How to Work Out Your Calorie Deficit (Without Starving Yourself)

How Fast Can You Lose Weight? A Realistic Timeline

"10 kg in 4 weeks" sells well – and almost always ends in a rebound. A realistic, lasting pace is about 0.5–1 % of your body weight per week. Here is what that means in kilos and months.

Written by Velion Physique. I have done nutrition coaching since 2019, alongside working as a personal trainer with five trainer licences.

The Calorie Deficit Handbook: Find Your Number, Keep the Muscle

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The Calorie Deficit Handbook: Find Your Number, Keep the Muscle

Work out your maintenance calories, set a deficit you can sustain, and keep your muscle while losing fat. Instant PDF download. · £12.00

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The realistic pace

Body weight Per week (0.5–1 %) In 3 months
65 kg 0.3–0.65 kg about 4–7 kg
80 kg 0.4–0.8 kg about 5–9 kg
100 kg 0.5–1 kg about 6–11 kg

The ranges assume a steady deficit; progress often slows over time.

Why the first week looks faster

In the first days you lose water and stored carbohydrate (glycogen) as well as fat. 1–2 kg in week one is normal and not all fat. After that the pace settles.

The maths behind it

One kilo of body fat stores roughly 7,000–7,700 kcal. A daily deficit of 500 kcal adds up to about 3,500 kcal per week – around half a kilo of fat. Find your starting number: how many calories you need.

Your calorie target for fat loss: the free fitness check calculates it with your protein and macros in 60 seconds.

Why slower usually ends better

  • More of the loss comes from fat, less from muscle – see lose weight without losing muscle.
  • Less hunger and fewer binges.
  • Habits that you can keep after the diet.

When the scale stops moving

  • Check portions and liquid calories for a week.
  • Use weekly averages – daily weight jumps by 1–2 kg with water and salt.
  • Add daily steps before cutting calories further.

A complete plan: Fat Loss Nutrition System · Calorie Deficit Handbook.

General information, not medical advice. Rapid weight loss should only happen under medical supervision. With medical conditions or a history of eating disorders, talk to a doctor first.

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Adjustable dumbbells, a pull-up bar and a set of bands cover most of what a gym offers.

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