Losing weight quickly, especially unintentionally (more than 5% of body weight in 6-12 months), can stem from stress, dietary changes, increased activity, or medications, but it's also a key symptom of underlying issues like diabetes, thyroid problems, digestive diseases (celiac, IBD), mental health conditions (depression, anxiety), infections, or even cancer, requiring a doctor's visit to diagnose the cause and prevent serious complications.
Some causes of unintentional weight loss include: mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) problems with digestion, such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hormone conditions, such as an overactive thyroid or type 1 diabetes.
Ahead, senior clinical dietitian Jessica Tilton shares tips for making your weight loss stick long term.
Contact your provider if: You or a family member loses more weight than is considered healthy for their age and height. You have lost more than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or 5% of your normal body weight over 6 to 12 months or less, and you do not know the reason. You have other symptoms in addition to the weight loss.
Rapid weight loss can stem from various factors, including a high metabolism, intense exercise, stress, dietary changes, or underlying medical conditions. While some of these causes may be benign or even intentional, others could signal deeper health issues that require attention. As Dr.
You should step on the scale first thing in the morning. That's when you'll get your most accurate weight because your body has had the overnight hours to digest and process whatever you ate and drank the day before. And you should try to turn that step into a regular part of your routine.
A medical or mental health condition may cause this weight loss. There isn't an exact number for when weight loss becomes a medical concern. In general, see your healthcare professional if you lose more than 5% of your weight in 6 to 12 months when you aren't trying to lose weight.
Unexplained weight loss
If you've lost more than 5% of your body weight during the past 6 to 12 months talk to your health care provider.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Elizabeth Lowden, an endocrinologist at the Northwestern Medicine Weight Loss Surgery and Metabolic Health Center in the United States, states that a general guideline is to lose between 0.45 kg to 0.9 kg per week or 1.6 kg to 3.6 kg per month. In other words, this is about 5-10% of your body weight.
No single body part loses fat first. Everyone loses fat from different places initially, depending on a variety of factors. In general, women may lose fat from their legs first, and men may lose fat from their torsos first — but it's highly individual.
Eat small, frequent meals to help build a healthy appetite. Plan for 3 meals and 2-3 snacks each day. Quick Snack ideas – crackers and cheese, yogurt and fruit, peanut butter toast, fruit and nut mixes, hard boiled eggs, tuna or egg salad on crackers.
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.
Some types of cancer can also make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients (called malabsorption). Weight loss may be more common in lung cancer and upper gastrointestinal cancers such as pancreatic, stomach and esophageal cancer.
Long-term conditions, particularly in later stages of disease
If you're losing weight without trying and you're concerned about it, consult your health care provider. As a rule of thumb, losing more than 5% of your weight over 6 to 12 months may indicate a problem.
Her diet included meals like vegetable poha, fruit, roti, and grilled chicken. Alia trained with Yasmin Karachiwala, blending Pilates, cardio, and strength exercises. Her 7-day routine included running, push-ups, yoga, squats, and crunches to tone and lose weight.
In the end, remember the three C's of weight loss: Be Consistent with your exercise, Change the movements and workouts (if not every session, at least every 6-8 weeks), and Control your eating habits.
Some of the ways she's lost weight include walking, eating more protein, and medication to help with how her body processes food. Clarkson started some of these changes to her diet and exercise routines when she moved to New York City, where she hosts "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
There isn't an exact number for when weight loss becomes a medical concern. In general, see your healthcare professional if you lose more than 5% of your weight in 6 to 12 months when you aren't trying to lose weight. For example, a 5% weight loss in someone who is 160 pounds (72 kilograms) is 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms).
5 phases of a weight loss journey
Science says people who eat more are likely to move more and burn more calories. "Research suggests that when subjects were provided too few calories, their NEAT scores dropped," says Kristin Koskinen, a registered dietitian.
Causes of unexpected weight loss
Unintentional weight loss does not always have an underlying cause, such as a stressful event or eating disorder. But other common causes include: depression. hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) or over-treating an underactive thyroid.
Imaging Modalities Used to Investigate Unexplained Weight Loss