Scientists have discovered that heavy dieting is a successful way to get rid of the extra pounds.

In spite of health cautions from dieticians, research revealed that dieters, who drop majority of the weight in their first month, are also likely to shed more in the long run.

And that they were just as liable to sustain their new figure as dieters, who shed less.

So the study implies that the initial few weeks of a diet are crucial, and might encourage dieters, to carry on.

Researchers from University of Florida tracked over 250 overweight women, who were asked to cut down their calorie consumption, and to amplify their physical activity for 18 months.

Those, who dropped over 1.5lb in a week, during the first month, lost more than two stone in six months on average.

But those who lost less than half a pound a week initially, ended up shedding only 11lb on the whole. The 1.5lb a week number is well within the safe limits, as suggested by majority of the nutritionists.

Writing in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, the researchers said, “Because weight regain reverses the health benefits achieved with weight loss, considerable efforts have been placed on identifying behavioral factors that may be associated with long-term success”.