Diet and nutrition

What does a healthy, realistic rate of weight loss look like, and why does it matter?

Ask the doctor

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Cropped image of the legs and feet of a man standing on a scale; the weight reading is not visible.How fast should I lose weight if I want to keep it off?

Steady, slow weight loss can also help you maintain a relatively stable metabolism, making it easier to keep the weight off long-term. Quicker weight loss can backfire by lowering the rate at which your body burns calories, promoting muscle loss and possibly leaving you deficient in certain key nutrients.

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About the Author

photo of Meghan Salamon, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT

Meghan Salamon, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT, Contributor

Meghan Salamon is a registered dietitian at the Weight Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has a passion for and background in bariatrics, GLP-1 and weight-loss medication nutrition therapy, as well as behavioral weight management. Meghan … See Full Bio
View all posts by Meghan Salamon, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT
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