One of the most intriguing and much-awaited portions of the film Aadujeevitham, which is releasing today, is the transformation of actor Prithviraj. He famously lost around 31 kg within a few months to nail the 'starved look' of his character Najeeb.
The actor has said in various interviews that his weight loss process was not healthy and said he wouldn't go to such extremes for a movie again. However, is it possible to lose that many extra kilos in months in a healthy manner?
The healthy weight loss pattern
Prithviraj's trainer Ajith Babu told an online portal that the challenge was to train the actor to look like a survivor. "It needed to look natural. He was on a calorie-deficit diet to look the part, but we also had a recovery plan set in motion along with the weight loss. It was important as once he finished project, he had to recover and look well for the other films he had committed." This shows that while the actor was probably consuming a lot less than his usual meals, the support of professionals and planning ensured a healthy weight loss pattern.
According to experts, a healthy weight loss for a normal person ranges from 0.5 to 1 kg, that is 1 to 2 pounds, a week. This equates to around 4 kg or 8 pounds maximum a month. You can consult a healthcare professional before starting the weight loss regime to follow, taking into account your health conditions and circumstances. They can design a calorie-deficit diet for you, which will help you consume fewer calories than you expend. It will aim for a reduced calorie intake and also an increased level of activity. This also needs to be coupled with adequate hydration, moderate-to-intense aerobic activity, enough sleep and proper monitoring of the progress.
Risks involved in faster weight loss
It is important to understand that weight loss doesn't always indicate improved health. Rapid weight loss can be quite tough on your body, if not done for the right goals and medical support. If you resort to methods like extreme caloric restriction without professional supervision, it can result in muscle loss, developing gallstones, electrolyte imbalances, slowed metabolism and a lower quality of life. As a famous English proverb goes, a poor weight-loss plan can be equal to digging your grave with your knife and fork. Therefore, let's not jeopardise our lives just to shed a few pounds.
