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Extreme Weight Loss: Is It Ever Really Safe?

by | May 22, 2019 | Last updated Jan 10, 2023

Take a look around and you will notice advertisements everywhere depicting an individual losing weight quickly and easily with restrictive eating habits, intense calorie counting, diet fads, a miracle powder, diet pills, and various other methods that guarantee weight loss that is speedy and simple.There seems to be a new diet plan or method coming out each week and discerning safe from unsafe or fact from fiction can be overwhelming.

Is this method effective? It can be! Will it be sustainable? Probably not! Is it safe? That can be answered with a definitive NO!

It may be tempting to try out one of these new fad diets or programs that guarantee significant results and offers empty promises to get to your dream size or weight in no time at all! However, is this method healthy for your body and realistic to maintain? Research has shown that the answer to this question is a resounding no. The safety of these tactics comes into question when it has been show that weight loss exceeding 3.3 pounds per week can be dangerous for the obese population.

Safety is our number one concern at Noom and we want your weight loss methods to be first and foremost, SAFE. There are medical risks with losing weight at an extremely fast pace and we want to work with you to make small, healthy changes that aid in a healthy weight loss rate.

Noom is the Opposite of Extreme

With that knowledge and awareness that extreme weight loss is not safe for our bodies, Noom has created a program that encompasses a sustainable lifestyle change and is the opposite of these quick-fix, extreme weight loss methods. Noom utilizes behavior change and psychological techniques to make small, realistic changes for a healthier you.

At Noom, we do not expect you to make any sweeping, extreme changes that are impossible to achieve or are unrealistic to maintain in the long run. We provide you with a coach, known as your goal specialist to work with you one-on-one to set achievable goals that are safe and reasonable. Along with that, you will receive a group coach who will lead a group of Noomers to help support you on your journey to losing weight in a sustainable way.

Week by week, your goal specialist and group coach will continually connect with you to delve deeper into what weight loss method is most effective for you and work to create goals that are realistic to achieve. This support system is valuable as you will have constant contact readily available at Noom. Connecting with other Noomers adds to the weight loss experience as you interact and gain support along with motivation in various ways throughout the app. This is your journey and discovering what is most effective for you to lose weight safely is of utmost importance!

Realistic Weight Loss Goals

Studies have shown that a healthy weight loss rate can be anywhere from 1/2 pound to 2 pounds per week. When you sign up for Noom, you are able to set your weight loss goal and the app automatically calculates your personalized calorie budget based on your activity level and desired weight loss speed. If you find the speed too fast or too slow, you have the power to adjust it and control your journey. No extreme measures are needed! This individualized method ensures the safety of your weight loss goals.

Let’s solidify this with some simple math! It can be helpful to remember that 1 pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories. Thus, in order to lose 1 pound per week, you would need to burn an extra 500 calories than you intake (or eat) each day! It is a simple math formula of 500 calories multiplied by 7 days which equals 3500 calories. Remember that basic equation when you want to eat that last bite of cookie or high calorie dessert!

Check Out Noom!

As tempting and reasonable as a quick and easy weight loss program may sound, these extreme measures are not safe for our body! We at Noom want to help dig into the deeper issues of your challenges with weight loss rather than trying to solve it with a “quick fix” that will not last over the long term. That is why we focus on behavior change coupled with discovering each Noomer’s individual triggers, mindset, obstacles, motivation, and reasons for starting this weight loss journey. Diving into these psychological mindsets and behaviors helps to solidify the changes you make and creates an environment where these modifications are sustainable.

We do not expect you to eliminate a certain food group, cut out all sugar and sweets, or attempt some other extreme form of weight loss simply to have immediate effects. We will work with you to discover methods that are doable and sustainable in the long run. Join us at Noom to see how you can get started toward a healthier lifestyle with realistic expectations and a safe weight loss program with constant supervision along the way.