What is the recommended rate for weight loss?

Answer 1

Most medically based sources (not diet companies) indicate an acceptable rate of below a kg/wk. The highest rate found was 1% of initial body weight/week.

The big secret is to not kill yourself on the route to health - your body is set up to handle the you that you are now - a lighter you will have less needs and demands and will have to shed a lot of nasties contained in the fat en route to a lower weight.

A lesser secret is to make changes that you can live with over time, learning the correct way of eating comes with time until you do it as a natural thing. Most sources indicate that the "throw yourself over a cliff" type of dieting gets your weight down quick, but you bounce back up just as quick - sometimes with the collateral damage of gall stones etc

If you are significantly overweight you should initiate your weight loss program with the advise of a medical professional (not a professional diet program staff member). Overwieght problems may be the result of underlying mediacl problems. Treating the symptom (over weight) without addressing the underlying problem may be dangerous or pointless.

Answer 2

2 - 3 pounds per week is safe. I have read some people who claim to lose 10 - 20 pounds per week but that is not healthy at all.

Answer 3

Steady weight loss is the longest lasting. A loss of one or two pounds per week is very good.