Extreme Weight Loss

While most people struggle to lose the last 10 pounds, there are many folks fighter a bigger battle against the bulge. With nearly 119 million Americans overweight or obese (that's 65% of the entire country!), there are many cases of men and women that need to lose 100 pounds or more.

But can this even be done?

The answer, according to scientists from the University of Kentucky, is yes. One hundred and eighteen people were able to lose over 100 pounds during a 9- year period at the University's clinic.

Not surprisingly, the program used was intensive and comprehensive, using such methods as meal replacements (shakes and entres), low-energy diets, weekly classes, and training in record keeping and physical activity. Consistent assessments involving weekly weight measurements also helped to keep the patients on track.

A good place to start is using home based strength training workouts and short cardio sessions.

Everyday, take three 10-minute walks (morning, lunch, and evening) to start. By breaking things up, you'll avoid overuse injuries.

But most importantly, you are going to see amazing results by changing your nutrition. Stop eating junk food and start making one positive nutrition change each day...add an apple today, an ounce of almonds tomorrow, and green tea the day after that...

Back to the study...There were also huge benefits to the weight loss. The researchers reported medications were discontinued in 66% of patients with a cost savings of $100 per month, and subjects were able to significantly decrease LDL cholesterol (-20%), triacylglycerol (-36%), blood sugar (-17%), and blood pressure (systolic -13% and and diastolic -15%).

Not everything went perfectly according to plan, as the clients gained back a few pounds after 5 years of achieving peak weight loss, however the bottom line is that an intense, multi-discipline weight loss program can work with severely obese men and women. The cost savings and health benefits are worth all of the effort to achieve this weight loss.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 2, 301-307, August 2007
2007 American Society for Nutrition

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked weight loss workouts have helped thousands of men and women with rapid fat loss and fat burning in less than 45 minutes three times per week. Craig's fat loss help board shows you how to burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment. Craig even has bodyweight workouts for weight loss to help you lose fat without any equipment at all.

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