Fast vs Slow?

[LaceyJ]

OK, I'm going to start this here and I look forward to a very fiery conversation since people have such passionate beliefs about the rate at which people should lose weight.

I myself believe, if you are otherwise healthy, there is no reason not to try to lose weight quickly. I will even site a recent study here:

analyzed weight loss information for 262 obese women and they found that, women who had initially dropped weight most quickly tended to shed more weight overall and maintain the weight loss longer than those who had a more gradual start. They also noted that women who had dropped weight more quickly were no more likely to regain that weight than those whose pace had been more moderate.

The authors summed it up with "... Losing weight at a fast initial rate leads to great short-term weight reduction, does not result in increased susceptibility to weight regain, and is associated with larger weight losses and overall long-term success in weight management."​

Now, I will admit that it is easier and more likely that an obese person will/can lose weight quickly. Not so easy/possible for a person who only has 10 or so lbs to lose.

What do you think?

 

[ijustwannabefit]

They have 'fast' as 0.68kg or more per week. By my calculations (and I could have done the math wrong) that is only 1.5 (ish) pounds or more per week. They have 'slow' as 1/2lbs per week or less.

Up to 2 lbs per week is safe, so I think becuase everyone is different, they need to choose what works best for them and thier lifestyle choices. I personally (when I don't have any contrindications) prefer to aim for the 2 lbs/week goal.

 

[patrickkallie]

This is something that's very interesting! For me personally I have been way more successful when I am losing the weight slowly over time. I guess it just depends on the individual and what works best for them.

What do you others think?

 

[mckeown]

i like to see a fast loss personally. it motivates me and my diet was so crap when i took an abject view of it there was a lot of room for improvement. I also enjoy cycling to work and im back tarining which also helps. I am in the middle of my pre season for rugby so need to lose weight gained over the offf season come match time. this is my opinion and im sure others will not agree. but i like to see my hard work paying offf quickly and this spurs me on to say no to all the poo i used to eat before.

 

[pedrinho]

I think that slowly is more natural and healthy..We didnt get all that weight overnight, so is not natural to lose it over night too..And it is very big stress for body..So definitely slow..

 

[curtwinters]

I have found that losing the first 10 or so pounds quickly works but whatever weight you are looking to lose after should take a longer time. I think the reason people who take it slower have better long term results is the fact that they have formed a routine. Once you are used to living a certain way it is easier to avoid the pit falls of food and dieting that got you in trouble before. Also when you lose weight quickly it is less of an achievement, it becomes something that can be easily duplicated in your mind, so you give yourself the excuse to "cheat" on your diet.