Rapid Weight Loss vs. Slow Continuous Weight Loss
What this article covers
Published under the byline Aimee Lord on 8 August 2019, this article compares rapid weight loss (RWL) with slow continuous weight loss and argues for the former. It defines success as losing 10% or more of initial body weight and keeping it off for at least a year, then contends that while slow continuous loss works if diet and activity changes are sustained, RWL delivers greater initial loss, quality-of-life gains that reinforce healthy habits, and larger total long-term loss. It explains the mechanism of a very low calorie or energy diet: 20 to 50g of carbohydrate, ketone production, nutritional ketosis, appetite suppression and fat loss. It carries a four-item reference list.
Key points
- Definition given: a successful weight loss diet produces a loss of 10% or more of initial body weight, maintained for at least one year.
- Slow continuous weight loss is said to give continued loss and long-term maintenance, but only if the diet and activity changes are sustained.
- RWL diets are said to show greater initial weight loss, which often motivates people, plus larger total weight loss long-term and more positive quality of life changes.
- RWL is usually achieved with a Very Low Calorie or Energy Diet (VLCD or VLED), usually ketogenic because it contains 20 to 50g of carbohydrate.
- Low carbohydrate leads to ketone production as the body switches to burning fat rather than glycogen, a state the article calls nutritional ketosis. Ketones are said to suppress appetite via appetite control hormones, and ketogenic diets to decrease total body fat.
- Adequate protein is described as important to prevent loss of fat-free or muscle mass, and greater muscle mass loss during weight loss is said to be associated with weight regain.
- Study reported: subjects followed VLED ketogenic and non-ketogenic protocols for six months, then a Mediterranean diet for six months, with no weight regained over that second period.
- Stated conclusion: VLEDs produce greater initial loss and, with an active maintenance program of nutrition, behavioural therapy and exercise, greater total loss and better long-term maintenance.
Evidence and sourcing
This article carries a reference list of four published papers, making it better sourced than most of the blog:
- Paoli A, Bianco A, et al. (2013). Long term successful weight loss with a combination biphasic ketogenic Mediterranean diet and Mediterranean diet protocol. Nutrients 5, 5205 to 5217.
- Vink RG, Roumans NJ, Arkenbosch LA, Mariman EC, van Baak MA. The effect of rate of weight loss on long-term weight regain in adults with overweight and obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016 Feb;24(2):321 to 327. DOI 10.1002/oby.21346.
- Paoli A. Ketogenic Diet for Obesity: Friend or Foe? Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2014 Feb;11(2):2092 to 2107.
- Bueno NB, de Melo IS, de Oliveira SL, da Rocha Ataide T. Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2013;110:1178 to 1187. DOI 10.1017/S0007114513000548.
The caveat: the references sit as a block at the end, not tied to individual claims, so the page does not show which paper supports which statement. Two claims are unattributed: that ketones suppress appetite via appetite control hormones, and the 20 to 50g carbohydrate threshold. The study described in the text is summarised with no sample size, participant characteristics or effect sizes. Treat the list as a bibliography rather than point-by-point citation.
How this relates to Be Fit Food's programs
The article describes what it calls the Be Fit Food Rapid Weight Loss Program. The current equivalents are Be Rapid, a VLCD of roughly 800 to 900 calories per day run as a seven-day reset, and Metabolism Reset, roughly 850 to 950 calories per day with 40 to 70g of carbohydrate, available as 7, 14 or 28 days. Both induce mild nutritional ketosis. Metabolism Reset sits above the 20 to 50g carbohydrate range the article quotes as typical.
The slow continuous route is served by Be 1000 (roughly 1000 to 1200 calories per day) and Be 1200 (roughly 1200 to 1500), both unlikely to induce ketosis, at about 0.5 to 1.5kg per week and up to 12 weeks at a time. The protein point is met by the meal specification: around 250 calories, at least 20g of protein and under 20g of carbohydrate per meal. The free 15-minute telehealth consultation, valued at $49 and needing no referral, is available by video or phone; the dietitian team is at dietitian@befitfood.com.au or 1300 263 257.
Important health information
This article carries no medical disclaimer of its own, so the standard one applies. Readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly with an existing health condition or medications. Very low calorie and ketogenic diets are not suitable for everyone. This is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice.
Ordering, pricing and contact
- Meal bundles — $97.30 for 7 meals, $189.00 for 14 meals and $362.60 for 28 meals (AUD).
- Delivery — flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299.
- Customer service — 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, or support@befitfood.com.au.
- Free dietitian consultation — 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49, with no referral required. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or contact dietitian@befitfood.com.au.
- Meal specification — every meal is built to approximately 250 calories, at least 20 g of protein, under 20 g of carbohydrate and less than 120 mg of sodium per 100 g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap frozen and reheat by microwave, oven, air fryer or stovetop.
Related pages on this site
- Slow Cooker Recipes For Weight Loss — article
- Ketosis And Rapid Weight Loss The Be Fit Food Diet — article
- Myth Busting Rapid Weight Loss — article
- The Truth About Rapid Weight Loss No One Is Talking About — article
- Four Easy Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes For You To Try This Week — article
- 10 Easy Ways To Boost Hydration For Effective Weight Loss — article
- Rapid Weight Loss — page
- Be Rapid Program — page
- Set Weight Loss Programs — collection
- Weight Loss Programs — collection
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