Here's How Much Weight You Can Lose in a Month on Weight Watchers | Livestrong.com (2024)

Here's How Much Weight You Can Lose in a Month on Weight Watchers | Livestrong.com (1)

You can lose a significant amount of weight in a month on Weight Watchers.

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If you're following a Weight Watchers diet, which is now called WW, it's important to lose weight gradually — whether your goal is to lose 10 pounds or 50 pounds.

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During your first month on a WW plan, you might lose weight at a faster pace than during subsequent months. This is normal, and the initial period of rapid weight loss shouldn't last more than a few weeks.

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Monthly Weight Loss on Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers encourages healthy eating and discourages food deprivation. While following a WW plan, you can expect to lose an average of 8 pounds a month, or 2 pounds a week. This is a realistic and healthy goal to aim for, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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Your weight loss may fluctuate from week to week and month to month. During some weeks, you may lose less than 2 pounds and during other weeks, you may reach a plateau. You might even have some weeks in which you gain a little.

As long as you average a loss of about 2 pounds a week by the end of the month, you're on the right track, says registered dietitian Stephanie Rost, RD, former director of corporate program development for Weight Watchers.

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Why You May Lose More Weight Initially

During the first few weeks of the Weight Watchers plan, it's possible to experience more dramatic weight loss, a sign that your body is adjusting to your new eating plan. The majority of the weight you're losing, however, is most likely water weight and not fat.

After the first few weeks, you should maintain a more gradual weight loss, losing about 2 pounds per week.

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The Risks of Losing Weight Too Fast

Dropping more than 2 pounds a week has been linked to numerous health risks, per the National Health Service (NHS). Rapid weight loss can cause gallstones, which can lead to severe or life-threatening infections, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and are associated with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, chills, gas and bloating.

Dramatic fluctuations in weight can also negatively affect your energy levels, your metabolism, kidneys, thyroid function, level of sex hormones and cardiac function — including an unhealthy change in your blood pressure.

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Additionally, over time, loss of bone density could cause your bones to become weak and brittle, increasing your risk of fracture, per an October 2014 review in Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity.

What to Do if You're Losing Weight Too Quickly or Too Slowly

If you've followed your WW plan for several weeks and haven't lost any weight — or if you're dropping more than 2 pounds a week after the first month — it's time to meet with your WW coach and evaluate your diet.

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It's possible that you may need to adjust the number of points you're using to keep track of food portions and calories. If you're experiencing a weight-loss plateau, you might need to trim a couple of points from your daily total. Or, if you're losing weight more quickly than the recommended safe amount, you might need to increase your points by two or three until you're back on track. Your coach can help you best determine which next step is right for you.

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Here's How Much Weight You Can Lose in a Month on Weight Watchers | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

How much weight can I lose on Weight Watchers in a month? ›

How much weight will you lose in a month on Weight Watchers? According to the program itself, WW members can expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week, which would be 4 to 8 pounds per month.

How long does it take to lose 5 pounds on Weight Watchers? ›

So, you may be able to lose 5 pounds in your first week or two on Weight Watchers, but as you get used to the plan, you may plateau and will probably slow down to just a couple of pounds per week. Not only is this normal, but it's also preferable.

What are the negatives of Weight Watchers? ›

Cons
  • Points system for food tracking is very simplified, making it difficult to learn about the nutrition of the food you're eating.
  • Doesn't provide much education on food or fitness.
  • Members must rely on the program to continue losing weight.
Jan 19, 2024

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds? ›

That said, many healthy weight-loss guidelines say you should aim to lose one or two pounds per week (whether you have five or 50 pounds to lose), that means it could take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks to lose 20 pounds.

Can I lose 3 pounds a week on Weight Watchers? ›

Weight Watchers encourages healthy eating and discourages food deprivation. While following a WW plan, you can expect to lose an average of 8 pounds a month, or 2 pounds a week. This is a realistic and healthy goal to aim for, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Why did Oprah leave Weight Watchers? ›

Oprah Winfrey stepped down from the board of directors of WW so she could focus on making a TV special about weight loss medications.

Do doctors recommend Weight Watchers? ›

Our evidence-based approach to weight management is built on decades of research, with studies showing that after a physician referral to WeightWatchers, more than half of patients lost at least 5 percent of their weight in a year.

How can I speed up weight loss on Weight Watchers? ›

6 Science-Backed Tips to Lose Weight Faster on Weight Watchers — Or Any Diet
  1. Dig in at breakfast. ...
  2. Go for protein early in the day. ...
  3. Look for Mother Nature's seal of approval. ...
  4. Drink a cup of water before every meal. ...
  5. Sip some green tea. ...
  6. Enjoy metabolism-shocking splurges.
Nov 12, 2023

Is Weight Watchers a 1200 calorie diet? ›

(If you're active, maybe you can consider 1,500.) Most regimented diet programs, like Weight Watchers, are similarly based on a 1,200 caloric intake, just hidden behind a “point” system so it doesn't feel like calorie counting.

What is the highest rated weight loss program? ›

U.S. News & World Report's best diets for weight loss for 2024 are:
  • WeightWatchers.
  • Mediterranean.
  • Volumetrics.
  • Mayo Clinic Diet.
  • DASH.
  • Flexitarian.
  • Noom Weight.
  • Vegan.
Jan 3, 2024

What foods are 0 points on Weight Watchers? ›

Our ZeroPoint food categories
  • Non-starchy vegetables. With a wide range of health benefits, it's no wonder non-starchy veggies are a ZeroPoint food for everyone. ...
  • Fruits. ...
  • Chicken & turkey breast. ...
  • Fish & shellfish. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Tofu & tempeh. ...
  • Beans, peas & lentils. ...
  • Low-fat yoghurt & cottage cheese.
Dec 9, 2021

How much weight can you lose on Weight Watchers in a week? ›

In fact, while WW is designed to deliver a healthy, safe and sustainable rate of weight loss of 1-2lbs a week – because research proves that smaller, consistent losses are more likely to result in successful long term weight loss – don't be surprised if, like Leah, you see more in your first few weeks.

How many pounds can you lose on Weight Watchers per week? ›

*‎People following the WW program can expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. Plus, research shows that changing what you eat and increasing physical activity leads to more weight loss than just altering what's on your plate.

How much weight can you expect to lose each week on Weight Watchers? ›

According to the company website, members can expect to lose 1–2 lb per week. A person's success with Weight Watchers can vary depending on how closely they follow their plan, how often they attend WW meetings, and whether they stick to their plan during the maintenance period after reaching their weight loss goal.

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