How much weight can you lose in a week?
THE WEB IS FULL with dramatic (& sometimes true) weight reduction changes.
From the person who lost 7 pounds in his first week to the guy who lost 265 pounds in a year. If they can, you can, right? No.
Some people can drop 5 pounds in the first few weeks or months of dieting, but for many, it's unhealthy & unattainable.
David Creel, Ph.D., R.D., a psychologist & registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic's Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, says a lot depends on a person's initial weight.
Your body is extremely protective of the weight you already have, so the longer you diet, the tougher it might be to see the scale move. Why?
As we lose weight, our metabolism slows, causing us to burn less calories. Dr. Creel compares it to removing a backpack. Everything uses less energy—breathing, walking, etc.
The less weight you have, the more your body will cling to it, making it tougher to drop. “When you reach a healthy weight, we'll cease compensating,” he explains.
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