HOW MUCH WEIGHT LOSS IN A MONTH IS HEALTHY?
Weight loss is a goal for many people, but there is a right way to go about it. In the pursuit to lose weight rapidly, a lot of us end up setting ambitious and unhealthy weight loss goals. To better understand how much weight loss in a month would amount to a healthy loss of body weight, we spoke to Anshu Chaturvedi, who heads the department of clinical nutrition and dietetics, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur.
According to Chaturvedi, 500g a week is an ideal amount of body weight to lose in a month. “This amount is to be deemed healthy, provided conscious efforts such as consuming a calorie deficit and balanced diet, and regularly exercising, are made. Therefore, a target of losing 2 to 2.5kg a month would be considered healthy,” she adds.
A loss of more than 2.5kg of weight a month might put pressure on one’s internal organs and functions. “Kidneys in particular would be subjected to a high degree of pressure as toxins would be flushed out on weight loss, impacting the kidney and renal function adversely,” she explains. Since a high-protein diet is consumed when trying to lose weight usually, more pressure on kidney function than within permissible limits is created.
However, Chaturvedi also highlights that each person’s body composition and health status vary. While a loss of 500g is recommended for most people, a loss of 5 to 6kg may be fine for some, too, provided they are not feeling nauseous, weak or lethargic, and their overall health has not taken a toll.
Your overall health status should be in the green zone, your bodily movement should be
functional, and your energy levels should be adequate!
A target of losing 2 to 2.5kg a month can be considered healthy. ANSHU CHATURVEDI, Dietitian