Quick or Slow weight loss : which is better.?
Judith J Wurtman, PhD posted:
A physician friend from Barcelona came to visit a few days ago and mentioned that all his obese patients are on the Atkins diet. " They want quick results," he told us ." When I explain that the only reason their weight drops so fast is because they are losing water, they don't care."
" It is the same here in the states," I told him. "If a weight loss program advertised itself as promoting slow weight loss, it would be out of business in three hours."
During my twenty five years or experience in counseling weight loss clients, I have seen clients who have followed every type of quick weight loss programs and failed to keep the weight off. And sadly many of them weigh even more than before starting the diet. With the regained weight comes a sense of failure, anger at the wasted money, and often hopelessness at achieving and keeping a desirable weight. I have even had several clients whose weight loss efforts stalled after surgical intervention ( bariatric surgery) to decrease their stomach size and were now fearful of gaining back all their weight. On the other hand, those clients who were willing to lose weight slowly, perhaps no more than one pound a week or sometimes even less managed to keep their weight off for years. The slow pace of their weight loss gave them time to figure out how to adopt their new eating style to their lifestyle and sooner or later , how to insert an exercise program into their often crammed schedule. Because they were content to lose weight slowly, any set-back was shrugged off and they resumed their diet, perhaps a little wiser to why they had deviated from their food plan. One of my most successful clients weighed more than 500 pounds ( our scale did not register above that weight). She had gained an enormous amount of weight because of various medications and was barely able to walk. After two and a half years, she lost half her weight, was able to walk three miles every day and was eating a healthy diet. Just as important, she had the time to see herself as somone who was no longer morbidly obese. For years , she had assumed she would not be able to find a job or have any social contacts and it took time for her to feel confident doing both.
A quick weight loss, very low calorie diet may have achieved weight loss for this woman in a shorter time but I doubt that that emotional changes and willingness to exercise would have been achieved so easily.
On the other hand, there are situations in which fast weight loss may be desirable. Many studies on the effects of bariatric surgery have shown that people with type II diabetes improve almost immediately, even before much of a weight loss. Patients scheduled for non-emergency surgery are told to lose weight if possible before the operation to shorten recovery time and often are given only a few weeks to do so. Pain from orthopedic or muscle damage is lessened when weight is lost. The weight loss won't repair the problem but certainly makes physical movement less painful. Here too, the faster the weight loss, the greater the relief. Certainly people suffering from cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or heart disease are urged to achieve a normal weight quickly.
Perhaps the answer to the question: quick or slow weight loss is based on whether there is a medical urgency to the need to lose weight. And if the weight must be lost quickly, then the dieter should seek support from a nutritionist and if possible a personal trainer to make sure the weight will stay off once the medical problem is resolved.
" It is the same here in the states," I told him. "If a weight loss program advertised itself as promoting slow weight loss, it would be out of business in three hours."
During my twenty five years or experience in counseling weight loss clients, I have seen clients who have followed every type of quick weight loss programs and failed to keep the weight off. And sadly many of them weigh even more than before starting the diet. With the regained weight comes a sense of failure, anger at the wasted money, and often hopelessness at achieving and keeping a desirable weight. I have even had several clients whose weight loss efforts stalled after surgical intervention ( bariatric surgery) to decrease their stomach size and were now fearful of gaining back all their weight. On the other hand, those clients who were willing to lose weight slowly, perhaps no more than one pound a week or sometimes even less managed to keep their weight off for years. The slow pace of their weight loss gave them time to figure out how to adopt their new eating style to their lifestyle and sooner or later , how to insert an exercise program into their often crammed schedule. Because they were content to lose weight slowly, any set-back was shrugged off and they resumed their diet, perhaps a little wiser to why they had deviated from their food plan. One of my most successful clients weighed more than 500 pounds ( our scale did not register above that weight). She had gained an enormous amount of weight because of various medications and was barely able to walk. After two and a half years, she lost half her weight, was able to walk three miles every day and was eating a healthy diet. Just as important, she had the time to see herself as somone who was no longer morbidly obese. For years , she had assumed she would not be able to find a job or have any social contacts and it took time for her to feel confident doing both.
A quick weight loss, very low calorie diet may have achieved weight loss for this woman in a shorter time but I doubt that that emotional changes and willingness to exercise would have been achieved so easily.
On the other hand, there are situations in which fast weight loss may be desirable. Many studies on the effects of bariatric surgery have shown that people with type II diabetes improve almost immediately, even before much of a weight loss. Patients scheduled for non-emergency surgery are told to lose weight if possible before the operation to shorten recovery time and often are given only a few weeks to do so. Pain from orthopedic or muscle damage is lessened when weight is lost. The weight loss won't repair the problem but certainly makes physical movement less painful. Here too, the faster the weight loss, the greater the relief. Certainly people suffering from cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or heart disease are urged to achieve a normal weight quickly.
Perhaps the answer to the question: quick or slow weight loss is based on whether there is a medical urgency to the need to lose weight. And if the weight must be lost quickly, then the dieter should seek support from a nutritionist and if possible a personal trainer to make sure the weight will stay off once the medical problem is resolved.
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Quick or Slow weight loss : which is better.?A physician friend from Barcelona came to visit a few days ago and mentioned that all his obese patients are on the Atkins diet. " They want quick results," he told us ." When I explain that the only reason their weight drops so fast is because they are losing water, they don't care." <br />" It is the same here in the states," I told him. "If a weight loss program advertised itself as promoting slow weight loss, it would be out of business in three hours." <br /> During my twenty five years or experience in counseling weight loss clients, I have seen clients who have followed every type of quick weight loss programs and failed to keep the weight off. And sadly many of them weigh even more than before starting the diet. With the regained weight comes a sense of failure, anger at the wasted money, and often hopelessness at achieving and keeping a desirable weight. I have even had several clients whose weight loss efforts stalled after surgical intervention ( bariatric surgery) to decrease their stomach size and were now fearful of gaining back all their weight. On the other hand, those clients who were willing to lose weight slowly, perhaps no more than one pound a week or sometimes even less managed to keep their weight off for years. The slow pace of their weight loss gave them time to figure out how to adopt their new eating style to their lifestyle and sooner or later , how to insert an exercise program into their often crammed schedule. Because they were content to lose weight slowly, any set-back was shrugged off and they resumed their diet, perhaps a little wiser to why they had deviated from their food plan. One of my most successful clients weighed more than 500 pounds ( our scale did not register above that weight). She had gained an enormous amount of weight because of various medications and was barely able to walk. After two and a half years, she lost half her weight, was able to walk three miles every day and was eating a healthy diet. Just as important, she had the time to see herself as somone who was no longer morbidly obese. For years , she had assumed she would not be able to find a job or have any social contacts and it took time for her to feel confident doing both. <br />A quick weight loss, very low calorie diet may have achieved weight loss for this woman in a shorter time but I doubt that that emotional changes and willingness to exercise would have been achieved so easily. <br />On the other hand, there are situations in which fast weight loss may be desirable. Many studies on the effects of bariatric surgery have shown that people with type II diabetes improve almost immediately, even before much of a weight loss. Patients scheduled for non-emergency surgery are told to lose weight if possible before the operation to shorten recovery time and often are given only a few weeks to do so. Pain from orthopedic or muscle damage is lessened when weight is lost. The weight loss won't repair the problem but certainly makes physical movement less painful. Here too, the faster the weight loss, the greater the relief. Certainly people suffering from cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or heart disease are urged to achieve a normal weight quickly. <br /> Perhaps the answer to the question: quick or slow weight loss is based on whether there is a medical urgency to the need to lose weight. And if the weight must be lost quickly, then the dieter should seek support from a nutritionist and if possible a personal trainer to make sure the weight will stay off once the medical problem is resolved.
Jis4Judy responded:
well your post covers all the bases there is no perfevt fast or slow it all depends on circunstances for most of us doing this pretty much on our own slow is the best way But fast for those in major health distress if possable would be the right choice... the biggest problem is fast doesn;t teach you to control things relateing to your food choices ...over time replaceing bad food habits take a long time like rewireing your brain .. thats why so many people who get surgery regain they don;t get the rewireing that comes from relearning proper eating habits ...
Hugs Judy:)
Hugs Judy:)
Report This| Share this:Quick or Slow weight loss : which is better.?well your post covers all the bases there is no perfevt fast or slow it all depends on circunstances for most of us doing this pretty much on our own slow is the best way But fast for those in major health distress if possable would be the right choice... the biggest problem is fast doesn;t teach you to control things relateing to your food choices ...over time replaceing bad food habits take a long time like rewireing your brain .. thats why so many people who get surgery regain they don;t get the rewireing that comes from relearning proper eating habits ...<br />Hugs Judy:)
KennyCrox responded:
Judith,
So, Akin's doesn't work for weight loss? All of the weight loss is water weight, nothing else?
If so, why do many individuals find success with Atkins or other low carb diets? Diets such as:
1) South Beach
Author Agatson, MD
2) Protein Power
Michael Eades, MD and Mary Dan Eades, MD
3) The Zone Diet (Still somewhat in the catagory)
Dr Barry Sears
4) Metabolic Diet
Dr Maurio DiPasquale
5) Stillman Diet
Maxwell Stillman, MD
Rather than go through a laundry list of, let stop there.
Certainly, initial weight loss with a high protein/low carb diet is due to water loss. That due to protein's diuretic effect.
However, that does not mean that all of the weight loss is water weight.
There is no doubt that the American public want an over night fix to their weight problem, any problem they might have.
I suspect your clients who were successful with slow weight loss primarily accomplished that because:
1) They had a "weight loss coach", like you. I have found that most individual have a greater degree of success with they have "weight loss sherpa" to guide them in the right direction.
2) They need someone to be accoutable to and encourge them, again the "weight loss coach".
Another alternative is the "Buddy System", where you have a friend or a group that will help you along.
3) It is the person, not necessarily the weight loss program.
Going on a slow weight loss program does not mean an individual will be successful. So, it not the program.
The reason for success lies in the character of the individual. but character. Successful individuals are willing to do what it take to get the job done. They may fall down but they get up.
A great case in point is a freind of mine being a drug addict at one time. I ask him how he quit.
He replied, "I quite many time before I finally was successful". He told me those who succeed in getting off drugs rarely make it the first or second try.
Their success, like just about everything in life, is based on persistance. Weight loss programs are no different. Successful individuals are presistant regardless of the weight loss program.
There are pleanty of individuals who have failed with slow weigth loss program and probably every other program.
However, rather than own take responsibility for their failure to lose the weight, they blame the diet. "It NOT me"...
However, some individuals have some metabolic problems. No matter how great their diet and exercise program is, they will not be able to succeed.
Those individuals need medical assistance.
Kenny Croxdale
So, Akin's doesn't work for weight loss? All of the weight loss is water weight, nothing else?
If so, why do many individuals find success with Atkins or other low carb diets? Diets such as:
1) South Beach
Author Agatson, MD
2) Protein Power
Michael Eades, MD and Mary Dan Eades, MD
3) The Zone Diet (Still somewhat in the catagory)
Dr Barry Sears
4) Metabolic Diet
Dr Maurio DiPasquale
5) Stillman Diet
Maxwell Stillman, MD
Rather than go through a laundry list of, let stop there.
Certainly, initial weight loss with a high protein/low carb diet is due to water loss. That due to protein's diuretic effect.
However, that does not mean that all of the weight loss is water weight.
There is no doubt that the American public want an over night fix to their weight problem, any problem they might have.
I suspect your clients who were successful with slow weight loss primarily accomplished that because:
1) They had a "weight loss coach", like you. I have found that most individual have a greater degree of success with they have "weight loss sherpa" to guide them in the right direction.
2) They need someone to be accoutable to and encourge them, again the "weight loss coach".
Another alternative is the "Buddy System", where you have a friend or a group that will help you along.
3) It is the person, not necessarily the weight loss program.
Going on a slow weight loss program does not mean an individual will be successful. So, it not the program.
The reason for success lies in the character of the individual. but character. Successful individuals are willing to do what it take to get the job done. They may fall down but they get up.
A great case in point is a freind of mine being a drug addict at one time. I ask him how he quit.
He replied, "I quite many time before I finally was successful". He told me those who succeed in getting off drugs rarely make it the first or second try.
Their success, like just about everything in life, is based on persistance. Weight loss programs are no different. Successful individuals are presistant regardless of the weight loss program.
There are pleanty of individuals who have failed with slow weigth loss program and probably every other program.
However, rather than own take responsibility for their failure to lose the weight, they blame the diet. "It NOT me"...
However, some individuals have some metabolic problems. No matter how great their diet and exercise program is, they will not be able to succeed.
Those individuals need medical assistance.
Kenny Croxdale
Report This| Share this:Quick or Slow weight loss : which is better.?Judith,<br /> <br />So, Akin's doesn't work for weight loss? All of the weight loss is water weight, nothing else? <br /> <br />If so, why do many individuals find success with Atkins or other low carb diets? Diets such as: <br /> <br />1) South Beach<br /> Author Agatson, MD<br /> <br />2) Protein Power<br /> Michael Eades, MD and Mary Dan Eades, MD<br /> <br />3) The Zone Diet (Still somewhat in the catagory)<br /> Dr Barry Sears<br /> <br />4) Metabolic Diet <br /> Dr Maurio DiPasquale<br /> <br />5) Stillman Diet<br /> Maxwell Stillman, MD<br /> <br />Rather than go through a laundry list of, let stop there. <br /> <br />Certainly, initial weight loss with a high protein/low carb diet is due to water loss. That due to protein's diuretic effect. <br /> <br />However, that does not mean that all of the weight loss is water weight. <br /> <br />There is no doubt that the American public want an over night fix to their weight problem, any problem they might have. <br /> <br />I suspect your clients who were successful with slow weight loss primarily accomplished that because: <br /> <br />1) They had a "weight loss coach", like you. I have found that most individual have a greater degree of success with they have "weight loss sherpa" to guide them in the right direction. <br /> <br />2) They need someone to be accoutable to and encourge them, again the "weight loss coach". <br /> <br />Another alternative is the "Buddy System", where you have a friend or a group that will help you along. <br /> <br />3) It is the person, not necessarily the weight loss program. <br /> <br />Going on a slow weight loss program does not mean an individual will be successful. So, it not the program. <br /> <br />The reason for success lies in the character of the individual. but character. Successful individuals are willing to do what it take to get the job done. They may fall down but they get up. <br /> <br />A great case in point is a freind of mine being a drug addict at one time. I ask him how he quit. <br /> <br />He replied, "I quite many time before I finally was successful". He told me those who succeed in getting off drugs rarely make it the first or second try. <br /> <br />Their success, like just about everything in life, is based on persistance. Weight loss programs are no different. Successful individuals are presistant regardless of the weight loss program. <br /> <br />There are pleanty of individuals who have failed with slow weigth loss program and probably every other program. <br /> <br />However, rather than own take responsibility for their failure to lose the weight, they blame the diet. "It NOT me"...<br /> <br />However, some individuals have some metabolic problems. No matter how great their diet and exercise program is, they will not be able to succeed. <br /> <br />Those individuals need medical assistance. <br /> <br />Kenny Croxdale
Dear Jis4Judy, You are right but I felt that it was important to point out situations in which the immediate health crisis made quick weight loss imperative. I was thinking of the husband of an acquaintance who needed an operation and was told to lose 15 pounds as soon as he could to diminish risk from anesthesia. But you are so right; only slow weight loss is going to give people time to change.
Report This| Share this:Quick or Slow weight loss : which is better.?Dear Jis4Judy, You are right but I felt that it was important to point out situations in which the immediate health crisis made quick weight loss imperative. I was thinking of the husband of an acquaintance who needed an operation and was told to lose 15 pounds as soon as he could to diminish risk from anesthesia. But you are so right; only slow weight loss is going to give people time to change.
Dear Kenny, Of course some people have lost weight on high protein diets but now that it is several years since the high protein fad began, I wonder how many managed to keep their weight off ? What I am worried about with the high protein diets is the decline in brain serotonin and this is a worse problem for women than men since women have only 3/4 as much as men. So any decrease may lead to mood changes and a lack of satiety. And you are right about failures on every type of diet; there have been studies which have done everything to support the dieter for months and weight comes right back after the diet is over. I often think that dieters need a therapist, personal trainer and a dating service in some cases ( or divorce lawyer) to make the diet successful. Oh and often a better job!
Report This| Share this:Quick or Slow weight loss : which is better.?Dear Kenny, Of course some people have lost weight on high protein diets but now that it is several years since the high protein fad began, I wonder how many managed to keep their weight off ? What I am worried about with the high protein diets is the decline in brain serotonin and this is a worse problem for women than men since women have only 3/4 as much as men. So any decrease may lead to mood changes and a lack of satiety. And you are right about failures on every type of diet; there have been studies which have done everything to support the dieter for months and weight comes right back after the diet is over. I often think that dieters need a therapist, personal trainer and a dating service in some cases ( or divorce lawyer) to make the diet successful. Oh and often a better job!
Featuring Experts
Known as the "doc who walks the talk", Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP, is an internationally renowned expert and speaker in women's health,...More
Helpful Tips
How to Decrease Your Appetite
Let's say you've already had a healthy balanced meal so that you're not hungry (hunger is a physical phenomenon and tells the body "I ... More
Was this Helpful?
218
of
282 found this helpful
-
Ways to Stop Late Night Binging
-
Table Salt vs Sea Salt
-
Afternoon Sleepiness? Eat Protein, not Sugar, to Stay Awake & Shed LBS!
Helpful Resources
Expert Blog
Everyday Fitness - Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP
Achieve a better mind-body balance and live a healthier life with tips from wellness expert Dr. Pamela Peeke...Read More
Recent Posts
- Medicate with Movement: An Rx for America 05/09/2012
- The Triumphant Voice of a Bullied Boy 04/09/2012
- The Government’s Role in Managing Obesity 03/19/2012
- Hits and Myths about Spot Reducing 03/06/2012
- Get a Superior Posterior 02/15/2012
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Diet Information
- Healthy Eating & Diet Center
- Blog : Healthy Recipe Doctor with Elaine Magee, RD
- Dieting Club: 10 – 25 Lbs Member Community Get Support From Members Like You!
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Advertise With Us|WebMD Corporate|Medscape Reference|eMedicineHealth|RxList|Medscape|MedicineNet|BootsWebMD
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.