Contents
How long does it take to lose 42 pounds?
It takes about 5.25 – 10.5 months to lose 42 pounds. This is a safe amount of time to lose 42 pounds for most people. It’s also what CDC (center for disease control and prevention) recommends for healthy weight loss.
With a daily calorie deficit of 500, expect to lose 42 pounds in 10.5 months. Double it to a daily calorie deficit of 1000 to lose 42 pounds in 5.25 months.
However, keep in mind that these numbers can vary from person to person. Several other factors influence how fast you lose weight. These include factors such as; age, weight, gender, activity levels, and weight.
Due to these factors, some people might take longer or faster to lose 42 pounds. A person who stays active and exercises daily, for example, will not lose 42 pounds at the same rate as another with a sedentary lifestyle.
Cut your daily calories.
You have to eat less than what your body burns to lose 42 pounds. A moderate calorie reduction of at least 500 is what most experts recommend. You can achieve this by practicing portion control and eliminating empty calories from your diet.
Practice portion control at mealtimes to help you eat less. Use smaller plates or bowls when serving your food. This way, you only eat as much as you need. Or better yet, use the MyPlate method. Divide your plate into four equal sections for veggies, protein, carbs, or fruit.
Empty calories are foods high in calories with little nutrition. These include foods such as; ice cream, chips, donuts, baked treats, or fried foods.
Sugary foods such as; soda, energy drinks, store-bought coffee, and fruit concentrates are just as bad. A cup of Starbucks Peppermint mocha contains a whopping 330 calories. Have several in a day, and that’s a lot of extra calories in your diet.
Avoid these foods when trying to lose weight or find healthier alternatives. Make your coffee at home or drink water to stay energized instead.
Try intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting is an eating approach that cycles between periods of prolonged fasting and a short eating window. With this approach, the focus isn’t on what you eat but rather on when you eat.
For example, with the 16/8 fasting diet, you fast for 16-hours every day and eat your meals within the 8-hour window. This works well for weight loss by restricting your eating window. As a result, you end up eating fewer calories.
There are different intermittent fasting schedules to choose from. Alternate-day fasting and OMAD (one meal a day) are the most effective for weight loss. With OMAD, you fast for 23-hours and have only 1-hour to eat all your meals.
Exercise to burn extra calories.
Exercising can help you burn extra calories and boost weight loss. It is recommended that healthy adults spend at least 200 minutes (more than 3-hours) exercising weekly. A combination of cardio and strength training is ideal.
Cardio exercises such as swimming, running, or rowing burn calories fast. With weight training, you’re working against a force to build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.
Start slow and focus on workouts you enjoy doing. The good thing about exercising is that the more you weigh, the more calories you burn. Your goal should be to choose a workout you can stick with long-term. If you hate exercising alone, consider sports such as basketball or volleyball.
If you hate exercising outdoor, invest in quality at-home workout equipment.
How long does it take to lose 42 pounds? Conclusion
Generally, it takes about 5.25 – 10.5 months to lose 42 pounds. This is a safe and healthy amount of time to lose 42 pounds for most people.