How Much Weight Can I Lose In A Month? Here’s The Brutally Honest Truth

January 22, 2017 | 244 Comments


how much weight can you lose in a month

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

weight loss 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.

244 Comments - Leave Your Thoughts

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  1. Hi I m 40 yrs.i m 5 ‘7.my weight now 108.1 day I take calories around 800-1000.and do skipping in d eve for 15 min.my target is to reduse 30 kg.if I followed this method, within how many months I can reduse .pls advice me on this.thanks

  2. Hi. I’m 16 years old. 154 cm and 73kg . I’ve been fasting for 3 days and plan to fast for 2 more weeks now and i power walk for and hour +30min . I also do 45 min of cycling. I drink 4 litres of water and eat just 3 bowls of fruits and a bowl of vegetables. I’d like to lose 40 pounds. How much can i lose in a month ?

      1. No. Its part of oyr relegion. We have to fast for a whole month. From suneıse tıll sunset. To feel for those who are less fortunate.
        I changed my diet a lıttle and my workout.
        İ started eatıng a lıttle bıt more protoen such as eggs and lean meat. I also stoped walking and am currently just doıng HIIT workouts and tonıng workouts. Would thıs help me lose weıght and not gaın it

        1. Oh you mean for ramadan, right? But you’re still eating every day, as long as you’re not going 3 days with zero food, that’s fine.

  3. Hi my name is Solange and I am currently 186 . I need to loose 30 lbs by November 18th . I’m getting married . Currently I’m doin slim fast shakes 2x daily . And 3 100 calorie snacks daily and a dinner that ranges between 400-500 right before I head to the gym and do a hour and a half on the treadmill in cardio mode , along with a 30 day challenge of squats with dumbbell weights …what can I do to achieve the best results as far as a flatter stomach n toned thighs

  4. I have a wedding that I’m in the end of next month. I’m roughly 350 lbs how much can I lose in that time? I am a faster naturally where I eat one time per day because I’m usually all over the place.

    1. Sorry for the late reply, but in one month’s time, you can lose quite a bit because you’re carrying a lot of weight.

      My guess is around 20 pounds.

  5. I am 32 years old and 320 pounds. I set my calorie intake at 1000 calories a day with at least 60 grams of protein and less than 30 carbs. Heres an example of my meal plan

    Breakfast – 100 calorie, 3 carb protein shake ( 17 grams protein )
    am snack – almondsic program to get the

    Lunch – Another shake
    afternoon snack – carrots/ green veggie

    Dinner – Atkins meals with less usually less than 300 calories and 15 carbs.

    I also make sure I drink 60 oz of water and have been walking 3 miles.

    I am on day 4 of this diet. How much should I expect to loose in a month?

  6. Hi there, l am 43 years old and weight 10 stone 3 ponds. I am 5ft 1 inch in height. I want to weight 9 stone in the next 3 months with a total weight loss of about 16-18 pounds. I am physically very active using kettle bells 8 kgs 6 days per week for 20 mins and walking fast with 2 dogs for about 45mins per day, however l do have a sweet tooth, which is a huge downfall, particularly when stressed with work. I eat between 1500 to 1800 calories per day. He motivation is so hard to keep going on a daily basis. Can you please advise? Thank you

  7. Hi, I’m 24 years old (male, 6ft) and currently 189lbs.

    I’m looking to reach 165lbs, been eating around 1200 calories a day but only vegetables, fruit, low fat yoghurt, oats etc.

    How long will it take and do you have any advice?

    Thanks

    1. 1200 is way too low. I don’t recommend that anymore.

      You should be getting a minimum of 1900 if you want faster weight loss.

  8. I’m currently at 179 lbs and need to go down to 165 in 1 month. Is this achievable? and what form of exercise should I do? THanks

  9. I’m 13 years old and 53 kg and 5’5. I need to lose weight really fast and I go to gym an hour and half 3times a week. What should I do?

    1. You’re only 13 you shouldn’t be trying to “diet.”

      Please please just try to make healthier choices any extra weight you’re worried about will eventually come off.

  10. I’m 35 5’11 199
    I have a birthday and anniversary in a month my waist is a 30.5 inch and I want to lose 10 pounds or more and drop my waist by 2 inches can I go on a 1300 calorie diet and be safe and workout.

    1. No I would not.

      If you want to be more aggressive with dropping your calories, try to get at least 2000 calories per day.

  11. I’ve been on the 800-1000 calories a day (+I eat for the calories I burn off by exercise) for a couple of days now and Heinz tomato soup and tea is literally saving my life.

    Theres only 216 calories in one can of the tomato soup (+it’s SUPER delicious) and idk if it makes a diffrence hunger wise I always add a couple og garlic gloves.

    Usually I eat 2 of those throughout the day and eat about 600-1000 calories at dinner. And then I exercise for 1-2 hours a day.

    In the evening most of us know the urge to just go eat a LOT of fries and stuff just binge in genereal. That’s where the tea comes in, tea supress hunger so it’s actually a great alternative (+ some teas have great pros)

    Sorry for the long comment I just thought I’d share my experience.
    Overall I don’t think this is hard except for the evening.

  12. I forgot one question.

    Do you think I’ll gain weight if I stick to the 800-1000 a day diet untill I’ve reached my goal. And then add 100 calories a week untill I reach the amount of calories I need.

    I’m thinking about the ”going back ofter diet” fat. Could I avoid the weight gain if I just add 100 calories a week?

  13. Hi, im 21 and I weigh 149 pounds and im about 5″4. I’ve started eating healthy and going to the gym 5-6 days a week (mainly strenght training everyday + 20 mins a day on a crosstrainer) I consume about 1200 -1300 cals a day , is that enough?

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