According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of your total body weight is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar, and can even relieve weight-induced joint pain.
Patients taking Wegovy or other GLP1-agonists are often told they can expect to lose around 15% of their body weight. But, how many pounds is that? Today, I will show you how to figure your percentage of weight loss. Calculating your percentage of weight loss is very simple. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5% weight loss is 10 pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds. While this weight may still be in the “overweight” or “obesity” range for your height, this modest weight loss can decrease your risk for chronic diseases related to obesity.
If just starting your weight loss journey and are looking for a Wegovy Diet Plan, start here.
Table of contents
Why should I calculate my percent weight loss?
Calculating your weight loss is a great way to find out how far you have come and can motivate you to continue your weight loss journey.
Your percent weight change is a very quick and easy snapshot of your weight loss as a whole. This quick math will compare your starting weight to your current weight.
(Starting weight – Current weight) / (Starting weight) x 100 = % body weight change
Example: Your starting weight was 280 lbs, and your current weight is 175 lbs
(280-175) / (280) x 100 = 37.5% total body weight loss
How do I calculate percent weight loss?
Your percent weight change is a very quick and easy snapshot of your weight loss as a whole. This quick math will compare your starting weight to your current weight.
Grab a calculator and follow these steps to calculate your percentage of weight lost.
Your percent weight change is a very quick and easy snapshot of your weight loss as a whole. This quick math will compare your starting weight to your current weight.
(Starting weight – Current weight) / (Starting weight) x 100 = % body weight change
Example: Your starting weight was 280 lbs, and your current weight is 175 lbs
(280-175) / (280) x 100 = 37.5% total body weight loss
How do I know what my goal weight should be?
Step 1
To determine your excess body weight, you'll need to find the weight that would put you at a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25. A healthy BMI ranges from 18-24.9 (for the purpose of this calculation, we will round it to 25).
25 x (height in inches x height in inches / 703) = Weight in lbs to be at a BMI of 25
Example: You are 5’5” (65 inches; Remember, there are 12 inches in a foot)
25 x (65 x 65/703) = A healthy weight starts at 150 lbs
Work with your doctor or registered dietitian to determine what a healthy weight goal should be for you.
Step 2
After you have calculated the weight that puts you at a healthy BMI, now it is time to calculate how much over your healthy BMI you are now.
Starting weight – weight to be at a BMI of 25 = Excess body weight
Example: Your starting weight was 280 lbs. and you are 5’5”
280 – 150 = 130 lbs of excess body weight
Your goal is to lose 130 pounds.
Long Term Goals
Over the long term, it's smart to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. Generally, to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower-calorie diet and regular physical activity. It would take 2.5 years or 30 months at 1 lb per week or 1.25 years or 15 months at 2 lbs per week.
If you are looking for support, answers to your questions, and would like access to a registered dietitian, join our private Facebook group at Wegovy / Ozempic Meal Plans and Recipes and join over 1200 others by Liking and Following the Berries and Oats Facebook Page for delicious recipes that your entire family will love.
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