Look.
Chances are you’re reading this article right now because you are desperate.
You are sick and tired of the way you look.
You are fed up with being overweight, unhealthy, and feeling like shit.
You want results and you want them now.
You’re just starting out so you want to know how much weight will you be able to lose in a month.
But more specifically you want to know the MAXIMUM amount of weight you can lose in a month.
And you want to do it with as little work as humanly possible.
Now I could easily draw out this intro paragraph a bit longer and tell you how the world and the government has fucked you into being overweight.
I could tell you how it’s not your fault.
I could tell you that all you need to do is sign up for my $97 program and you’ll be able to lose 50 pounds in a single month with zero dieting, 20 minutes of exercise, and less effort than hitting resume on the season premiere of Orange is the New Black.
That would be the dream, huh?
Well that’s because it is a dream.
“How much weight can I lose in a month?” Why asking this question already guarantees you’re fucked
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The mere fact that you’re asking this question shows flawed thinking.
If you’re asking “how much weight can I lose this month,” you’re basically telling yourself, “I want this weight loss crap to be over as fast as humanly possible.”
And that’s totally understandable.
When you’re first getting started, no one wants to diet and exercise.
It’s not a sexy and enjoyable thing to do.
But if you’re looking for ways to lose the maximum amount of weight in a month, 2 months, 12 months or whatever…
…then you’re telling yourself that you don’t want to put in the work after that time period.
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You’re telling yourself “Okay, I’m going to exercise 6x per week and eat nothing but salad for the next 30 days.”
But after those 30 days, we all know what happens.
Everything goes to the shitter.
Your old shitty eating habits come back up, you stop exercising, and surprise, you gain back what you lost in a matter of days.
But this should really come to no surprise.
You essentially fucked yourself from the beginning.
Deep down you knew you could never sustain your insane workout/diet for the month.
What’s the maximum amount of weight someone can lose in a month?
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Okay let’s give some practical advice.
Here’s what you can realistically expect to lose if you’re just starting a weight loss plan:
The more weight you have to lose, the more you will initially lose.
If you are 100 pounds overweight, you’ll probably lose up to 20 pounds in your first month.
This is simply because you have more bodyweight to lose.
That and you’re going to lose a lot of water weight.
But if you are already pretty lean and have 10 pounds to lose, you might only lose 1-2 pounds in a month.
Most people will lose 1-2 pounds per week
Note how I said just said “pounds.”
This isn’t pure body fat.
The first week you will more lose more water, then it tapers off to 1-2 pounds per week.
Related: Can you lose 10 pounds in a week?
Once you get to those last 5-10 pounds, weight loss can slow down to as little as 0.5 pounds per week.
Weight loss is not linear
As much as we want it to happen, weight loss is not linear.
This means you are not going to lose 1 pound per week for 12 weeks until you reach your goal weight.
You’ll go some weeks losing 1-2 pounds per week, then go 2 weeks without losing anything.
The secret is to stay consistent and trust the process.
30 days is not enough time to see big changes in your body
Sorry to crush the dreams of everyone reading this article, but 30 days is not nearly enough time to see huge changes in your physique.
I’m not saying you won’t see results.
But seriously, what were you expecting to happen in 30 days?
Professional fitness models give themselves up to 20 weeks to get shredded and you want that in 30 days?
Get the fuck out of here.
Instead of 1 month goals, use 1 month checkpoints
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Trying to lose the maximum amount of weight in 1 month (30 days) never works because you’re not focused on creating life long habits.
It’s why people who try to lose weight for a wedding or high school reunion immediately put back on the weight afterwards.
They’re so focused on getting in shape by the end of the month that they have know idea what the hell they’re going to do afterwards.
So how do you beat this?
Instead of setting 1 month goals, set 1 month checkpoints.
1 month checkpoints remove the stress and pressure of having to hit some ridiculous goal at the end of the month.
It helps you refocus your mental energy and really gives you a sense of accomplishment every single month.
Here’s an example:
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1 month goal: “I need to lose 10 pounds in the next month.”
1 month checkpoint: “I will make healthier food choices and stay within my daily calories.”
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1 month goal: “I will never eat sugar again this month.”
1 month checkpoint: “I will reduce my sugar intake slightly and focus on staying within my calories.”
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1 month goal “I will go to the gym 6x per week for 2 hours at a time.”
1 month checkpoint: “I will go the gym at least once this week then 2x next week, then 3x the following week. As long as I’m improving, I’m good to go. ”
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As you can see, the whole point is to take incremental steps towards your goal instead of trying to take one massive leap and fall flat on your face like most people.
So bottom line: Use 1 month checkpoints to create momentum and crush any long term goal.
Your 3 step battle plan to losing the max amount of weight this month (and the rest of your life)
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Step #1: Create a calorie deficit
The cornerstone of any diet is a calorie deficit. This means you need to eat less than your burn in order to lose weight.
Most people can start with getting about 10-12x your bodyweight in pounds for their daily calorie intake.
You would need to slightly adjust down if you aren’t initially losing weight.
If you want to lose weight faster, you would start at 10x.
But please note that the lower calorie you go, the harder it gets since hunger will be greater.
Step #2: Get your macros (and micros) under order
Macros are your protein, carbs, and fats.
In order to preserve muscle mass as well as regulate hunger, you should aim to get a minimum of 0.6 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight if you’re relatively sedentary.
If you’re doing heavy weight lifting like I recommend in Superhero Shredding 2.0, then you would need to bump that up to 0.8 grams.
Step #3: Set realistic expectations
Arguably the most important step in this whole process.
Most people know that they need to eat less crap and exercise more in order to lose weight.
Where 99% of people screw up is they’re unrealistic, lazy, and really just too much of a pussy to put in the work.
Sorry, some one had to say it.
Anyone can chase the goal of losing 5-10 pounds in a month but how many can maintain those results for the next 6-12 months? How about 6-12 years?
Most can’t.
That’s why expectations are so important.
You can’t expect a miracle in a month. The sooner you realize that, the better off you’ll be.
So what exactly the brutally honest truth?
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It’s this:
- If your mentality is “What is the maximum amount of weight I can lose this month?” then you already lost. You will never be successful at losing weight unless you approach it with a long term mindset.
- The stories you hear about people losing 30+ pounds per month almost never happen unless you’re morbidly obese.
- Weight loss is not linear. You always lose more in the beginning, level out to about 1-2 pounds per week in the middle, and weight loss slows down to a crawl in the end. Always.
- Stop searching for the fucking “secret.” It doesn’t exist. Just like becoming a millionaire or finding that perfect girlfriend who’s hot, smart, and kind, there’s no secret. The “secret” is that there is not secret. It’s all about having consistency, grit, and determination to get what you want.
What’s your biggest struggle with losing weight? Drop a comment below and let me know. I’m glad to help.
Hey! For the strength training, should I go light(30-50% effort), heavy (70% effort), or very heavy (almost failure at the 5th rep)? Thanks!
Depends on your past workout history, expirience, and goals. But if your goal is primarily to look good, I suggest heavier lifting if you can do it (around 80% 1RM) 4-6 reps.
I’ve been eating 900-1000 calories/day + daily exercise of either Zumba, yoga, or running/walking. I eat only whole foods and have cut out sweets. I lost 4 pounds initially but am now gaining weight. I have a very active lifestyle of working in a greenhouse/farm and raising 4 kids. I don’t sit at a desk or even get to sit through a movie. So why can’t I lose weight? I’m 40, in great health, 5’6″ and 158 lbs. At this point, it’s no longer about losing weight to fit in my clothes again, it’s about justice for someone who makes healthy choices yet is overweight! Lol. Help!!
don’t eat so few calories, you’re hurting yourself in the long run especially with all that exercise.
Hey. I feel I do eat around 1000 calories per day. I even workout and burning 700-1000 calories daily (no rest days) is my goal. If I continue the same, how long would it take me to loose 20 kgs approximately?
maybe 6-8 months. 1000 calories per day is way too low, don’t do that.
Hello my name is Josh, I’m a teenager and I would like to know if a caloric deficit is meant for teens.. Like I’m scared I might stunt my growth or gain back all the weight quickly (that’s what some of my friends said that I will gain back all the weight) like I’m currently over weight for my age that’s what my doc said and its true I would like if this would be beneficial for me and if it would help shed my belly fat and my maan breast. Please reply back asap thank you (:
How old are you?
I’m 16 male and want to lose about 60 pounds in 4 months, help please!
Best thing you could do is just start making healthier food choices (more fruits, veggies, lean meats, less soda and candy). You don’t even need to start tracking calories.
heyy uhmm how much weight would i lose if i go for a 1000 calorie diet? please include the fact that i train in track and field thrice a week. my work outs usually include sprinting and circuit training requiring all of us to give 100%. i really need to lose weight. im 16 years old.
No that’s stupid, don’t do that if you’re 16. Just make healthier food choices.
Hey you stated below that this article is outdated. I want to try approach 3, a mix of both diets on different weeks would you advise me on what updates you think I should do? Thanks
I’ve been taking in 900-1000 calories a day some days less than that,its been 28 days and I’m already down 23 lbs as of today is that too much too fast just wondering if I should be worried even though I feel great
What’s your current weight?
Hi im 22 years old, 63 kg i eat 1000 cal everyday i exercise 6 times a week (50 situps and jogging in place for 15 minutes) i want to lose 10 lbs in 3 months . How much calories i should be eating to reach my goal. Please help me
I’d aim for about 1300 per day.
I’m 5’7″ and recently gained ten pounds due to an unhealthy increased amount of food intake. I now weigh 120, which isn’t bad– I’m aware. But I’d like to be at my happy weight which is 110lbs. How should I go about losing the extra weight in the quickest amount of time without losing muscle?
Don’t go the “quickest route,” you’ll only end up succeeding short term and binging.
Hi, I’m 25/f/154 lbs. Is it okay to eat 1000-1200 calories a day and have one fast day a week? I do the 21 Day Fix workout program. I would like to lose 30-35 pounds as soon as possible and am curious how long it may take.
What do you do during the one fast?
Hi! So, the last few days I’ve been eating around 1000 calories a day, which balance up to two meals. Both of which sources around 50% protein, 25% fat and 25% carb. 4 days a week I train twice a day, fasted cardio in the morning, and heavy weight training in the evening. I don’t eat before 12 and I don’t eat after 9pm. I know this probably isn’t the safest option to go about losing body fat as I’m putting my muscle at risk BUT I’m committed and determined to be lean. How much do you think I am able to lose if I carry on for 2-3 weeks?
Thanks!
How heavy are you? 1000 calories is probably too low.
i am 45 years of age and live on oxygen so my activity level is not the greatest my current weight is 218 i would like to loose 100 lbs not to fit in a bathing suit but so it will be easier for me to breath. I realize this is going to take some time any suggestions to give me a jump start
Hello I’m 27 year old female i had a baby a little over a year ago and i weight 250lbs im going on a vaction late september and i wanting to lose about 75lbs if possible before then. As of monday 6/11/16 i’ve droppes my calorie intake to 1000 or less calories per day and im going to start the t25 work out progman monday 6/20/16 any advise/pointers would be awesome!!!
Hey hie there … I plan for the second approach and need a protien powder , what type of protien powder shall be required ? Thanks
Not “required.”
MTS whey, ON gold standard whey are pretty good….