How Long Does It Take to Lose 40 Pounds? 5 Proven Methods

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Are you trying to figure out the best way to lose weight? Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and losing weight doesn’t have to be as stressful as many people make it out to be. If you’re struggling with calorie counting and fad diets, look no further.

If you’re looking for a way to lose 40 pounds (or more!), our experts have taken the time to explain the best ways to lose weight without having to rely on fad diets to lose fat and have more energy.

Losing 40 Pounds: How Much Time I Will Need?

Losing weight, especially something like 40 pounds, isn’t the easiest thing to do. It takes a lot of time and commitment.

Don’t get discouraged, though. As long as you have the right tips and tricks, you’ll be able to shed the pounds and get to your goal weight.

Healthy Rate of Weight Loss 

When you’re preparing yourself for your weight loss journey, you need to know the healthy ways of losing fat and weight. There are a lot of fad diets out there that want to encourage you to buy their empty supplements in order to make a quick buck.

Losing weight too quickly can cause all kinds of health issues, including weakening the muscles in your heart, and loose skin. According to the CDC, a healthy rate of weight loss is about one pound per week.

This means that, ideally, you should be aiming for an average of 5-6 pounds every month. 

But, fad diets don’t work. People who waste their time and energy on a fad diet usually end up gaining their weight back within a few months, if they ever lose the weight at all, if you are facing this kind of problem, check out this article: Why Can’t I Lose Weight No Matter What I Do

How Long Does It Take to Lose 40 Pounds?

Following the CDC guidelines for weight loss, with the most you should try to lose in a week to 2 pounds, it can take a while to lose 40 pounds. The quickest that would be healthy to lose 40 pounds would be around 5 or 6 months.

Crash and fad diets aren’t healthy for weight loss. You could, theoretically, lose weight at a faster pace if you were to go down an unhealthy path, but it’s not recommended by any healthcare professional.

Losing weight too fast could result in eating disorders, heart disease, issues with your kidneys, and a reduction in muscle mass. Don’t ever try to lose a large amount of weight at a faster than recommended pace.

How long does it take to lose 40 pounds on keto?

Healthy weight loss still extends to those who are on a keto diet. Ketogenic diets work really well to help people burn fat and lose weight. The CDC still recommends the healthiest pace of weight loss to be 4 to 8 pounds a month.

Along with losing weight, you’re much more likely to lose “inches” on a keto diet.

This means that you’ll be seeing a visible difference in the amount of fat on your body, even if you don’t see that reflected in numbers on the scale.

If you’re interested in losing weight the keto way, we recommend looking into a community-based app that can help you get started. Something like KetoCycle is a great way to dive into the keto lifestyle since starting can be a little overwhelming.

KetoCycle has over 10,000 recipes (and over 6,000 vegetarian recipes!) that are keto-friendly, with ingredients that can all be easily found at your local grocery store. The KetoCycle app also makes it easy to track your food, water intake, and even your exercise habits.

How to Lose 40 Pounds? 5 Proven Methods

So what does it actually take to lose 40 pounds? Healthy weight loss is a process that takes a lot of time and patience. Here are five proven methods to help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

#1 Try something new

The first step to weight loss is moving your body. A key component of weight loss is burning calories, so why not try a new way of getting your body moving and exerting some healthy energy? Daily walks or jogging is a great thing to add to your exercise routine.

#2 Don’t skip meals!

Starving yourself is a surefire way to have your weight loss process backfire on you. Refusing to eat won’t make you lose weight faster. In fact, not eating can cause a whole host of health problems, including stunting your metabolism, blood sugar issues, and digestive problems.

Balance is key. Making sure that you’re eating enough calories to give you energy throughout the day is an important part of weight reduction. You just have to make sure that you’re in a calorie deficit after you’ve added exercise into the mix. So, find a healthy diet and stick with it.

#3 Be consistent 

Only seeing about a pound of weight reduction every week can feel discouraging, but the key to losing 40 pounds is consistency! Yo-yo diets can cause more significant weight gain, and a healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet and physical activity.

It might be hard for the first few weeks, but once you get into a routine, you’ll find that your weekly weight loss is steadier and easier to see. It takes time and patience to reach your goals. Don’t get discouraged!

#4 Count your calorie intake

You should know how many calories you’re eating for each meal. This is good for making sure that you’re not eating too many calories and that you’re not eating too few. Extreme calorie restriction will only cause health issues in the long run.

Normally, to maintain their weight, women need around 2,000 calories per day, and men need about 2,500 calories per day. Medical experts recommend reducing caloric intake by 400–500 calories per day to lose weight healthily.

To lose weight, you should be burning more calories than you’re taking in. Your daily calorie intake will depend on your diet, lifestyle, and exercise routine. The more calories burned, the more calories you’re going to want to eat every day in order to keep your energy up.

#5 Get some rest

Getting a good night’s sleep is important even if you’re not looking to lose 40 pounds. However, if you want to lose weight, you’re going to want to stay rested. 

While it’s essential to exercise regularly, it’s also important to take time to rest. You want to ensure that you are getting at least 6 hours of sleep per night. Studies have shown that those who get less than that are more likely to be overweight.

If you’re not well-rested, you’re going to have trouble exercising, keeping your diet consistent, and keeping yourself motivated. If you find that you don’t have as much energy as usual, make sure to take some time to relax.

Conclusion

Losing 40 pounds might seem like a daunting task, but in reality, it’s much easier than people might think. When you’re looking to lose a specific amount of weight, you want to consider the CDC recommended healthy rate of weight reduction.

It’s recommended to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week, using a healthy diet and exercise, which means only losing 4 to 8 pounds per month. If you’re looking to lose 40 pounds, this could mean being patient and consistent in your plan for up to five months.

It’s important to lose weight slowly over time, rather than falling for a fad or crash diet that promises to help you lose weight fast. Losing too much weight in a short amount of time can cause all kinds of health issues.

These tried and true weight loss methods will help you lose body weight through healthy eating and moving your body. Whether you’re sticking to a keto diet or intermittent fasting, these methods will help you stay on schedule and stay consistent.