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SPORTS - FITNESS SPORTS - FITNESS 

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HEALTHY LIVINGHEALTHY LIVING

Mountain View News Saturday, May 3, 2025


DANGERS OF RAPID 
WEIGHT LOSS

When people decide to lose weight, they usually 
want it to happen fast. It’s exciting to see numbers 
drop on the scale. But losing weight too quickly 
can actually be dangerous for your body and your 
health. Even though it’s great to see fast results, the 
truth is that slow and steady weight loss is much safer, 
and it leads to better long-term success.

One of the biggest problems with rapid weight loss 
is muscle loss. When you drop a lot of weight in a 
short time, your body doesn’t just burn fat — it also 
breaks down muscle. Losing muscle might not seem 
like a big deal at first, but it is. Muscle is important 
because it keeps your metabolism working properly. 
Metabolism is the process your body uses to turn 
food into energy. The more muscle you have, the 
more calories your body burns even when you’re 
just sitting still. If you lose muscle, your metabolism 
slows down, which makes it easier to gain the weight 
back later. You might end up in a cycle of losing weight fast, then gaining it back even 
faster.

Another serious risk of rapid weight loss is gallstones. Gallstones are small, hard lumps 
that form in the gallbladder, a small organ near your liver. They can cause a lot of pain, 
especially if they block the flow of bile, which helps your body digest fat. People who 
lose weight very quickly are at a much higher risk of developing gallstones. Sometimes, 
gallstones get so bad surgery is needed to remove the gallbladder. This is definitely not 
something you want to deal with when you’re trying to get healthier.

Rapid weight loss can also cause problems with getting enough important nutrients. 
Many crash diets or extreme eating plans cut out entire food groups or limit calories so 
much that it’s almost impossible to get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. 
This can lead to all sorts of problems like feeling tired all the time, getting sick more 
easily, losing hair, and even damaging your bones over time. Your body needs a variety 
of healthy foods — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats — to work 
properly. Skipping meals, starving yourself, or cutting out important foods can hurt you 
much more than a few extra pounds ever could.

Your heart can also be affected by fast weight loss. Big changes in your weight can put 
extra stress on your heart and make it work harder than it should. This is especially risky 
for people who already have heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Even if you 
feel fine at first, sudden weight loss can make it harder for your heart to keep up. Your 
heart depends on a steady balance of fluids and minerals to pump blood properly. When 
you lose weight fast, it has to work harder to maintain blood pressure and circulation.

There’s also a mental side to losing weight too quickly. Quick weight loss plans can lead 
to mood swings, depression, anxiety, and unhealthy relationships with food. Some people 
become obsessed with the number on the scale and start to tie their self-worth to 
it. Others end up binging on food after a period of extreme dieting, which can lead to 
feelings of guilt and shame. This rollercoaster isn’t good for mental health and makes it 
harder to stick with healthy habits over time.

Our bodies aren’t made to change overnight. Real, lasting weight loss takes time. Most 
experts agree that losing about one to two pounds a week is a safe and realistic goal. It 
might not sound thrilling but losing just one pound a week adds up to over fifty pounds 
in a year. That’s a huge change. One you’re much more likely to keep.

Instead of focusing only on the scale, it’s better to think about building habits that will 
last a lifetime. Eating a variety of healthy foods, moving your body regularly, getting 
enough sleep, managing stress, and drinking enough water are all part of the big picture. 
When you take care of your body in a balanced way, weight loss becomes a welcome side 
effect of getting healthier.

If you’re trying to lose weight, be patient with yourself. Celebrate small victories like having 
more energy, getting more restful sleep, or noticing that your clothes fit better. Those 
signs mean your body is getting stronger and healthier, even if the changes on the scale 
are slow. Remember, the goal isn’t just to lose weight. The goal is to build a body and a 
life you can enjoy for many years to come.

 
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THOREAU'S CODE FOR LIFE: 

 WEEK TWO - ENDEAVORING

Previously, we began exploring Thoreau's code: "If one advances 
confidently in the direction of their dreams, endeavoring to live the 
life they imagined, they meet with a success unexpected in common 
hours." We focused on defining success on your own terms and identifying 
daily steps toward achieving it.

Notice how Thoreau's code is rich with action words. "Advance" 
tells us to go forward in the direction of our dreams. It means movement—
you've got to start somewhere. You've got to take action, that first step.

And how do we move? "Confidently," Thoreau tells us. But this week, let's focus on another powerful 
verb in his code: "endeavoring."

The Art of Endeavoring

To endeavor means to make an earnest attempt—to strive toward achieving a goal. It acknowledges 
something profound about the human journey of becoming: we're often attempting things 
we've never done before, which means we have to manage unfamiliar feelings along the way.

You might feel fear as you endeavor. But what meaning will you attach to that fear? Rather than 
thinking, "This means I should stop" or "This means I'm in danger," consider a different interpretation: 
"This means I'm growing. This means I'm doing something new. This means I'm on the path 
to adventure."

What if that flutter in your stomach isn't fear at all, but excitement? What if you spoke to yourself 
in a supportive, loving way that offers a fresh perspective on managing your feelings around taking 
new action?

Managing the Feedback Loop

Another feeling we must manage as we endeavor is our response to what we often label as "failure"—
when things don't go as expected, hoped, or planned. Rather than focusing on the result and 
calling it a failure, what if we viewed it differently?

This is feedback. This is simply information telling me what doesn't work. Let it act as guidance, 
encouraging me to try another approach. This is intelligence keeping me on the path.

Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize

As we endeavor toward our dreams, it's vital that we train ourselves to keep our eyes on the finish 
line while simultaneously enjoying the journey. Find happiness in remaining in action. Decide to 
enjoy the person you're becoming along the way.

Thoreau's philosophy isn't just about reaching some distant goal—it's about the transformation 
that occurs while endeavoring. The unexpected success comes not just from achieving your 
dreams but also from who you become through your efforts.

This Week's Practice

 Notice when fear or hesitation arises as you take action. Reframe it: "This feeling means I'm 
growing."

When something doesn't work out as planned, practice saying: "This is valuable feedback, not 
failure."

Each day, find joy in one aspect of your journey—not just your destination.

Celebrate the small wins that come from continued endeavoring.

Next week, we'll explore the final part of Thoreau's code: experiencing "success unexpected in 
common hours." Until then, keep endeavoring, growing, and embracing the journey with confidence 
and joy.

Lori A. Harris is an award-winning transformational coach for the extraordinary results her clients achieve. 
Learn more about her at loriaharris.com


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