I think it would depend on the long term metabolic results. Better diet and exercise almost always can make a difference, but the problem with large amounts of

I think it would depend on the long term metabolic results. Better diet and exercise almost always can make a difference, but the problem with large amounts of weight loss is the level of changes needed to maintain said weight loss. The long term study on "The Biggest Loser" contestants has some interesting insights into this where contestants who lost lots of weight had slower metabolisms than other people in their same weight classes even years after losing the weight, whether they gained it all back or not. In other words, a 150lbs person who never had to lose a lot of weight actually can eat more and work out less than a 150lbs person that lost 150lbs 5 years ago. Also, the resting burn rate was still lower in the contestants. It's just a recipe for long term failure if your metabolism doesn't adjust and reset after weight loss.