When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s tempting to want results as fast as possible. But remember, very rapid weight loss is unlikely to help you to maintain a healthy weight long-term.

If you’re trying to lose weight, the safe weekly rate of weight loss is between 0.5kg and 1kg. That’s between around 1lb and 2lb a week.
In fact, having a goal like looking great at a wedding or reunion can be a great motivator, as long as you follow a weight loss plan that you can keep up after the special event. But you need to plan ahead and allow enough time to make changes to your shape.

People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above, besides a low cal diet and daily exercises will need an extra help – weight-loss medication.
Currently, most available weight loss drugs approved by the FDA are for short-term use, meaning a few weeks or months.

One type of weight-loss medication is “appetite suppressants”. These drugs generally come in the form of tablets or extended-release capsules (pills that release medication over a long period of time). Appetite suppressants can be obtained by a doctor’s prescription or purchased over the counter.

One common prescription appetite suppressant is Acomplia (Rimonabant).

Another type of prescription weight loss drug is a fat absorption inhibitor. Xenical is the only example of this type of treatment approved for use in the U.S. Xenical works by blocking about 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. Xenical is now sold over-the-counter too.

Xenical is the only weight loss drug approved for longer-term use in significantly obese people, although the safety and effectiveness have not been established for use beyond two years.

Most people’s weight tends to level off after six months while taking a weight-loss medication. Weight loss drugs are not for everybody. Discuss weight loss drugs with your doctor first. And remember: the goal is not overnight success!