Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. The latest statistics show that nearly 2/3 of Americans are significantly overweight and almost half are actually obese. As more and more attention is focused on this problem and other health related issues it causes, more and more people are looking for different methods to achieve rapid weight loss. Fast weight loss is not always the healthy choice. There are some medically approved methods that should be used if rapid weight loss is the goal.

Visiting one’s family doctor is the logical first step toward beginning a safe program of rapid weight loss. He can make suggestions and give information about different procedures and products that are available to help those who are significantly overweight to achieve rapid weight loss with complicating other health issues. He will also recommend specific diet changes and a personalized exercise regimen to begin during this visit.

Certain medical procedures may be brought up for consideration if a person is morbidly obese. Gastric Bypass surgery (stomach stapling), installing a Lap Band, liposuction, and other surgical procedures can be topics for consideration when seeking a rapid weight loss plan. Each of these procedures carries its own risks as well as benefits, so discussing the options with the doctor to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks before having one of these procedures performed.

Appetite suppressant medications may be purchased at most pharmacies and the drug section of grocery stores. Care should be exercised in choosing and using these medications as the risks of side effects are significant. As a general rule, appetite suppressants are not suggested as a means to achieve fast weight loss.

Many people share the misconception that dieting to achieve fast weight loss involves starving themselves. The truth is quite the opposite. Starving oneself to lose weight often backfires, causing more harm than good. If the body senses that it is being deprived of food, it starts to produce certain hormones that break down the bodies own tissues for protein and energy while it stores the calories consumed as fat against future need.

Dieting properly to achieve rapid weight loss includes making basic changes in one’s eating habits that do not involve depriving the body of nutrients. 4 or 5 smaller meals per day as opposed to 3 large meals is one important step. Controlling the size of portions is critical when dieting to achieve rapid weight loss. It is important to eat enough to sustain the body without over filling. Eliminating many of the high fat snacks that we eat and replacing them with fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing the amount of red meat consumed, and reducing breads and starches will limit the number of calories consumed without leaving one feeling hungry.

Exercise is, of course, the key to rapid weight loss. The doctor will generally suggest an exercise routine that will not overstress parts of the body that are not able to take any extra stress, yet will burn more calories than are consumed. As the weight Is lost, the exercises will become more strenuous to continue the rapid weight loss.

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