How much weight IS safe to lose in a 3 month period?

[Danvers]

With shows like The Biggest Loser and Celebrity Fit Club, they're telling contestants they want them to lose as little as 50 pounds up to 100 or more in 3 months. Is it really THAT safe? How in the world do they do that?? Every diet book I've ever seen has always said it's unhealthy to lose so much in a short amount of time. Doesn't it put you at a greater risk for health problems?

 

[ophie]

The guidelines are that you should only lose 1-2 lbs per week. Of course, when people start diets they tend to lose quickly and then level off to a slower rate.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Honestly, I have 2 doctors I see on a regular basis. (one for my liver, the other for my arthritis) Both have been helping me deal with an incredible weight gain due to prednisone.

I fell off the exam table (figuratively) when one of them said 2 pounds a month is a terrific weight loss. Then the other agreed when I mentioned it to him.

So, when I see shows like the Biggest Loser and celebrity fit club, it saddens me. These shows are not helping the public and their weight problems. They are adding to it. I cannot beleive how incredibly UNHEALTHY it was for the winner of the 1st Biggest Loser to have lost 90+ pounds in that short amount of time. INCREDIBLE

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, there is a strong correlation between rate of weight-loss and success rates at losing weight. By the same token, there is a strong negative correlation between the rate of weight-loss and success rates at keeping weight off once it is lost. So we find outselves between a rock and a hard place. That's why it is so important to have a strong program and strong support behind us in our efforts.

The question was how much weight is safe to lose in a three month period. Safety is more a matter of macro-nutrient intake than amount of weight lost. It is possible to gain weight and it be unhealthy. Meanwhile, with medical supervision, I was able to lose about 40 pounds in three month, safely and effectively, resulting in a significant reduction of risk to my health due to reduction in my level of obesity.

There are a lot of things that keep us from improving the state of this crisis... these programs on television are the least of our worries. The National Weight Control Registry is discovering real answers to these questions: What really helps folks lose weight safely and effectively and keep it off long-term? It's not clear to me, though, that the answers we're learning are sexy enough to capture the attention of the American public.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I was able to lose about 40 pounds in three month,

Just curious what you did to lose this weight.

 

[bicker]

I was on a medically-supervised program. Very-low calorie intake and a significant amount of physical activity. It was a very structured program. (Many details can be found on my personal web site.)

 

[Disney Doll]

1-2 pounds per week is a healthy rate at which to lose weight, so that would be 12-24 pounds in 3 months.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I never seem to follow the norm for anything.

I lost 40 pounds in two months back in 2003 by drastically cutting carbs, increased protein a bit, and faithfully exercised. Played with the same 6 pounds ever since...up, down, up, down. But recently I started a new hobby that gets me out walking. I've finally dropped another 4. But this is the longest I've ever kept it off! I've been the Weight Watchers route, the Diet Center route, and it came back with them. This seems to work for me. Had blood work last month, and there's an incredible improvement with everything!

 

[Margie J]

I thought if you were severely obese you tended to lose more weight initially. So for those contestants to lose 40-60-90 pounds in 3 months probably isn't unreasonable if they are say 70-100-150 pounds overweight to start.

Also, the "Biggest Loser" contestant calculations are not just weight based. However. I'd bet few contestants can maintain the big loss without the structured program of diet and exercise that the program offers.

For the average person a 1-2 pound/week loss is recommended.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

They are under medical supervision--and though they are on two different types of diets--what they can do on those diets and their excercise...is all under medical supervision/guidance.

 

[CharityLynn]

I have lost 19lbs in the last 4 weeks...eating better and exercising (I never exercised before) I at 200lbs even I can't wait to see the 100's again...

 

[LoraJ]

A guy here at work lost too much weight on a fad diet in a short amount of time. He ended up ruining his kidneys. I don't know all the details except that whenever I walk by him in the halls he always seems to be in so much pain. yipes.

 

[FreshTressa]

I lost 40lbs over about 2 and a half to 3 months and lost over half of my hair

It wasn't for about 6 months until it started to grow back, and now a year later, it is fine, but I think that was too fast of a loss for me.

Luckily, I seem to be keeping it off.

 

[bicker]

Medical supervision is essential for safe, rapid weight-loss.

 

[daisy_77]

I have lost 30 pounds in less than 2 months. I am on Weight Watchers and i work out at least an hour 6 days a week. It is hard. I think that it is safe as long as you are not on a starvation diet or any other harmful way to lose weight.