How to Lose Weight Quickly

Losing Weight Fast
“Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Days!”

“Eat as Much as You Want — and Still Lose Weight!”

“Drop One Dress Size a Day!”

Rapid weight loss can seem easy if you believe these advertising claims.

Fad diets and weight loss supplements promise a slimmer body in no time. In the U.S. alone, consumers spend $33 billion each year on weight loss products.

Do any of these products really lead to rapid weight loss? Are they safe? And what are the risks of rapid weight loss? WebMD took a look at some rapid weight loss claims, as well as the available evidence.

What Is Rapid Weight Loss?
So many marketers promise “fast weight loss” that it’s difficult to sort through them all. A rapid weight loss program is a diet where you lose more than 2 pounds a week for several weeks.

Most rapid weight loss pitches fall into these categories:

Starvation diets

This kind of diet is exactly what it sounds like — a plan that promotes fasting and severely limits what foods you can eat. Beyoncé popularized the so-called “master cleanse” diet: water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. Variations of these diets have been around since the 1950s. They often also promise “detoxification” through colonics or enemas.

Diet pills and supplements

Dozens of diet supplements promise to speed up weight loss. Generally, they claim to block the absorption of nutrients, increase metabolism, or burn fat.

Very low-calorie diets (VLCDs)

One proven method of rapid weight loss is the medically supervised very low-calorie diet (VLCD). Most of what is known about rapid weight loss comes from studies of people on these diets. VLCDs are often used before weight loss surgery and under the guidance of a doctor. They are usually recommended for 12 weeks or less.

Creams and other devices

There seems to be no end to the questionable ideas promoted in the name of rapid weight loss. Most promise to replace diet or exercise. Some creams promise to aid in weight loss when used on specific body parts. Be cautious if an advertiser claims that you can “lose weight with this patch or cream,” as the Federal Trade Commission has made it clear that such claims are false.