So you want to lose 15 pounds and you’re wondering how long it will take to accomplish this feat. Well, if you want to lose weight in a healthy way and ensure you keep it off, it will take at least 8 weeks (and maybe a little ‘more) to lose 15 pounds.
Healthy Weight Loss
In order to lose weight in a way that is healthy and permanent, it is recommended that you only lose 1 or 2 pounds a week. The only exception to this rule is if you are extremely obese and have a great deal of weight to lose. In this situation, it is acceptable to lose more weight in the weeks initials of your system of weight loss. While the thought of losing weight, this plan may make you impatient or frustrated, think how much more annoying, it would quickly lose weight, get instant gratification, and then have the weight come back.
Now that you know how much weight you should lose a week, you can see that will realistically take around 2 to 4 months to lose 15 pounds. This estimate assumes that you stick to your weight loss plan and not fall prey to temptations. Think in this way: one pound is equal to 3500 calories. Therefore, if you want to lose a pound a week, you burn 500 more calories you ingest each day. If your goal is to lose 2 pounds a week, you must burn 1000 calories a day.
Dangers of losing weight too quickly
Sure, you can lose 15 pounds in a few weeks. However, to do so, you must engage in a dangerous fashion diet or restrict calories. The extra pounds come off quickly, but the weight is being lost is simply water weight. In this way puts you at risk for dehydration, and since the weight is being lost, not from fat, the pounds will be right back as soon as you resume normal eating habits.
If you follow a fad diet in an amount of time and continue to lose weight fast, your body may suffer the following consequences:
- Malnutrition
- Irritability and mood swings
- Constipation
- Hair Loss
- Loss of the menstrual cycle
- Hormonal imbalances and depression
And do not think you can find a quick fix every time you want to lose a few pounds. Your body hates it when you yo-yo dieting, and you will suffer the consequences.
Losing weight the right way
You’ve heard it before and I continue to hear from you-the only effective way to lose weight and keep it off for healthy eating and consistent exercise … and continue to do so for the rest of your life. Starvation diets and quick fixes do not work! Your body loves the food and needs at least 1200 calories a day to function properly. When you incorporate a healthy diet with exercise, you’ll hit the jackpot!
