Whether you’re hoping to look your best for a friend’s wedding, eager to get back into your pre-pregnancy wardrobe, or simply impatient with traditional diet plans, you may find yourself searching for the fastest way to lose weight. Although it’s natural to want to drop unwanted pounds quickly, it’s important to keep in mind that any rapid weight loss method carries significant risks. It is not recommended that you jump into an extreme weight loss plan without first considering all of the alternatives.
Technically speaking, the fastest way to lose weight is to have obesity surgery. Procedures such as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding or Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y will result in rapid weight loss for the first six months to one year after the surgery. However, to qualify for this type of surgery, you must generally have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, suffer from obesity related medical problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and have a history of failed weight loss attempts. You must also agree to follow the doctor’s plan for diet and exercise after your surgery.
Another method for rapid weight loss is to take medications to assist with your weight loss efforts. However, these types of medications are only recommended for people with a BMI of 30 or above or those with a BMI of 27 or above who also suffer from obesity related medical problems. In the United States, Meridia and Xenical are the most popular weight loss drugs. Meridia is an appetite suppressant, while Xenical is a fat-absorption inhibitor. Alli, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss medication, is the non-prescription version of Xenical.
Crash diets are the final trick people use when they are searching for the fastest way to lose weight. The Lemonade Diet, also known as the Master Cleanse, is one example of this type of diet plan. While it’s true celebrities like Beyonce Knowles have used the Lemonade Diet to slim down for movie roles, the plan is not nutritionally balanced and far too restrictive to be a long term solution for weight management.
If you are interested in the fastest way to lose weight, it’s important to be realistic. If you went up two jeans sizes as the result of two or three years of eating poorly and not exercising, you can’t expect to drop this weight in just a few months. Discuss your weight loss goals with your healthcare provider. He can help you develop a diet and exercise plan that will help you lose weight without sacrificing your long term health and well being.