Need advice on adverse effects of extreme weight loss plans

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Tw for anorexia, I won’t be filtering anything

I won’t say Im in immediate harm, but I hope to get atleast someone to give me any last valuable information to take note of if I go through with it.

For context, I am a BMI 16 female. I recently have been trying my damn hardest shave off the last few kilo grams for my goal weight of 37kg. It’s smooth sailing till I’ve been stuck for weeks at 39kg, and it’s honestly driving me insane. Additionally, I’ve been taking laxatives more and more, going from 1 pill every 1-2 days to 1-3 pills everyday. (Ducolax brand)

Being unable to lose weight makes me feel horrid, and its making my relationships strained. I want to return to my regular routine asap when I achieve my goal, for my own mental health. I’ve considered many ways to lose weight, and I want to know what could possibly happen to me if I did this, and hopefully discourage myself from doing it.

I track my calories and nutrients, and 600-800 cals isn’t making me lose anymore. Hence I’ve considered lowering to 400-600 with my same ratio of nutrients, or perhaps increase protein to reduce muscle loss.

I’m also considering a liquid diet. The numbers on the scale matter alot to me, and hopefully with how quick liquid can be flushed out, it can soothe my brain into calming down.

If that doesn’t work either, I considered water fasting for days-weeks. I know I’ll lose both fat and muscle, but I dont mind either.

I feel like I’m so close to my goal and it’s obviously making me very desperate. Someway or another, I want to achieve it. I hope someone could also possibly advise me if anything could go wrong in any of these plans.

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Dear @user9470,

It takes real courage to reach out and share what you’re going through, and I want you to know that I hear you. I can sense how much you’re struggling right now.

I am hearing that you are feeling stuck at your current weight, and facing mounting frustration, strained relationships, and an overwhelming desperation to reach your goal. These feelings are real and valid, and it’s clear you’re in a difficult place.

I need to be honest with you. The paths you’re considering (increasing laxative use, severe calorie restriction to 400-600 calories, liquid-only diets, and water fasting for days or weeks) are dangerous and can lead to serious medical complications. At a BMI of 16, your body is already undernourished, and these approaches may put you at a significant medical risk.

Unfortunately, this platform cannot provide medical guidance on your diet. Hence, I gently but strongly encourage you to speak with a medical doctor as soon as possible, not to judge you, but to help keep you safe and address what’s really going on beneath these goals.

Please know that you fully deserve getting the medical support you need to address the health issues you are facing. Sending you warmth and care. :yellow_heart:

Resources:

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Dear @user9470

Thank you for reaching out. You have been upfront and clear on what your weight loss objectives are. I’m concerned for you, though. I urge you to speak to a medical professional who can guide you on a safe plan to achieve your ideal healthy weight.

@Obi_Wan_Kenobi has shared some useful resources with you.

I sincerely think consulting a medical professional would be the best option for you to discuss and work out a suitable plan for you to be healthy and well nourished. Please do reach out for professional help soonest dear, you don’t have to go through this difficult journey alone. You need to get care from professionals who understand what you are going through, have experience working with those among us facing similar daily struggles and hold you hand through this.

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I’m really glad you reached out. I want to be clear and gentle with you at the same time: I can’t help with advice on how to lose more weight, restrict further, use laxatives, liquid diets, or fasting. I know that’s not what you were hoping to hear but I care about your safety, and what you’re describing is already putting your body and mind in serious danger.

What I can do is sit with you in this moment and tell you the truth you deserve to hear.

At a BMI of 16, your body is already in survival mode. Being “stuck” at 39kg isn’t failure, it’s your body fighting to keep you alive. When weight stops dropping despite extreme restriction, it’s often because your metabolism has slowed dramatically, hormones are disrupted, and your system is conserving energy at all costs. Pushing harder doesn’t usually bring relief but it often brings sudden medical crises.

I am not a medical professional but I did some online research, here are some things that may go wrong (even if you feel “fine” right now), without going into methods:

  • Heart rhythm problems (this can happen suddenly and be fatal, especially with laxative use)

  • Electrolyte imbalances that cause fainting, seizures, or cardiac arrest

  • Permanent gut damage from laxatives (dependency, inability to poop normally)

  • Brain fog, emotional instability, and worsening obsession rather than mental calm

  • Hair loss, bone loss, fertility issues, some of which don’t fully reverse

  • And very importantly: reaching a “goal weight” almost never quiets the thoughts for long, the goalpost usually moves again…

I hear how desperate you feel. You said something important: you’re hoping this information will discourage you. That tells me a part of you still wants help and still wants to live. That part matters.

If you’re in Singapore, please consider reaching out if you have the ability to, even if you don’t feel “bad enough”:

  • SOS Singapore: 1767 (24-hour) or CareText via WhatsApp

  • IMH Eating Disorders Programme (you can self-refer)

  • A GP or polyclinic doctor can help urgently and confidentially, this is medical, not a failure

If calling feels like too much, could you tell one safe person (friend, family member, counselor) exactly what you wrote here? You don’t have to convince them, just let them know you’re struggling.

I know you feel like you’re “so close.” From the outside, it looks like you’re actually very close to something dangerous. You deserve help before things get worse, not after.

I’m here with you. You’re not weak for feeling this way, and you don’t have to handle this alone.