How Much Weight in Kilograms Should You Aim to Lose Per Week While Dieting?

Overview

Quick Weight Loss Leads to Loss of Muscle

The Mayo Clinic states, "It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat." Any weight loss more than 1 kilogram a week leads to rapid loss of the body's water stores and muscle.

Slow, Steady Weight Loss Leads to Fat Loss

Weight loss that occurs slowly helps to preserve the body's muscle stores. Muscle burns calories merely by existing and will boost metabolism thereby leading to more fat loss. The Mayo Clinic recommends that weight only be lost at the rate of 1 kg a week.

Bottom Line

Patient UK, a site dedicated to providing health care advice from qualified professionals, states, "It is best not to lose weight too fast. If you lose more than a kilogram per week, you may lose muscle tissue rather than fat. It is best to lose an average of ½-1 kg per week."

References

• Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss
• The Diet Channel: Successful Weight Loss--Top 10 Tips on What Works and Why
• Patient UK: Weight Reduction--How to Lose Weight