Slow Steady Weight Loss is The Answer

I get questions all the time at DrGourmet.com and here at LiveStrong.com that are very similar to this one:

"I am hoping you can help me. I need someone who knows about calories and weight loss to guide me. I started LiveStrong August 7, 2008 weighing in at 240. I am now at around 212, but the past 3 months it has been so slow and now I feel like I am at a standstill.

To give you my progress since starting:
August--lost 9 pounds
September--lost 4 pounds
October--lost 7 pounds
November--lost 2 pounds
December--lost 2 pounds
January AND February--lost 3 pounds

I'm getting very discouraged and everyone in the groups are great but everyone has "their" opinion if you know what I mean?"

A lot of you might feel like you are having the same issue. The good news is that this is really great progress. Losing 28 pounds in a 6-month period is perfect. The writer comments that she thought people lose weight faster at first, and then progress slows down. We have research that supports this, so it's really important to not become discouraged.

The research shows that slow, steady and careful weight loss is what works. As a physician, I set goals for my patients between 2 and 4 pounds per month. Folks losing much more than a pound a week have a more difficult time keeping the weight off.

This person's approach is sound. She goes on to talk about counting calories and keeping track of them, and LiveStrong.com is the perfect place for this. This combined with exercise has led to smart and successful weight loss. Losing weight is about being careful with calories eaten and exercising sensibly. Eating healthy, being healthy, exercising and losing weight are best thought with a lifelong perspective.

So, to all of you who are feeling discouraged with slow, steady progress, feel great. You're doing wonderfully.

Timothy S. Harlan, M.D. AKA Dr. Gourmet
LiveStrong Advisory Board Member
www.drgourmet.com