The amount of weight you might lose if you stop eating for two weeks can vary greatly. Factors such as age, gender, starting weight, metabolism, and activity level all play a role
. Keep in mind that the following are estimates:
- Water Fasting Research indicates that during a water fast lasting from 5 to 20 days, people lost between 2% and 10% of their initial weight
- Intermittent Fasting A review of 27 intermittent fasting trials showed weight loss results ranging from 0.8% to 13% over 2 to 12 weeks
. Intermittent fasting includes methods such as the 16/8 method, fasting for 14 to 16 hours a day, or the 5:2 diet, where you eat normally for five days and significantly reduce calories for two
During the initial days without food, the body starts by using stored glucose and glycogen for energy
. Once these stores are depleted, the body begins to break down muscle tissue and then relies on fat stores to create ketones for energy, a process known as ketosis
. It is generally accepted that a pound of fat contains 3,500 calories
. If you typically need 2,500 calories daily to maintain your weight and you stop eating, you could lose approximately 0.75 pounds each day
. It is important to note that fasting for extended periods may lead to health risks, and it's advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before starting any fasting regimen
