Question: How long does it take for calorie deficits to "take place"

CoffeeandCats2

Hi! I am new to this weight loss journey so please bear with my questions. If you create a calorie deficit how long does it take for that to be converted into losing fat?

Nikion901

Read this article from MFP Nutrition 101 - Calories ....
https://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1599931-nutrition-101-calories

However ... to give you a fast answer, it depends on the deficit, and it is cummulative.

Sued0nim

It's not linear

First couple of weeks of a new diet you could lose anything up to 10lbs.. Cos less food in digestive system, water weight loss etc ...or maybe not

Over time you could find you are the type that loses nothing for 3 weeks then has a big old whoosh

So for a time scale go in rolling 6-8 weeks ...eg to get how much you are losing weekly, average out the previous 6-8 weeks ..this should account for water weight fluctuations due to change up in exercise, hormones, carbs/sodium fluctuations / cycle of the moon / hydration etc etc etc

Machka9

And if you are on a 500 cal/day deficit, in theory, you could lose 1 lb per week. But as mentioned above, it's rarely quite that straightforward.