Can drastic lifestyle changes lead to rapid [healthy] weight loss? -

A friend of mine had a sudden change of heart about how she s living. She s 23 years old, about 5 6 and weighs close to 370 lbs. If she drastically changes her diet and begins exercising regularly, she thinks she might be able to lose 140 lbs. by the middle of December [about 7 months from now]. This doesn t sound like a healthy amount to be losing that quickly, but her logic is that if she s switching from an unhealthy life to a healthy life, she won t encounter any problems. I m kind of worried for her health. I m glad she wants to do something about it and I m proud of her for trying, but I also don t want her to get her hopes up for something that s not even possible... what do you think? Is that possible? Is that healthy?

Safe maximum weight loss is generally considered to be 2 - 3 pounds a week. Five pounds a week is unrealistic for the the long haul. She may loose that much for a short time but not likely over 7 months.