Amount of wieght that is safe to lose i one month

ramjaren42066
ramjaren42066 Posts: 3
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Im sitting at a good 210 lbs right now, but im looking to cut back again. How safe would it be to attempt to lose 20 lbs in a month. Im seeing very conflicting arguments on this point. Some people say its perfectly fine others say its typically the worst thing you can do. I want a few more opinions on this. Btw this is because i found out tere is a bodybuilding comp coming up in two months, so i want to hit 4-7% bodyfat

Replies

  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    20lb's in a month?


    NOPE
  • DemoraFairy
    DemoraFairy Posts: 1,806 Member
    Who on Earth is saying that 5lbs/week is totally fine!? 2lbs/week should be a maximum, and that's only if you're at least 50lbs overweight. You might lose more in the first month of a diet as you'll probably lose more water weight in the first week, but it still won't be 20lbs in a month.
  • rosnigetsfit
    rosnigetsfit Posts: 569 Member
    edited April 2015
    You can do the math. 20lbs in a month = 5lbs per week loss and 3500 cal = 1lb. In a week you need to have a deficit of 17500cal(3500x5). How is that even possible? To answer your question, it is not safe to lose 20lbs in a month. And how on earth are you gonna lose 20lbs in a month? 0.5-2lb per week is safe and achievable.
  • ramjaren42066
    ramjaren42066 Posts: 3
    My day consists of two cardio workouts right now. an hour and a half for both sessions typically burning (with error) around 2200-2700 calories a day plus a (very unhealthy but high protein diet) of around 900-1200 calories. Tuna and talapia are almost my sole sources of food. Im not going to do the math right now but i could guess that comes out to somewhere between12 and 15 lbs
  • rosnigetsfit
    rosnigetsfit Posts: 569 Member
    edited April 2015
    2 cardio workouts? You are totally over doing your workout. Why in a rush?
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    most bodybuilders spend months, if not years preparing for their competition, and then months cutting safely to preserve as much muscle as possible.
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    Depends on how much body fat you have. If you have enough body fat to support it then it is possible but if you are only 20 pounds away from 7% then I doubt this is the case. You would have to do the math. To get to 7% you should be adjusting your deficit within a fairly tight range.
    Sounds to me like you need to do some reserch.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,053 Member
    1% of your body weight a week.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • ramjaren42066
    ramjaren42066 Posts: 3
    Ill probably start alot mpre research on it today an find out my projected weight loss. Ill probably ask alot more of my actual professional bodybuilding friends for more advice too. Thanks alot all
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  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Isn't the point of those events to keep your muscle? Because you're probably burning your muscle like crazy eating so little and over-exercising that way.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    ramjaren42066 wrote: »
    Im sitting at a good 210 lbs right now, but im looking to cut back again. How safe would it be to attempt to lose 20 lbs in a month. Im seeing very conflicting arguments on this point. Some people say its perfectly fine others say its typically the worst thing you can do. I want a few more opinions on this. Btw this is because i found out tere is a bodybuilding comp coming up in two months, so i want to hit 4-7% bodyfat

    No, please don't do that. If you lose that fast, you will most likely lose lots of muscle mass because you can't build muscle at a deficit unless you are obese or you are a newbie to weight lifting. I don't you're either, are you?

    How tall are you? 210 for a guy does not really seem that overweight, depending on your muscle mass. If you want to lose 20 lbs, I'd say aim for a .5 pound loss per week.

  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    ramjaren42066 wrote: »
    My day consists of two cardio workouts right now. an hour and a half for both sessions typically burning (with error) around 2200-2700 calories a day plus a (very unhealthy but high protein diet) of around 900-1200 calories. Tuna and talapia are almost my sole sources of food. Im not going to do the math right now but i could guess that comes out to somewhere between12 and 15 lbs

    If that is you now in your photo, you look pretty trim already. I encourage you to slow down and smell the roses, and stop over-exercising. You will do more harm than good.
  • blookabaugh
    blookabaugh Posts: 73 Member
    I agree with others - 1/2#to a maximum of 2# per week is more attainable and healthier. Twenty pounds is extreme for one month. When you start eating more calories after you body is used to less, I believe you will gain.
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    ramjaren42066 wrote: »
    Ill probably start alot mpre research on it today an find out my projected weight loss. Ill probably ask alot more of my actual professional bodybuilding friends for more advice too. Thanks alot all

    MFP will give you guidelines that are considered safe for general use
    Bodybuilder sites can be fraught with bro science.
    Look for advise from a source with a reputable background. It is available. A 7% goal takes some planning and reserch to exacute effectively.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    Capt_Apollo wrote: »
    most bodybuilders
    50246-soooo-youre-telling-me-theres-P7Ga.jpeg



    lulz
  • sadmaker
    sadmaker Posts: 19 Member
    Burning 2200-2700 and eating 900-1200? I would stop doing that.
This discussion has been closed.

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