Getting great results with simple calorie cutting – how long can I expect it to last?

Asked by: Ali Pehrson

How long does cutting diet last?

A cutting diet lasts 2–4 months, depending on how lean you are before dieting, and is normally timed around bodybuilding competitions, athletic events, or occasions like holidays ( 4 ). A cutting diet aims to get you as lean as possible while maintaining muscle mass.

How long does a calorie deficit take to work?

When you eat fewer calories than your body needs, your body will burn fat to make up the difference — and gradually, you’ll lose weight. One pound of body fat equals about 3,500 calories. So, over seven days, a deficit of 500 to 1,000 calories a day yields a weight loss of about 1 to 2 pounds a week.

How fast do you lose weight while cutting?

A good aiming point for the cutting phase is to lose 0.75% of body weight per week. Any more and you may actually be losing too much weight, too fast, which can result in losing both muscle and fat.

How long does it take to see progress when cutting?

Doing cardio and eating less for a week just isn’t going to do it. Since cutting usually takes 2 to 4 months, you’re going to want to plan your cutting phase appropriately. Most serious athletes will start cutting around summer so that they have the perfect summer body.

Why am I not losing weight in a calorie deficit and working out?

One of the main reasons why burning calories through exercise may still not result in weight loss is due to overexertion, or inflammation of your body. If you exercise too hard on a daily basis, there is an excess of inflammation in your body. All the added up inflammation makes you gain more weight than lose.

Is a 4 week cut enough?

How Long Should You Mini-Cut? As a rule of thumb, it will need at least 2 weeks to lose enough fat to be worthwhile. At the other end of the spectrum, dieting for more than 6 weeks will start to increase your risk of muscle loss. So, 2-6 weeks is the range for mini-cuts.

Is a month long enough for a cut?

For 10 pounds or less, start cutting 2-3 months ahead. For 20 pounds or more, start cutting 4-5 months ahead. Add 1-2 weeks for any major foreseeable obstacles. If such extended time is not on your side, I recommend at minimum six weeks for any cutting program.

How do I maintain muscle while cutting?

If you don't want to look soft by the end of your cut because you've lost muscle mass then make sure you keep weight lifting in your routine.