How long does it take to gain 20 pounds?

Author: Gwendolyn Emmerich  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

In our experience, the average skinny guy can gain 20 pounds in 20 weeks without gaining a noticeable amount of fat. But if you want to play it safe, you can gain weight more slowly. You can control how quickly you gain weight by adjusting how many calories you eat.

Can I gain 20 pounds in a month?

To gain a pound of weight you need to eat 3500 calories above your maintenence level, and if you really wanted to gain 20 lbs in 30 days that means you would have to eat a surplus of 70000 calories during that period.

How to gain 20 lbs fast?

In general, your plan may include:
  1. Eating more frequently. Slowly begin to eat 5 to 6 smaller meals during the day. ...
  2. Choosing food with lots of nutrients. ...
  3. Top it off. ...
  4. Try smoothies and shakes. ...
  5. But watch what and when you drink. ...
  6. Exercise.

Is it possible to gain 20lbs in 3 months?

Gaining 20 pounds of muscle in three months is possible, but takes meticulous planning and nutrition. In fact, strongman Jonathan Lawson was able to gain 20 pounds of muscle and lose body fat at the same time in only 10 weeks.

Is gaining 20 pounds noticeable?

Carrying an extra 20 pounds can have a noticeable impact on your body, and you may feel a range of physical and emotional effects throughout the day.

How I lost 32 pounds of FAT and 10 inches off my waist

How fast can you realistically gain 20 pounds?

In our experience, the average skinny guy can gain 20 pounds in 20 weeks without gaining a noticeable amount of fat. But if you want to play it safe, you can gain weight more slowly. You can control how quickly you gain weight by adjusting how many calories you eat.

Is 20 lbs overweight a lot?

Overweight is defined as a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 to 29.9, which is about ten to 30 pounds overweight depending on your height. Obese is defined as anyone with a BMI of 30 or above.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

How did I suddenly gain 20 pounds?

There are many possible causes of rapid weight gain, including anxiety and depression, insomnia, certain medications, and hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A healthcare provider can help you determine the cause of your sudden weight gain.

Is 20 lbs in 3 months realistic?

Yes, it is possible for a person to lose 20 lbs in 3 months with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a sustainable calorie deficit. However, experts recommend a gradual weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week to avoid health risks.

What is considered rapid weight gain?

Putting on five pounds in a week, or two to three pounds in 24 hours, is a good reason to talk to your doctor if nothing's changed in your day-to-day. “If you can't get to the bottom of unexplained weight gain, talk to your doctor to make sure there's nothing serious going on,” Dr.

What is the maximum weight you can gain in a month?

The maximum weight a person can gain in a month depends on factors like diet, activity level, and genetics, as well as whether the gain is from fat, muscle, or water retention. With consistent overeating of 500–1,000 extra calories daily, a person can gain around 8–16 pounds (3.6–7.2 kg) of fat in a month.

Why am I gaining weight if I barely eat?

If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.

How long does water retention last?

Water retention may clear without treatment in a few days. However, if there is a health problem causing you to hold onto fluid, your swelling may worsen over time. You may find that the body parts retaining water become tight, swollen, and painful. If untreated, heart or kidney problems may get much worse.

What is a hormonal belly?

Hormonal belly is when a person gains weight around the abdomen due to hormonal fluctuations. This could be due to changes in thyroid, adrenal, reproductive, or other hormone levels.

How to gain weight fast for skinny people?

Successful weight gain requires that you increase your daily intake of carbohydrates. Avoid low carbohydrate diets. Eating vast amounts of dietary protein won't make your muscles grow faster and will put unnecessary pressure on your body, especially your kidneys. Avoid high-protein diets.

What kills water weight?

Water weight is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be uncomfortable and recurring. Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning.

How to lose belly fat fast?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

Is 20lbs noticeable?

A good rule of thumb is that people tend to notice your weight loss when you've lost around 10% of your starting weight, so if you started at 250lbs, people will start to notice when you've lost 25lbs. Naturally, the same amount of weight loss can look different on different people.

What weight is dangerously overweight?

more than 100 lbs. over your ideal body weight, or. have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40, or.

Why am I skinny but I eat a lot?

You may be born naturally small and your low BMI can be due to your genes. You may have a very high metabolism and find it hard to put on weight, even if you eat foods that have a lot of calories. You may not follow a healthy, balanced diet because you forget to eat or cannot afford nutritious foods.

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