"People who lose greater amounts of weight initially in weight-loss attempts may experience better weight loss and maintenance results than those who lose weight gradually, according to research published in the June issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine."
Faster Weight Loss Appears to Yield Better Results
The blurb on allnurses.com also has links to the abstract and original article. I know that we often hear people say that if you lose the weight slowly, you're more likely to keep it off. This study seems to contradict that. In the end, I think it truly is an individual mindset -- whether you lose weight slowly or quickly, you'll keep it off if you commit to maintaining your diet and exercise at a level that allows you to live without feeling like you're sacrificing to stay thin. But that's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions!