The easy way to lose weight fast….

Patients often come in and ask “How can I lose weight fast?”. Everyone seems to want to find that magic pill that will make the pounds melt away. The internet and media abound with miracle weight loss solutions. In fact everyone and their brother seems to have written a book, discovered a diet or found the miracle solution.  Why then, is obesity still a major health problem in the country? Why does most of the population seem to be struggling with their effort to lose weight fast? The answer is simple it turns out:

There is no miracle. There is no magic pill. There is not even an amazing diet. There is in fact one proven way to lose weight.  It is not to lose it fast. It is to lose it in a slow, measured and sensible way where you will in fact keep it off. So how is that done? It is done with a combination of lifestyle changes that lead to lasting, sustained weight loss. Alternations sleep habits and exercise can also make a huge impact when done simultaneously with better nutritional habits.  Sleep is an often overlooked factor in weight loss and one that is in fact integrally related to the hormonal balance necessary for weight loss. Exercise is important not only for the calories it burns while you are being active, but for the muscle mass it builds (muscles use more calories all the time) so it increases your caloric burn even when you are not being active.

Better nutrition and portion control are at the core of any weight loss.  Programs such as Weight Watchers® which aim to teach balanced eating and accountability as well as tracking phone apps can be very helpful. These plans teach you how to eat they don’t just put you on a restrictive diet or shake plan that is not sustainable.  The skills of eating a balanced and reasonable diet will carry you much further than a fast weight loss plan where you drop pounds by starting yourself for a limited period of time. We are not advocates of carb free diets, but we are in favor of lower carb balanced diets such as the Mediterranean diet that incorporates lean proteins, lots of fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Are there vitamins that help lose weight fast? Yes and no.  Vitamins can play a very important role in weight loss. Our patients and customers continually report to us that their efforts to lose weight seem to go further when they are taking the right vitamins.  It makes sense that if you have unmet nutritional needs or vitamin deficiencies your body will crave foods (often this leads to binge eating unhealthy foods).  If you replace needed nutrients your body is satisfied and you are more able to eat in a sensible, controlled fashion.

And yes, even overweight people are vitamin deficient. They in fact can be more so. Fat soluble vitamins such as A, E, D and K are stored in fat cells. Vitamins remain in the fat cells and do not circulate in the blood stream. In essence larger people have a larger tank to fill. This is likely why Vitamin D deficiency (among others) is more prevalent in overweight populations. Notably there is a correlation between low vitamin D levels and trouble losing weight. Vitamin D among other vital nutrients can be important factor in weight loss, also because of it’s role in energy and mood. Likewise, Iodine can also be an important factor given that it is vital to supporting the thyroid, which regulates metabolism.

Supplementing with a custom vitamin regimen is often the jumpstart people need to feel more energetic, motivated and stay on track in  with their healthy eating and regular exercise. However, do be wary of specific products making claims such as “vitamins for weight loss” or “metabolism boosters”. These products, specifically garcinia cambogia and or green tea extracts are often found to contain illicit substances such as stimulants such as amphetamines and/or caffeine. Some sellers take advantage of a very unregulated industry by creating poor quality products, fraught with potential toxic effects.  Thus “vitamins for weight loss” should really be vitamins to replenish natural vitamin shortfalls.

Vitamins can play a key role in weight loss. So yes, if you want to lose weight fast, you best consider a personalized multivitamin (take our personalized vitamin quiz) in conjunction with a healthful diet, sleep and exercise plan.  Optimizing your health through these means is likely to provide you with systematic, steady weight loss that will last, rather than fad diets which only succeed in the short term.

Romy Block specializes in Endocrinology and Metabolism and is mother to three active adolescent boys. Arielle Levitan is a Doctor of Internal Medicine with a special interest in Preventive Medicine and Women’s Health.  She is a mother of three teen agers. As professional women with active family lives, they recognize that people often neglect their own health needs and are uncertain about what vitamins to take. Each person is different in her diet, exercise and health history, and will benefit from different nutrients.  After years of advising their patients about the proper vitamins to take,  Drs. Block and Levitan created Vous Vitamin® to provide people everywhere with quality vitamins that are suited to their individual needs. They are authors of the award winning The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health (She Writes Press, 2015). Take your vitamin survey now to get exactly the right vitamins for your needs.

The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products offered by Vous Vitamin® are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Nothing contained herein is intended to be a diagnosis or constitute medical advice.  The symptoms described in this Blog may be a result of a serious medical condition which requires medical treatment.  You should consult with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this Blog and before beginning any vitamin or supplement regimen.