What would a person have to do in order to lose twenty pounds in three weeks?

Answer 1

Each pound of fat is equivalent to 3500 calories, so in order to lose a pound of fat, an individual has to expend that much energy or curb his dietary intake by that amount. For example, if he were to exercise away 500 calories daily, he would lose a pound in a week. Alternatively, cutting his intake by 500 calories would accomplish the same goal.

In order to lose seven pounds weekly, he would have to save or expend the 3500 calories every day. Since most of us require 1500-2500 calories daily, depending on activity and metabolism, that would require a great deal of exercise. A rule of thumb is 100 calories for a mile walked; therefore, a daily loss of a pound would require a daily walk of 35 miles OR curbing intake by 1000 calories, probably not a healthy choice, and walking 25 miles daily.

Note: it takes the same energy to move a body one mile whether it's done walking or running. The only variable there is the time.