A healthy and sustainable weight loss rate is generally 0.5 to 1 kilogram (1-2 pounds) per week, achieved by creating a moderate calorie deficit (around 500 calories less than you burn daily) through diet and exercise, focusing on long-term habit changes rather than quick fixes to avoid muscle loss and health issues like fatigue or gallstones.
Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week over the long term. To do that, you'll need to burn about 500 to 750 calories more than you take in each day.
Possible Health Concerns
Losing more than 1 or 2 lb (0.5 to 1 kg) a week is not safe for most people. It can cause you to lose muscle, water, and bone density. Rapid weight loss can also cause some side effects including: Gallstones.
According to health experts, losing 1 kilogram per week is a healthy and sustainable rate of losing body fat. Losing more than 1 kg per week is considered too fast and unsafe. The idea of losing weight quickly sure sounds tempting at the beginning.
Adele's significant weight loss wasn't from a quick fix but a two-year journey combining intense, varied workouts (strength training, Pilates, boxing, hiking, cardio) and lifestyle changes, driven largely by addressing anxiety and improving her mental health, though she also worked with trainers and focused on eating more whole foods while denying specific restrictive diets like intermittent fasting. She described getting "addicted" to exercise, often training multiple times daily, emphasizing getting stronger, not just losing weight.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Your most consistent and "true" weight is generally in the morning, after using the restroom and before eating or drinking anything, because your body has had time to digest overnight, leading to less fluctuation from food, liquids, and daily activities. Weighing at the same time, with minimal clothing, and under consistent conditions helps track trends more accurately than weighing at night when weight is higher due to meals and hydration.
Unlike Phogat, Kom successfully shed extra kilos by skipping, allowing her to compete and win a gold medal. Experts suggest combining a well-balanced diet with an effective fitness routine for rapid weight loss, emphasizing the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength training, and cardio workouts.
2. Foods to Avoid When Losing Weight
Realistic Timeframes
Losing 5 kilogrammes (11 pounds) may seem like a small goal, but it is a sustainable and healthy rate of weight loss. A safe and achievable rate is usually between 0.5 and 1 kilogramme (1 to 2 pounds) per week. Based on this rate, you should expect to lose 5 kg in approximately 5 to 11 weeks.
Her diet included meals like vegetable poha, fruit, roti, and grilled chicken. Alia trained with Yasmin Karachiwala, blending Pilates, cardio, and strength exercises. Her 7-day routine included running, push-ups, yoga, squats, and crunches to tone and lose weight.
Another study found that middle-aged overweight and obese people who drank water before every meal, lost 44% more weight than those who didn't. Staying hydrated can also help you feel fuller at mealtimes, which means you'll eat less and therefore consume fewer calories.
Aiming to lose 1% of body weight per week is a slightly aggressive but totally reasonable rate of weight loss for most individuals, but it can be very aggressive and result in very large energy deficits for heavier people.
According to fitness coach Raj Ganpath, losing 10 kg in 2-3 months is possible but highly unsustainable. He explains that to achieve this, you need a daily calorie deficit of about 1,300, which is extremely difficult to maintain.
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.
One reason it seems like celebrities lose weight so fast is the intensity and frequency of their physical training—especially when a big role or tour is coming up.
At what time of the day are you heaviest? Generally speaking, people are at their heaviest after eating a meal and at their lightest after strenuous exercise where they sweat out their water weight.
Strictly speaking, body weight is the measurement of mass without items located on the person. Practically though, body weight may be measured with clothes on, but without shoes or heavy accessories such as mobile phones and wallets, and using manual or digital weighing scales.
What affects weight
Although it's more common to skip breakfast or dinner, some people prefer to fast during the mid-day and skip lunch. There are not a lot of scientific studies on skipping lunch, but one research study revealed that skipping lunch and breakfast lowered total diet quality more than skipping dinner did [3].
Kelly Clarkson lost weight by combining a high-protein diet, regular walking, and prescription medication that supported her metabolism. She also adopted a lectin-free diet to reduce inflammation.
In the end, remember the three C's of weight loss: Be Consistent with your exercise, Change the movements and workouts (if not every session, at least every 6-8 weeks), and Control your eating habits.