Q&A for How to Lose Weight

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What are the best vitamins for losing weight?
    Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
    Weight Loss Specialist
    Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.
    Weight Loss Specialist
    Expert Answer
    There are no magical vitamins that are going to help you cut weight. It's really all about eating healthy and exercising. However, if you have specific dietary needs or nutrient deficiencies, you may benefit from certain supplements. For example, if you're on a ketogenic diet, you may need B vitamin supplements. Still, you should talk to your doctor before you start taking anything for your diet.
  • Question
    How can I prevent obesity later in life?
    Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
    Weight Loss Specialist
    Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.
    Weight Loss Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Commit yourself to exercising every day, be mindful of what you eat, and don't snack. Try to finish your last meal earlier in the day to prevent weight gain from sleeping with a full stomach. So long as you do that, you should be fine!
  • Question
    Which type of fat is good for you?
    Pouya Shafipour, MD, MS
    Weight Loss Specialist
    Dr. Pouya Shafipour is a Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care Physician, and a Weight Loss Specialist based in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Shafipour specializes in dietary, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise counseling to manage obesity and medical conditions related to excessive weight gain or loss. Dr. Shafipour received a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and an MD from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in general surgery at UC Irvine and a residency in family medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and became board certified in family medicine in 2008.
    Weight Loss Specialist
    Expert Answer
    There are a few different categories of fat: saturated, unsaturated, monosaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fat. You want to stay away from trans fats and you don't want to eat too many saturated fats, but there are healthy fats out there. Olives, olive oils, fatty fish, walnuts, and avocado are all healthy forms of fat. A small amount of grass-fed beef isn't the end of the world either, so long as it isn't pumped full of hormones.
  • Question
    Will losing weight be good for my joints?
    Zheni Stavre, MD
    Board Certified Rheumatologist
    Dr. Zheni Stavre is a board-certified Rheumatologist based in Worcester, Massachusetts. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Stavre specializes in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis/Psoriatic Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Gout. She holds a BS in Chemistry from Yale University and an MD in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology from The University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Stavre is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
    Board Certified Rheumatologist
    Expert Answer
    Absolutely! If you're outside the range of your normal BMI, you're putting excess pressure on your joints just from the weight that you're carrying. Shedding a few pounds will definitely improve your joint health.
  • Question
    How can drinking water help you lose belly fat?
    Shira Tsvi
    Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor
    Shira Tsvi is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor with over 7 years of personal training experience and over 2 years leading a group training department. Shira is certified by the National College of Exercise Professionals and the Orde Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports in Israel. Her practice is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
    Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Most people don't drink enough water and end up always thinking they're hungry when they are actually thirsty. Drinking water can help eliminate those unnecessary hunger feelings. Though it may help, drinking water will not directly eliminate belly fat.
  • Question
    How much weight can you lose over the course of 2 weeks?
    Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
    Registered Dietitian
    Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Claudia specializes in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss. She works at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences center, and has been working there since 2015. Before her current role, she worked as a Clinical Nutrition Manager at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she completed her 1200 hour dietetic internship. She received a BS in Nutrition Sciences from Southeast Missouri State University.
    Registered Dietitian
    Expert Answer
    If you follow the steps described in this article, you can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week. To do this, make sure you are cutting 250-500 calories from your diet and burning 250-500 calories through exercise every day.
  • Question
    What can you do if the people around you cook food you need to avoid to lose weight?
    Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
    Registered Dietitian
    Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Claudia specializes in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss. She works at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences center, and has been working there since 2015. Before her current role, she worked as a Clinical Nutrition Manager at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she completed her 1200 hour dietetic internship. She received a BS in Nutrition Sciences from Southeast Missouri State University.
    Registered Dietitian
    Expert Answer
    Having support is very important with weight loss. If everyone can get on board, it will be easier to achieve your goals. Talk to your family (or friends, roommates, etc) before starting your diet and let them know your plan. Explain why you are making this decision and ways they can help you succeed. Even if they do not change with you, that's okay! Go forward with your plan! They may decide to join you once they see you succeed with weight loss.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article