The Fastest (and Probably Unhealthiest) Methods for Losing Weight
Viral Diets: My Experience Testing Popular Fad Diets
I tried these diets so you don’t have to—or at least to help you understand which ones actually work best for weight loss. In this post, we’re focusing on sustainability: whether a diet is something you can realistically maintain long term, or whether it leads to binge eating and eventually regaining all the weight you lost.
Throughout your weight loss journey, you may have come across many viral diets that circulate on social media. While some of these diets are not new, they continue to gain attention online, and many health experts have spoken out against their unhealthy aspects.
Viral diets are a type of fad diet that often follows a repeating pattern of bold promises and quick results. Many of these trends are criticized by clinicians and nutrition researchers due to their potential downsides, which may include nutrient deficiencies, unsustainable eating habits, and negative effects on overall health. While they may promise rapid weight loss, the long-term consequences often outweigh the short-term results.
For sustainable weight management, experts generally recommend balanced nutrition, portion control, and lifestyle changes rather than extreme or restrictive diet trends. Thus, none of the diets mentioned below are intended as medical advice.
I tried these diets as an experiment to understand how they work. However, I genuinely believe they are not the healthiest or most sustainable approach to weight management.
In my opinion, it is better to focus on more balanced and long-term strategies such as eating properly and working out. These methods are generally more flexible and easier to maintain, making them more suitable for sustainable results over time. You need extreme discipline to do any of these diet.
Egg Diet: My Experience with a High-Protein, Low-Calorie Approach
The egg diet is a low-calorie, high-protein eating plan where eggs are the main food source, often combined with vegetables or fruit for some variety and nutrients. Although I have seen YouTube videos of people eating only eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I found that very extreme version unrealistic.
I personally tried the egg diet for one week. However, I found it difficult to stick to a strict version of the plan, especially one that completely eliminated carbohydrates. Because of this, my results were not as significant as what others often report online.
Over the course of one week, I lost around 2.2 lbs. While this was a noticeable change, it was less dramatic compared to some of the weight loss results commonly associated with this diet.
Now, I am currently following a modified version of this diet. I include eggs with rice and soy sauce for about half of the week, which makes it more sustainable and realistic for my lifestyle.
How it works:
Focuses on eggs for protein and satiety
Very low in carbs and calories
Pros:
Quick weight loss (mostly water and glycogen at first)
High protein helps reduce hunger
Cons / risks:
Very limited nutrients (low fiber, vitamins, variety)
Hard to sustain long term
Can cause fatigue, constipation, and irritability
Water Diet (Water Fasting)
This type of diet involves consuming only water for a set period of time. I do not recommend this approach at all. I have never tried it myself, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be to consume only water and nothing else.
That said, there are some religious fasting practices built around similar principles, although they are usually guided by specific traditions and rules.
In my opinion, a 24-hour fast should be the longest anyone attempts without medical supervision. Longer fasting periods can be challenging and may not be suitable for everyone.
How it works:
Zero-calorie intake
The body uses glycogen first, then fat, and eventually muscle for energy
Pros:
Rapid short-term weight loss
Cons / risks:
Muscle loss
Electrolyte imbalance (can be dangerous)
Dizziness, fainting, heart rhythm issues
Not recommended without medical supervision
IU Diet: A Popular Low-Calorie Crash Diet
The IU diet is often associated with IU (singer). It is a very low-calorie crash diet that has been discussed online as a method for rapid weight loss.
At one point, it became extremely popular, and many people on YouTube tried or talked about it. The diet typically involves extreme calorie restriction over a short period of time while also including intense exercise, which is why it gained attention for fast results.
From what is generally understood, this is not her usual daily eating pattern, but rather something linked to preparation for performances or public appearances.
Personally, it looked extremely difficult to follow and not sustainable for most people.
Typical pattern:
1 apple
1 sweet potato
Protein shake
Pros:
Rapid weight loss in a short time
Cons / risks:
Extremely low calories
Muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies
Not sustainable
Can trigger rebound weight gain
May negatively affect metabolism and hormones
At the end of the day, focus on what makes you feel good—but also what you can actually sustain in a healthy way. If you want to try a diet for a short-term goal, like an experiment or a quick weight cut for an event, that’s your choice. Just understand that very restrictive or extreme diets often don’t hold up long-term.
When you go back to eating normally, some weight gain is common because your body replenishes water and energy stores. And if you return to your old eating habits completely, it’s likely you’ll regain the weight you lost.
