Stop Dieting. Start Living. Lose Weight for Good.

A safe and sustainable calorie deficit is 500-750 calories per day below your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), which leads to approximately 0.5-0.75 kg (1-1.5 lbs) of weight loss per week. Aggressive deficits of more than 1,000 calories per day can lead to muscle loss, metabolic adaptation, nutrient deficiencies, and are much harder to sustain. Our AI calculates your optimal deficit based on your body composition and activity level.

A healthy rate of weight loss is 0.5-1 kg (1-2 lbs) per week for most people. The first week may show larger losses (2-3 kg) due to water weight reduction, especially on lower-carb plans. People with more weight to lose may safely lose slightly faster initially. Losing weight too quickly often leads to muscle loss and metabolic slowdown, making it harder to maintain results long-term.

Research shows that total daily calorie intake matters more than how many meals you eat. Whether you eat 3 large meals or 5-6 smaller meals, weight loss results are similar when calories are equal. However, some people find that eating more frequently helps control hunger, while others prefer fewer, larger meals. Intermittent fasting is also effective for some. Choose the pattern that helps you consistently maintain your calorie deficit.

While nutrition accounts for roughly 80% of weight loss results, exercise provides important benefits. Resistance training preserves muscle mass during calorie restriction, which keeps your metabolism higher. Cardio exercise creates additional calorie burn. Combining both with a moderate calorie deficit produces the best body composition results. Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate activity per week plus 2-3 strength training sessions.

Weight loss plateaus are normal and occur because your body adapts to the lower calorie intake by reducing metabolic rate. Common solutions include: recalculating your TDEE at your new weight, temporarily increasing calories for 1-2 weeks (diet break), increasing exercise intensity or volume, improving sleep quality, managing stress, and ensuring you are accurately tracking food intake. Plateaus lasting 2-3 weeks are often followed by a sudden drop.

For weight loss, prioritize protein at 1.6-2.2g per kg of body weight to preserve muscle and increase satiety. A balanced approach of 30% protein, 35-40% carbohydrates, and 25-35% fat works well for most people. Some people respond better to lower-carb approaches (under 100g per day), while others thrive on moderate carbs with lower fat. The best macro split is the one you can consistently follow while meeting your calorie target.

Successful long-term weight maintenance requires building sustainable habits rather than following temporary diets. Key strategies include: gradually increasing calories to maintenance level (reverse dieting), continuing regular exercise, maintaining high protein intake, monitoring your weight weekly, having a plan for special occasions and holidays, and practicing mindful eating. People who successfully maintain weight loss typically continue the habits that helped them lose it.