Extreme Rapid Weight loss - success or asking for trouble?

onikonor

My aunt and uncle have decided to change their lives and went with a low carb, low fat, low calorie diets (~700-900 cal a day). They were both considered morbidly obese before going on the diet.

They both started this in March and in 3 months he lost 80 lb and in 4 months she lost probably around 100 lb (she still has more to lose to hit her goal of ~170 lb). I'm really concerned for them. My uncle is now at his goal weight of about 220 lb he's about 5'10? She is about 5'8.

They look great now and probably feel great but what impact does this type of weight loss have on the body?

cari4jc1

Eating 700-900 calories is starving yourself and it's stupid. Sounds like they were pretty overweight so their bodies just used all that extra fat to keep their bodies going. Eventually they won't be able to live off of 700-900 calories. You just can't do it. Eating that way isn't sustainable. Eventually they'll probably end up putting the weight back on because they didn't lose it in a healthy sustainable way.

onikonor

I don't think they are going to be eating 700-900 permanently and will eventually go back to eating normal amounts. I was just wondering if anyone had rapid loss and ended up gaining after or had any health problems with losing so much so fast.

rose313

I hope they can keep it off. One of the reasons very low calorie diets aren't recommended is because the weight comes right back on once the person resumes "normal" eating. Is this doctor supervised? I have a friend who is doing that doctor supervised and she has lost a lot, but her hair is thinning.

onikonor

I hope they can keep it off. One of the reasons very low calorie diets aren't recommended is because the weight comes right back on once the person resumes "normal" eating. Is this doctor supervised? I have a friend who is doing that doctor supervised and she has lost a lot, but her hair is thinning.

It's not doctor supervised but a doctor developed the program. They expect you to discuss any problems with your physician.

Crochetluvr

Its what they do AFTER they hit their goal which will determine their long term success. They have to eat close to the same way for the rest of their lives or they will end up fat again. Question is, can they do that?

ETA - As for whether or not they have done any irreparable harm to their bodies, its a little late. All you can do is hope not.

rdfhunter

If they step up the exercise now that they are smaller keeping the weight off with a normal diet is possible.
As far as damage , the years of being overweight were way worse

onikonor

If they step up the exercise now that they are smaller keeping the weight off with a normal diet is possible.
As far as damage , the years of being overweight were way worse

That is true. I just hope they can maintain what they learned by eating more vegetables and less junk. Apparently this program has a fairly high long term success rate.

Scrimples

It really depends on the person and their situation. There is a point where the risk vs benefit shifts. For the average person slow weight loss that includes long term lifestyle changes and a new view on health is the ideal. For others who are ill or extremely overweight and it is putting a huge strain on their bodies doctors want it off as fast as can be managed. For these people the risk of fast weight loss is less than the risk of staying extremely overweight or gaining more weight, usually due to a multitude of health concerns that are aggravated by the additional weight.

zellagrrl

I did a doctor supervised VLCD and have been fine-- I've maintained for a couple of months within 3 lbs of where I ended (for now) and have lost inches, but not weight (fine with that, more or less) since then. That said, I haven't gone back to eating like how I was previously. Big health issues prompted the massive diet change, which has definitely helped keep the weight off. Chances are, they're probably fine but dealing with loose skin (ugh) and will have some trial and error figuring out what works for them.

suziecue66

My aunt and uncle have decided to change their lives and went with a low carb, low fat, low calorie diets (~700-900 cal a day). They were both considered morbidly obese before going on the diet.

They both started this in March and in 3 months he lost 80 lb and in 4 months she lost probably around 100 lb (she still has more to lose to hit her goal of ~170 lb). I'm really concerned for them. My uncle is now at his goal weight of about 220 lb he's about 5'10? She is about 5'8.

They look great now and probably feel great but what impact does this type of weight loss have on the body?

Well done to the both of them. Fast weight loss, I think particularly low fat does result in some folks getting gallstones. Also, on that amount probably low on nutrients so they should get a good multi vitamin, mineral, some fish oil, make sure getting sufficient protein. Were they on some meal replacement shake? Usually it is formulated to get all required nutrients but probably minimal. There is a lot of benefits from all this weight loss.