Ambition sizing, a concept that has endured for generations, has recently garnered attention due to its potential impact on physical and mental well-being. According to Tara Schmidt, the lead registered dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, significant weight loss tied to a specific event can adversely affect our overall health.
Schmidt emphasizes that individuals’ approach toward rapid or extreme weight loss is the most significant risk. She explains that unhealthy restrictions and other extreme measures adopted to achieve a desired aesthetic goal can lead to long-term consequences.
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The Cleveland Clinic warns that rapid weight loss can have several detrimental effects, such as muscle mass loss, metabolism disruption, and inadequate intake of essential nutrients.
Losing Weight Rapidly Can Also Cause Weight Gain
Schmidt said, “There is a very high risk of regaining that weight and possibly even ending up at a higher weight.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, rapid weight loss diets are unsustainable and can adversely affect metabolism. Additionally, extreme dieting can impact your brain by depriving it of essential energy. This deprivation can result in food obsession, difficulties with concentration, and sleep-related challenges, as highlighted by the National Eating Disorders Association.
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Is It Possible To Combat “Ambition Sizing”?
Schmidt acknowledges that desiring weight loss is acceptable and can bring positive health benefits. However, she emphasizes the significance of viewing it as a long-term, multifaceted goal. Shortcuts focused on immediate results often prioritize appearance over health. An example of this is Kim Kardashian’s highly restrictive and rapid diet to fit into her previous year’s Met Gala dress, which drew criticism for perpetuating a toxic diet culture.
She said, “Health includes blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep, stress, mental health, hydration, nourishment, not just how much you weigh.”