We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Can you lose 10% body fat in 3-4 months?

kassiebby1124
kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
edited February 21 in Health and Weight Loss
General question my friend asked me that I don't know how to answer:

Can she lose 10% body fat from now until the 26th of August? So like 3-4 months? She lifts 3x a week and is beginning Starting Strength in addition to rugby practice twice a week for 2 hours (she's my teammate). She is sitting at around 30% body fat and wanted to get to 20-ish by the end of the summer. Does that sound possible?

Replies

  • kassiebby1124
    kassiebby1124 Posts: 927 Member
    Bump.
  • jec285
    jec285 Posts: 145 Member
    Doesn't sound very likely. 40 -> 30 would be a lot easier than 30 -> 20, and even then it would still be extremely difficult/nearly impossible.
  • hyg99
    hyg99 Posts: 354 Member
    I've dropped 20% in just over 4 months. 41 pounds of goal of 63 so I would say I need to lose a few pounds over 30% in total. My goal is1-2 lbs a week currently, I average just slightly more than 2a week.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Is it possible, I guess. Is it likely, no. Diet would be key in doing it. You would need a fairly aggressive caloric deficit that was adhered to with absolute consistency. Because the deficit would be so strict adherence would be difficult. Plus that steep of a deficit would cause her training to suffer. I think a far better approach would be for her to use a moderate caloric deficit and try to lose 1-2 lbs a week while focusing on her strength.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    I've dropped 20% in just over 4 months. 41 pounds of goal of 63 so I would say I need to lose a few pounds over 30% in total. My goal is1-2 lbs a week currently, I average just slightly more than 2a week.
    How much was your starting weight? What do you weigh now?
  • hyg99
    hyg99 Posts: 354 Member
    203lbs, now 162.

    Have always eaten my calories and I don't do hungry. I exercise 5-6x a week and I have allowed myself treats daily.
  • jec285
    jec285 Posts: 145 Member
    Just for the record hyg99, you are aware OP said body fat and not body weight, correct?

    203 -> 162 = 20% body weight lost

    You didn't lose 100% fat.
  • hyg99
    hyg99 Posts: 354 Member
    Oops no. Misread sorry.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Yeah, that's why I asked what your weights were....
  • hyg99
    hyg99 Posts: 354 Member
    Doh sorry x
  • Rogiefreida
    Rogiefreida Posts: 567 Member
    General question my friend asked me that I don't know how to answer:

    Can she lose 10% body fat from now until the 26th of August? So like 3-4 months? She lifts 3x a week and is beginning Starting Strength in addition to rugby practice twice a week for 2 hours (she's my teammate). She is sitting at around 30% body fat and wanted to get to 20-ish by the end of the summer. Does that sound possible?

    I've gone the slow and steady route on losing body fat and it's taken me 5 months to go from 27% to 23% bf. The key will fall in her diet and tracking religiously to make sure she's eating at a moderate deficit (I lose consistently when I do this, but I take breaks here and there since my body gets really tired of being in a deficit for long periods of time). It sounds like a very ambitious goal, but she can make significant progress if she keeps the dietary measures in check since it sounds like she's very active.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Can she lose 10% body fat from now until the 26th of August? So like 3-4 months? She lifts 3x a week and is beginning Starting Strength in addition to rugby practice twice a week for 2 hours (she's my teammate). She is sitting at around 30% body fat and wanted to get to 20-ish by the end of the summer. Does that sound possible?

    Guess at current weight - 160 lbs. 112 lbs FFM, 48 lbs fat.

    At 20% say 110 lbs FFM = 137.5 lbs total, 27.5 lbs fat.

    14% of body weight loss, 20.5 lbs of fat. 1.6 lbs/week weight loss. Pushing it as 20% is fairly lean for a woman.
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    im pretty sure i dropped around 10% in my first 4 months (275>225) but i had a really high bf% to start. 30%>20% for a girl is gonna be tough since 20% is around the "ideal" range for women
This discussion has been closed.