With long history of back injury, I have been advised to get my weight down.

I am a 57-year-old Australian man of 5 feet 10 inches weighing 105 kilograms (231 pounds). I have a long history of back injury with problems at L5 to L4 and now a new condition with L5 to S1 disk almost non-existent. I also have a narrowing at C6 from a broken neck. Don't...

I’d like to know more about “The maximum weight loss currently recommended is two pounds per week”.

Thanks so much for you Ask the Dietitian® page. The sections on weight loss have been particularly interesting to me. I do have a question, though! Although you touch on this a bit in your Overweight page, I'd like to know more about the statement "The maximum weight loss currently recommended is 2-pounds per week....

My mother is overweight and have no idea what to tell her to help.

I am writing to you because I have a little problem. My mother is overweight, even though she does activities and eats well (most of the time). I have no idea what to tell her that would help her out. This has been going on for a long time and I would really like...

Have you heard of the American Medical Association endorsed 3 day diet?

Have you heard of the American Medical Association endorsed 3-day diet? Do you know how I could find out about it? No, I haven't heard about the AMA 3-day diet. You could search the AMA website to find what the diet entails. If anyone has the details, please write. Lastly, I wonder what could be accomplished...

I am 45 pounds overweight. Should I track calories or fat grams?

I have heard many different opinions as to what to go by when trying to lose weight. I am about 45 pounds overweight and have finally started trying to lose some of it. Some people have told me to go by the number of calories in a product as to whether it is healthy...

From a MD nutritionist, I had hoped for a more progressive approach to obesity than drug therapy.

I am 40 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weigh 267 pounds. I have been extremely overweight since youth and have made many weight loss efforts. One particularly "effective" diet was a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. Ten years ago, I lost 120 pounds in about 14 months but it took less than...

I’m 230 pounds and interested in joining the Optifast program.

I'm 230 pounds, 5 feet 8 inches and I'm interested in joining the "Optifast" program. My only problem is that I hear that it's very costly. ($300 initial fee; $120 per week ) I live in New York City and I was wondering if all the participating doctors charge the same rate? How would...

What would happen if I ate the exact amount of calories to maintain my goal weight?

Does the excess weight an overweight person have the need to be supported? I am currently overweight going to Weight Watchers and do not understand what would happen if I ate the exact amount of calories to maintain my goal weight. I understand I am eating a little less than that, but what if...

What is your opinion about support groups? I belong to TOPS which is modeled after AA.

What is your opinion about support groups? I belong to an organization called TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) which is modeled after AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). It is non-profit and promotes no special diet - just group support. I found that this is the only way to control my eating and it is like Weight...

For weight loss, I drink 1 1/2 to 2 liters of water a day and lost six pounds in two weeks.

I recently started a weight loss program and have changed my eating habits within 3 weeks time. I drink 2 sometimes 1 1/2 liters of water a day, mostly chicken, and veggies. I lost 6 pounds the first two weeks when I checked in with my nutritionist. Is this too much weight? I am...