Weight loss calculator by date
Have a date in mind? See the weekly pace it would take, then compare it with a slower timeline.
How this works, limits, and sources
Limits
For adults considering intentional weight loss. A timeline cannot tell whether a goal weight is appropriate. Do not use it to plan weight loss during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, under age 18, or when managing an eating disorder. Discuss medical conditions and medication changes with your clinician.
How Alma works it out
In date mode, weight change is divided by the number of calendar weeks between your dates. In pace mode, weight change is divided by your chosen weekly pace. This is straight-line planning, not a prediction of how your metabolism will respond.
A worked example
For 20 lb over 20 weeks, the required average is 1 lb per week. Cutting the time to 5 weeks would require 4 lb per week; Alma flags that pace instead of prescribing a crash diet.
Sources
Educational information. Sources inform the method; their authors have not reviewed or endorsed this calculator. Updated .
Common questions
Does a target date guarantee my result?
No. Water changes, illness, activity, medication, and metabolic adaptation can change progress. Use the date to discuss a plan, then review your actual trend.
Can I calculate calories needed to reach a date?
Alma does not turn a deadline into a calorie prescription. For a model that accounts for changing energy needs, use the NIDDK Body Weight Planner linked below.
How long does it take to lose 20 pounds?
At 1 lb per week, the arithmetic is 20 weeks. At 2 lb per week, it is 10 weeks. Those are planning examples, not a promise or a recommendation for every person.