Frequently Asked Questions

Healthy weight loss varies by individual, but a safe and sustainable rate is 1-2 pounds per week. Factors like starting weight, diet, exercise habits, and genetics all play a role in determining your weight loss rate.

It's important to focus on consistent, gradual progress rather than rapid weight loss, which is often difficult to maintain and may involve the loss of muscle mass rather than fat.

Weight loss plateaus are normal and happen for several reasons:

• Your metabolism adjusts to your lower weight and reduced calorie intake
• You may have lost muscle mass, which lowers your basal metabolic rate
• Your body becomes more efficient at the exercises you're doing
• You might be experiencing "calorie creep" - gradually consuming more calories without realizing it

To overcome a plateau, try mixing up your exercise routine, recalculating your calorie needs at your new weight, incorporating strength training, and ensuring you're accurately tracking food intake.

Rapid weight loss (more than 2 pounds per week) is generally not recommended for most people. Potential risks include:

• Loss of muscle mass rather than fat
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Gallstones
• Metabolic slowdown making it harder to maintain weight loss
• Hair loss, fatigue, and mood changes

In certain medical situations, rapid weight loss may be prescribed under close medical supervision, but for most people, a gradual approach is safer and more sustainable.

Weight loss medications are typically considered for people with:

• BMI ≥30 (obesity), or
• BMI ≥27 with weight-related health conditions like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes

FDA-approved prescription medications should only be used under medical supervision. Over-the-counter supplements often lack solid research backing their claims and may contain ingredients that are ineffective or potentially harmful.

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any weight loss medication or supplement. They should be used as part of a comprehensive program that includes diet and exercise changes, not as a standalone solution.