss but also helps to remove extra water from the body as sweat. Also, dehydration can cause water retention hence drinking more water can also help to reduce water weight.
Protein Intake
Protein is a very important nutrient for a healthy weight loss. Increased intake of protein helps to improve metabolism and also reduces appetite. It helps to reduce appetite by reducing the levels of hunger hormones and increases the level of hormone that helps you feel full for a longer time, this helps you to eat fewer calories and also helps you to avoid overeating. Eating foods that are high in protein throughout the day also helps you to burn more extra calories. Studies show that by consuming a protein-rich diet one can burn around 80-100 extra calories in a day. Increasing protein intake helps you to stick to your diet routine not only at the initial stage but later on as well.
Calorie Deficit
It is necessary to maintain a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. To achieve calorie deficit you need to consume fewer calories as compared to the number of calories you burn. When your body is in a calorie deficit for at least for a few weeks it results in weight loss. To ascertain your calorie deficit you should know how many calories are required to maintain your weight. To do so you can use a weight planner calculator or any other calculator from a trustworthy site. After determining your required calories you can reduce around 500 calories per day to achieve weight loss. Generally reducing 500 calories is considered safe as it does not drastically affect your body. However, if you face any problem in following such a diet it is advised to talk with a nutritionist or a dietician.
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Muscle Mass
Muscle mass is necessary for body functions and movements. Muscle loss can affect body functions negatively. Sometimes a person can lose their muscle mass rather than body fat. This happens when you restrict carbs, protein, or fats to an extreme. A healthy diet includes 45-60% carbs, 20-35% protein, and 20-35% fats. When any of this percentage is reduced to an extreme it can cause muscle loss. If you are losing weight too quickly it can be due to muscle loss. Hence it is advised to maintain a healthy diet that doesn’t restrict any essential nutrient and also include strength training in your routine. Strength training also helps you to lose weight easily and quickly by burning body fat and also provides you with healthier muscles.
Stress
Stress can be the prime reason for many people that cause weight gain or prevent them from losing weight. Stress hormones can increase the desire to eat that can cause weight gain. Studies suggest that stress is also related to excess abdominal or belly fat. It can also affect the metabolism negatively thus making it difficult to lose weight. Stress is also linked to poor sleep, both are said to have a negative effect on one’s eating habits thus it is necessary to practice methods that help you to control as well as eliminate stress. It is advised to practice yoga, meditation, or any other mindful activity that can help with stress and also improves your mental health.
Workout
Exercise is considered to be a great way to burn those extra calories and also helps you to get in shape. It also boosts your metabolism and can help you burn more calories when your body is at rest. Mixing up the right kind of exercise helps you to gain maximum benefit even in less time. Resistance training, as well as cardio, can lead to a similar amount of weight loss however, resistance training can also help you to improve muscle strength. It is also effective in reducing water weight and results can be seen within a week. Adding some high-intensity interval training commonly known as (HIIT) can boost your results and also provides you with various health benefits. It is also necessary to take a day or two off to let the muscles heal and to avoid overdoing it. A healthy diet combined with the right workout routine can help you lose weight easily as well as in a healthy manner.
Bottom line
One can lose 0.5kg-4.5kg of weight within a week however it is necessary to understand that aiming for higher weight loss in a short time is not considered healthy and should be avoided. It is ideal to set goals according to your body type and work with what suits you best as aiming for higher weight loss can cause various problems that can affect your health negatively. It should also be noted comparing your goals and plans with others often lead to frustration hence it should be avoided. Weight loss requires patience and consistency hence it is necessary to keep doing the efforts even after some setbacks.