{"id":6572,"date":"2020-07-03T17:06:18","date_gmt":"2020-07-03T17:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=6572"},"modified":"2025-07-11T19:12:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:12:57","slug":"how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds\" >How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_as_a_Woman\" >How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds as a Woman?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_as_a_Man\" >How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds as a Man?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#Weight_Loss_And_Size\" >Weight Loss And Size<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#Exercise_And_Weight_Loss\" >Exercise And Weight Loss<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_on_the_Keto_Diet\" >How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds on the Keto Diet?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_If_I_Dont_Eat\" >How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds If I Don\u2019t Eat?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_quickly_can_you_lose_40_lbs\" >How quickly can you lose 40 lbs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#Can_I_lose_40_pounds_in_3_months\" >Can I lose 40 pounds in 3 months?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#How_much_should_I_walk_to_lose_40_pounds\" >How much should I walk to lose 40 pounds?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#Is_40_lbs_of_weight_loss_noticeable\" >Is 40 lbs of weight loss noticeable?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#What_does_losing_40_pounds_do_to_your_body\" >What does losing 40 pounds do to your body?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today\u2019s world of false advertising, there are many ways in which diets and exercise routines are marketed that may make losing 40 pounds appear like a magical quick fix. However, this couldn\u2019t be further away from the truth. For many of us, losing weight is the ultimate goal, but we\u2019re not essentially equipped with the knowledge of how to do it. When it comes to losing a significant amount like 40 pounds, chances are it will take time, patience, and effort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;a href=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds&quot;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;video autoplay=&quot;autoplay&quot; loop=&quot;loop&quot; muted=&quot;muted&quot; playsinline=&quot;playsinline&quot; width=&quot;777&quot;&gt;&lt;source src=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4&quot;&quot; type=&quot;video\/mp4&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/video&gt;&lt;\/a&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\" data-sheets-formula=\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In our article, we tackle the big questions regarding shedding those pesky pounds. From exercise routines to follow and diets to consider and the possible challenges and obstacles you may face, we decode how long it takes to lose 40 pounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds\"><\/span><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you need to grasp is the basics: how do fat pounds get stored in your body, and then, with your dedicated efforts, will it possibly go away? The answer is both basic and complex: <\/span><b>you need to reduce your energy intake.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is considered healthy to lose 1-2 pounds of body weight per week. Extreme restrictive fad diets, juice cleanses, and other regimes implying extreme calorie restriction are considered to be damaging to your health. They lack essential nutrients and typically, you\u2019ll gain all your lost weight back after you cease with this type of diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s take a look at the math that\u2019s involved in this process:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthy weight loss is estimated to be 1-2 pounds per week<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One pound of fat is approximately 3,500 calories<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get rid of 1 pound per week you theoretically need to cut your calorie intake by 500 calories a day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To shed 2 pounds you would need to cut it by 1,000 calories<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By losing 2 pounds per week, it will take you approximately 5 months to lose 40 pounds, and by losing 1 pound per week, it will take closer to 10 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These blanket estimations are useful, but weight loss is almost always more complicated than a mathematical equation. A lot of factors can influence how quickly you lose weight and which strategies work best for you. The first is your sex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-61681 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1-3-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1-3-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1-3-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1-3-1.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1-3-1-1636x920.png 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_as_a_Woman\"><\/span><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds as a Woman?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things get more complicated when it comes to how many calories you can burn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women generally expend approximately 1,600 to 2,100 calories per day. For many women, cutting 1,000 calories puts them at a daily intake of below 1,200 calories, which doesn\u2019t provide enough in terms of essential micro- and <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/4-macronutrients\/\">macronutrients<\/a>, and can slow down their metabolism instead of boosting it. Not eating enough calories may also cause your body to burn lean muscle mass, especially if you shy away from workouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you lose muscle, which requires more energy for your body to sustain compared to fat, your metabolism drops further and weight loss becomes even more difficult. For most people, consuming a daily regimen of only 1,200 to 1,400 calories constitutes a very low intake that will likely lead to weight loss, but this may be detrimental to your body. So, you might aim to lose closer to 1 pound per week, and\/or use another very helpful option \u2013 you should start working out to burn some extra calories. Creating a calorie deficit means eating fewer calories than you burn, and you can influence both sides of the equation by eating fewer calories and increasing your physical activity to burn more calories.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking for a way to <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\">break the vicious cycle of weight loss <\/a> and tone up all the jiggly parts? Watch the extra pounds fly off and your muscles firm up with the BetterMe app!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_as_a_Man\"><\/span><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds as a Man?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Men may lose closer to 2 pounds per week by eating approximately 1,600 to 1,900 calories per day, but the rate of weight loss also depends on their size and activity level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Weight_Loss_And_Size\"><\/span><b>Weight Loss And Size<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more you weigh at the beginning, the faster you\u2019ll probably see results, perhaps partially due to water weight. However, when you\u2019re moving further toward your goal, you may see that you can\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/lose-2-pounds-a-week\/\">lose 2 pounds a week<\/a> with the calorie intake and workout regime you were following earlier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is because it takes fewer calories to run your metabolic engine, so greater calorie cuts and more exercise are required to maintain the 2-pound-per-week weight-loss rate. For example, you may achieve results with a 1,900-calorie plan and 45 minutes of exercise per day for the first month or two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At some point, your weight loss will start to stall and you\u2019ll understand you\u2019ve reached a plateau. <\/span><b>Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the phase you enter when you\u2019ve got a little bit carried away with creating an energy deficit and your body decreases the amount of work (metabolism) it\u2019s doing to preserve energy, thereby sabotaging your fat loss efforts. You could be eating the same way you were in the fat loss phase, but your body just says, \u201cEnough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To lose more weight, you\u2019ll need to increase your physical activity, decrease the calories you eat, or both. Using the same approach that worked initially may maintain your weight loss, but it may not lead to more weight reduction. Needless to say, this plateau can increase the time it takes to lose 40 pounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-61808 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Bodyweight-Vs-Weights_-Which-One-Caters-To-Your-Fitness-Goals_-1024x576.png\" alt=\"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Bodyweight-Vs-Weights_-Which-One-Caters-To-Your-Fitness-Goals_.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Bodyweight-Vs-Weights_-Which-One-Caters-To-Your-Fitness-Goals_-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Bodyweight-Vs-Weights_-Which-One-Caters-To-Your-Fitness-Goals_.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Bodyweight-Vs-Weights_-Which-One-Caters-To-Your-Fitness-Goals_-1636x920.png 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\">\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exercise_And_Weight_Loss\"><\/span><b>Exercise And Weight Loss<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercising is essential for successful weight loss. It helps build and maintain muscle mass and it helps you achieve your daily calorie burn goal without unhealthy calorie restrictions in your diet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, swimming burns between 500 to 800 calories per hour, similar numbers go to jogging, tennis, or football. That means you\u2019ll be able to cover a significant part of your calorie-burning task with an hour of exercise per day. Moving more throughout your day outside of exercising can also help burn extra calories and has important health benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, physical activity provides many health improvements on its own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise is associated with the following benefits:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It improves your mood and decreases feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23630504\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26917992\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). It produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can increase brain sensitivity for the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, and lower your risk of early death by up to 30% (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/exercise\/exercise-health-benefits\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It increases your metabolic rate as opposed to calorie restriction, which can eventually slow it down (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27190483\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies have suggested that combining aerobic exercise with resistance training can maximize fat loss and muscle mass maintenance, which are essential for keeping weight off.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It plays a huge role in strengthening your muscles and bones (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11255140\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise is indispensable for weight loss and will help you break the plateau and shed 40 pounds in 5-10 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><strong>Read more: <\/strong><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/weight-loss-shakes\/\"><i>The Complete Guide to Weight Loss Shakes With the Ultimate Secrets to Homemade Shakes or Branded Powders<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_on_the_Keto_Diet\"><\/span><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds on the Keto Diet?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After your first week of following the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/keto-diet-for-vegetarians\/\">keto diet<\/a>, you\u2019ll most likely see a significant drop in your weight. On a regular diet with a calorie deficit and regular exercise regime, most people can expect to lose 1 to 2 lbs a week. However, those following the keto diet typically see a drop of anywhere from 2 to 10 pounds. It\u2019s important to understand that this is mostly water weight because keto severely restricts carbs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pace will slow down eventually and you can expect 4 to 10 pounds a month of burned fat while sticking to keto, which is similar to other weight loss diets. This means you can largely expect to lose 40 pounds in the same 5-10 months as on average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Will_It_Take_Me_to_Lose_40_Pounds_If_I_Dont_Eat\"><\/span><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds If I Don\u2019t Eat?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, fad diets and juice cleanses are incredibly harmful to your health. The same goes for long-term fasting (don\u2019t mistake it for <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/intermittent-fasting-for-menopause\/\">intermittent fasting<\/a>, which is a safe weigh loss option for some people).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fasting for a few days probably won&#8217;t hurt most people who are healthy, as long as they don&#8217;t get dehydrated. However, fasting for long periods is dangerous for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from food to stay healthy. If you don&#8217;t eat enough, you can experience symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness as a result of orthostatic hypertension (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4684131\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), constipation, dehydration, and not being able to tolerate cold temperatures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fasting for too long can be life-threatening. You may also lose the wrong type of weight, i.e. muscle mass, water, and stored glycogen, and you can get dehydrated (yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/water-diet-benefits\/\">water fasting<\/a> can make you dehydrated as 30% of daily water intake comes from food) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5084017\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). In addition, fasting, especially long-term, may worsen certain medical conditions such as gout, diabetes, and eating disorders (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2850570\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). You should always talk to your doctor before you attempt any type of fasting regime, even intermittent fasting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you tend to let yourself off the hook, raise the white flag when things get tougher than you expected, send yourself on an unconscious binge-eating trip \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\">BetterMe app is here to help you <\/a> leave all of these sabotaging habits in the past!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-30039 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/24.png\" alt=\"how long will it take me to lose 40 pounds\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><b>FAQs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_quickly_can_you_lose_40_lbs\"><\/span><strong>How quickly can you lose 40 lbs?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The speed at which you can lose 40 pounds depends on various factors, including your:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current weight\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metabolic rate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diet\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical activity level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic factors\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthy and sustainable rate of weight loss is typically 1-2 pounds per week. Therefore, losing 40 pounds could take approximately 20-40 weeks or 5-10 months. Rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and other health issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients, regular physical activity, and lifestyle changes for creating a sustainable weight loss plan. Implementing extreme restrictions such as 600-calorie diet plans and other fad diets are not recommended as they can harm your metabolism and overall health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gradual weight loss is associated with better maintenance in the long term and fewer health risks. Following a holistic, well-rounded approach that includes dietary adjustments, exercise, and associated changes can enhance the likelihood of achieving and maintaining weight loss (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/educational\/lose_wt\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_lose_40_pounds_in_3_months\"><\/span><strong>Can I lose 40 pounds in 3 months?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Losing 40 pounds in 3 months requires an incredibly aggressive approach, which may not be safe or sustainable. This equates to a weight loss of approximately 3.3 pounds per week, which is significantly higher than the recommended 1-2 pounds per week. Achieving this would require a substantial caloric deficit, which can only be achieved through incredibly strict diet control and intensive exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, such rapid weight loss can increase the risk of muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, gallstones, and metabolic issues (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/261358425_The_Potential_Dangers_of_Using_Rapid_Weight_Loss_Techniques\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). To enjoy long-term success, you must proceed with gradual weight loss, combined with healthy eating, regular physical activity, and lifestyle changes. It&#8217;s also important to set realistic goals and recognize that weight loss isn\u2019t a one-step process. Consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice can ensure a safer and more effective weight loss strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_should_I_walk_to_lose_40_pounds\"><\/span><strong>How much should I walk to lose 40 pounds?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walking is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1728869X23000266\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The amount of walking that is needed to burn 40 pounds depends on your pace, duration, and dietary habits. On average, walking at a brisk pace burns approximately 300-400 calories per hour. Creating a caloric deficit of 500-1,000 calories per day is necessary to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Therefore, incorporating 1-2 hours of brisk walking daily, combined with a balanced diet, can contribute significantly to weight loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistency is key, and combining walking with other forms of exercise can only make you see results quicker. In addition, adjusting your walking routine to include intervals of higher intensity can help increase calorie burn. It&#8217;s also beneficial to incorporate strength training exercises to preserve muscle mass during weight loss (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5421125\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_40_lbs_of_weight_loss_noticeable\"><\/span><strong>Is 40 lbs of weight loss noticeable?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A weight loss of 40 pounds is generally noticeable on most people. This amount of weight loss can result in significant changes in body composition, clothing size, and overall appearance. The visibility of weight loss can be influenced by factors such as body composition, fat distribution, and muscle mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies suggest that even a 5-10% reduction in body weight can lead to improved health markers and physical appearance (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK221839\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Noticeable changes can include a slimmer face, reduced waistline, and more defined muscle tone. In addition to aesthetic changes, the health benefits of such weight loss are profound, including reduced risk factors for various chronic diseases and improved metabolic health.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_losing_40_pounds_do_to_your_body\"><\/span><strong>What does losing 40 pounds do to your body?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Losing 40 pounds can have profound positive effects on your body. As previously mentioned, weight loss has the following benefits on overall health:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing joint pain, improving mobility, and increasing energy levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving mood and self-esteem and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s equally important to lose weight gradually and healthily to ensure these benefits and avoid negative health impacts. A comprehensive approach to weight loss, including dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral modifications, is most effective for achieving long-term success. <\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;a href=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds&quot;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;video autoplay=&quot;autoplay&quot; loop=&quot;loop&quot; muted=&quot;muted&quot; playsinline=&quot;playsinline&quot; width=&quot;777&quot;&gt;&lt;source src=&quot;&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-1.mp4&quot;&quot; type=&quot;video\/mp4&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/video&gt;&lt;\/a&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\" data-sheets-formula=\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-1.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To summarize, it can take 5-10 months on average for you to lose 40 pounds, as long as you follow a nutritious diet, work out regularly, keep your fluid intake high (especially when you work out), and maintain a balanced sleep cycle. With patience and dedication, you\u2019ll surely nail it. It\u2019s important to keep in mind that everybody is different and therefore results may vary according to the individual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today\u2019s world of false advertising, there are many ways in which diets and exercise routines are marketed that may make losing 40 pounds appear like a magical quick fix. However, this couldn\u2019t be further away from the truth. For many of us, losing weight is the ultimate goal, but we\u2019re not essentially equipped with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":79713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"coauthors":[45],"class_list":["post-6572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-weight-loss-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u2605 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LOSE 40 POUNDS \u27a4? All the nuances of long-term weight loss are explained in this one article.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u2605 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LOSE 40 POUNDS \u27a4? All the nuances of long-term weight loss are explained in this one article.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-11T19:12:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth-1024x640.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/341f821b83eff34cc2c28cde92c00b5c\"},\"headline\":\"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-11T19:12:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/\"},\"wordCount\":1700,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Weight Loss Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In today\u2019s world of false advertising, there are many ways in which diets and exercise routines are marketed that may make losing 40 pounds appear like a magical quick fix. However, this couldn\u2019t be further away from the truth. For many of us, losing weight is the ultimate goal, but we\u2019re not essentially equipped with the knowledge of how to do it. When it comes to losing a significant amount like 40 pounds, chances are it will take time, patience, and effort.\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span data-sheets-root=\\\"1\\\" data-sheets-value=\\\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;[video-shortcode link=\\\\&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\\\\&quot; mp4=\\\\&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\\\\&quot;]&quot;}\\\" data-sheets-userformat=\\\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\\\" data-sheets-formula=\\\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\\\"><\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In our article, we tackle the big questions regarding shedding those pesky pounds. From exercise routines to follow and diets to consider and the possible challenges and obstacles you may face, we decode how long it takes to lose 40 pounds.\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds?<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The first thing you need to grasp is the basics: how do fat pounds get stored in your body, and then, with your dedicated efforts, will it possibly go away? The answer is both basic and complex: <\/span><b>you need to reduce your energy intake.\u00a0<\/b>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It is considered healthy to lose 1-2 pounds of body weight per week. Extreme restrictive fad diets, juice cleanses, and other regimes implying extreme calorie restriction are considered to be damaging to  ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/\",\"name\":\"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-11T19:12:57+00:00\",\"description\":\"\u2605 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LOSE 40 POUNDS \u27a4? All the nuances of long-term weight loss are explained in this one article.\u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Weight Loss\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/weight-loss\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Weight Loss Tips\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/weight-loss\/weight-loss-tips\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/\",\"name\":\"BetterMe Blog\",\"description\":\"Health &amp; Fitness\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\",\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"alternateName\":\"Betterme Limited\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"BetterMe\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/betterme\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/betterme\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/betterme-apps\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bettermetips\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0svgcjc3jSgcryqo83spPQ\",\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@betterme.health.coaching\",\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/betterme-health-coaching\/id1264546236\",\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.gen.workoutme&amp;amp;amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=US\",\"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q114895798\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/341f821b83eff34cc2c28cde92c00b5c\",\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/f8c457bbfb019eee5091c2120aabff05\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png\",\"caption\":\"BetterMe\"},\"sameAs\":[\"#\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/author\/bttrm-admin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth - BetterMe","description":"\u2605 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LOSE 40 POUNDS \u27a4? All the nuances of long-term weight loss are explained in this one article.\u00a0","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"nofollow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth","og_description":"\u2605 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LOSE 40 POUNDS \u27a4? All the nuances of long-term weight loss are explained in this one article.\u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2025-07-11T19:12:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":640,"url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth-1024x640.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"BetterMe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"BetterMe","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/341f821b83eff34cc2c28cde92c00b5c"},"headline":"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth","dateModified":"2025-07-11T19:12:57+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/"},"wordCount":1700,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png","articleSection":["Weight Loss Tips"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today\u2019s world of false advertising, there are many ways in which diets and exercise routines are marketed that may make losing 40 pounds appear like a magical quick fix. However, this couldn\u2019t be further away from the truth. For many of us, losing weight is the ultimate goal, but we\u2019re not essentially equipped with the knowledge of how to do it. When it comes to losing a significant amount like 40 pounds, chances are it will take time, patience, and effort.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;[video-shortcode link=\\&quot;https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2228&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=how_long_will_it_take_me_to_lose_40_pounds\\&quot; mp4=\\&quot;https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\\&quot;]&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:256,&quot;11&quot;:3}\" data-sheets-formula=\"=replace(R[-12]C[0],SEARCH(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;,R[-12]C[0]),LEN(&quot;LINK TO QUIZ&quot;),R8C[0])\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In our article, we tackle the big questions regarding shedding those pesky pounds. From exercise routines to follow and diets to consider and the possible challenges and obstacles you may face, we decode how long it takes to lose 40 pounds.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you need to grasp is the basics: how do fat pounds get stored in your body, and then, with your dedicated efforts, will it possibly go away? The answer is both basic and complex: <\/span><b>you need to reduce your energy intake.\u00a0<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is considered healthy to lose 1-2 pounds of body weight per week. Extreme restrictive fad diets, juice cleanses, and other regimes implying extreme calorie restriction are considered to be damaging to  ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/","url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/","name":"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png","dateModified":"2025-07-11T19:12:57+00:00","description":"\u2605 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LOSE 40 POUNDS \u27a4? All the nuances of long-term weight loss are explained in this one article.\u00a0","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/How-Long-Will-It-Take-Me-to-Lose-40-Pounds_-The-Hard-Hitting-Truth.png","width":1920,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/how-long-will-it-take-me-to-lose-40-pounds\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Weight Loss","item":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/weight-loss\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Weight Loss Tips","item":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/weight-loss\/weight-loss-tips\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"How Long Will It Take Me to Lose 40 Pounds: The Hard-Hitting Truth"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/","name":"BetterMe Blog","description":"Health &amp; Fitness","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization","name":"BetterMe","alternateName":"Betterme Limited","url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BetterMe.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"BetterMe"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","https:\/\/x.com\/betterme","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/betterme\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/betterme-apps","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bettermetips\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC0svgcjc3jSgcryqo83spPQ","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@betterme.health.coaching","https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/betterme-health-coaching\/id1264546236","https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.gen.workoutme&amp;amp;amp;amp;hl=en_US&amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=US","https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q114895798"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/341f821b83eff34cc2c28cde92c00b5c","name":"BetterMe","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/f8c457bbfb019eee5091c2120aabff05","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-6-150x150.png","caption":"BetterMe"},"sameAs":["#"],"url":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/author\/bttrm-admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79715,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6572\/revisions\/79715"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6572"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stage.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=6572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}