Tortoise and the Hare

You know the old story of the tortoise and the hare. The hare starts out fast, gets over confident and loses the race to the slow but steady tortoise. For many this seems to be the case in weight loss. It has always been alleged that fast weight loss is unhealthy. Although I have lost the reference, there as a recent study showing that actually rapid weight loss may be more beneficial in achieving both greater and more lasting results. This is only one study and hardly enough to draw conclusions. Nevertheless, rapid weight loss is not unhealthy per se. Unmonitored rapid weight loss and unhealthy eating is risky for sure. There have been many documented deaths from starvation diets, unwise use of over the counter appetite suppressants and the like. It should be noted there are far more deaths attributable to obesity and inactivity, but we all know that.

As a bariatric physician, it is my experience that rapid weight loss under supervision is quite beneficial. We observe our clients who get off to a good start are more likely to keep up their losses and less likely to drop out. getting up a full head of steam right out of the gate does help in my opinion.

Overall, my bet is on the hare, as long as we can keep him directed and not overconfident!