To lose 20 pounds (9 kg) in two weeks, you will need to lose a little under 1.5 lbs (675 g) every day. That means burning a little over 5,000 calories more than you consume each day. Yep, a very, very tall order.
But do you really know what's realistic? Over the long term, it's smart to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.
Losing weight safely typically involves losing 1-2 pounds per week ( 1 ). This would allow you to lose 20 pounds within about 5 months at 1 pound per week or 2 1/2 months at about 2 pounds per week.
With that in mind, let's say you exercise five days a week, burning 700 calories each time. That burns an extra 3,500 calories per week. Since there are about 3,500 calories in one pound, it would take you one week to lose one pound and 20 weeks to lose 20 pounds.
Yes, technically it is possible for you to lose 15 pounds in 2 weeks, however, attempting to do this is highly discouraged by dietitians and doctors alike.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that one to two pounds in a week is a safe amount to lose if you're doing it gradually and steadily. 1-2 pounds in a week is a safe amount to lose, per the CDC.
You can lose 20 pounds in 20 days, but you need to give a little effort here. The question of how to lose 20 pounds fat is very easy, follow the right diet and exercise routine.
You won't lose 15 pounds in a week, unless you're a morbidly obese man. Despite all the working out and the carefully measured healthy food, it's not realistic for a person who is not morbidly obese to lose that amount of weight in seven days.
On average, a 15 to 20-pound loss (approximately 2 to 5 percent of your starting body weight) is enough to notice "significant changes in your body," he said. You can start seeing differences in yourself as early as two weeks with rapid weight loss.
Fast weight loss, such as losing 10 pounds in a week, is possible — but it's usually not worth it. In fact, it could be detrimental to your physical and mental health. In reality, plans and programs that promise rapid weight loss or extreme results are best avoided.
When you're trying to lose weight, it's natural to want it to happen very quickly. But people with gradual and steady weight loss (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more likely to keep the weight off.
Drinking Water Can Make You Burn More Calories
Drinking water increases the amount of calories you burn, which is known as resting energy expenditure ( 4 ). In adults, resting energy expenditure has been shown to increase by 24–30% within 10 minutes of drinking water.
It can help with weight loss
Fasting one or two days a week may be a way for you to consume fewer calories over time. You may find this easier to do than cutting back a certain number of calories every day. The energy restriction from a 24-hour fast may also benefit your metabolism, helping in weight loss.
While losing 7 pounds or more per week is possible, it is certainly not safe and healthy. If you lose weight rapidly, you will only eradicate water from your body and not your body fat. You can't safely burn 7 pounds in just a week (5). Fast weight loss also flushes out stored glycogen and lowers your insulin levels.
All in all, it can take anywhere from one week to several months to see noticeable weight loss results. It all depends on your daily activity level, your exercises, and how much you eat each day.
While it's impossible to lose all of your belly fat in 2 weeks, you can lose some of it quickly by losing weight and body fat all over. All you have to do is eat the right foods (cutting calories in the process), amp up your exercise routine, and make a few lifestyle changes for the next 2 weeks.
No matter how alluring it may sound, it is not recommended to lose 15 pounds in two weeks. Evidence shows that a more gradual weight loss is more successful than a rapid one. Losing weight is not about going on a diet, quickly shedding pounds, and then getting back to your regular life.
Experts suggest that the most weight someone can healthily lose in a week is at most 2 pounds. If you lose any more than that, it likely means your calorie intake is so low that you're missing out on important nutrients from food.