When looking to lose weight many people fall prey to the quick weight loss gimmicks. People don't understand or fail to care that weight loss should be done gradually. With the pressures of society, many will do anything to fit into a size 4 or look good for the summer. This is fine, just don't do it in a quick and destructive manner.

When people lose weight too quickly like on 1,000 calorie per day diets or even worse on crash diets, they may be setting themselves up for medical problems. Crash diets for example can lead to a loss of water and muscle which ultimately does not help in their weight loss efforts. Here's a fact: when someone crash diets, each pound of weight loss contains more lean tissue(muscle) and less body fat than a moderate weight loss diet. When you are trying to lose weight you want to burn the fat, not the muscle.

When an individual engages in a quick weight loss regimen they will begin to feel tired and sluggish more often. This is due to the lessened amount of calories being taken in. When this happens, the body's metabolic rate slows down. The results of a slower metabolic rate are less energy and more fat storage. Your goal is to speed up the body's fat burning engine, not slow it down. This can be accomplished by eating more small meals throughout the day. Your goal is to burn the fat and not store it.

Along with an increased fat store, crash dieting can have long term effects. One big problem is the bodies inability to maintain the weight that was lost. This can be attributed to the fact that the body's metabolic rate had slowed and lean tissue has been lost. What people often don't know is that when you do regain the weight coming off a crash diet it will not be muscle, but more fat. For many, this type of dieting turns into a vicious cycle, one in which it can be hard to come out of.

When trying to lose weight it pays to be patient rather than resorting to these tactics. There are many reasons for this. First, when you gradually reduce calorie intake it gives your body time to adjust, helps the body preserve lean muscle mass and will help you sustain energy. Second, you'll be able to maintain your strength and stamina. Finally, you help the bodies ability to process oxygen which aids in fat burning for fuel.

In closing, when you lose weight gradually, you not only look better but feel better as well. Crash diets will be around for years to come but don't fall prey. They will only hamper your efforts for permanent weight loss.