How To Lose 2 Pounds a Week: 8 Simple Ways, According to Experts

Weight loss is not easy.

With hundreds of fad diets on the market, most of us don’t even know where to start.

Some will opt to focus more on physical activity such as heavy weight training or running miles on the treadmill.

Unfortunately, exercise alone will not likely result in the weight loss you are looking for.

Especially when you have a goal of 2-pounds per week to lose.

Not all of us are able to afford to work with a weight loss coach, or health coach, to create a specific individualized weight-loss plan.

This means we are left to our own devices.

A healthy weight loss is anywhere between .25-2 pounds a week.

So, how do we get there?

Let’s take a look at some ways for how to lose two pounds a week and meet your weight loss goal without starving yourself.

How to Lose 2 Pounds In a Week: 8 Easy Weight Loss Tips + Meal Plan

1. Create a Calorie Deficit

As many might already know, a calorie deficit is necessary for weight loss to occur.

Especially with a lofty goal of losing 2 pounds a week.

The best way to create a calorie deficit is to make healthy lifestyle changes that reduce your calorie intake and increase your movement.

Physical activity and diet are crucial to making this deficit happen.

You can keep track of your calorie deficit by using a calorie deficit calculator or tracking your meals to monitor your daily calorie deficit.

This will show your total calorie intake versus how much energy (calories) you have burned with exercise.

Let’s look at some simple steps you can take to reach this goal for a healthier lifestyle and better health overall.

2. Healthy Eating Plan

Making diet changes is often the hardest part of the weight loss process.

Part of this is due to habits, while the other part is often lack of information.

Choosing healthy foods doesn’t need to be complicated.

However, caloric intake is a delicate balance.

You want to choose less calories while still consuming enough calories most days of the week to be successful.

This means no 1000-calorie diets.

A diet rich in whole foods is encouraged.

Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products.

These foods naturally provide more nutrients than their highly processed counterparts.

They naturally contain fewer calories and are more satiating to our appetite.

You can also use hand-size portions to ensure you are keeping your portion sizes under control.

For example, a portion of meat is about the size of your palm.

A portion of carbohydrates should be no bigger than the size of your fist.

This is a simple way to stay within your calorie range without having to count calories.

Avoid sweets, such as ice cream, calorie-dense dressings, and cheat meals.

Drink a glass of water instead of sweetened beverages.

High intake of sugar and processed foods can wreak havoc on our hormones.

This can result in weight gain.

Not only are added sugars lacking vitamins and minerals we need but a diet high in these types of foods can also result in increased blood sugar levels.

Increased blood sugar can increase the risk for metabolic diseases as well as weight gain (1).

3. Avoid Fad Diets for Long-Term Weight Loss

Skip the crazy 1000-calorie, low-fat diet plans that leave you feeling starved and miserable.

Say no to restricting yourself to only the diet-friendly restaurant meal when dining out.

Oftentimes weight loss success for these types of diets is a matter of water weight loss.

If it’s too restrictive, it’s likely not a great option for those trying to make permanent changes.

This is especially true when you feel like you are constantly following diet rules.

Not to mention, it’s not healthy for us.

The goal is always to succeed in a healthy weight loss.

This allows you to get the physical and emotional benefits of all your hard work without worrying about gaining the weight back or dreading lunchtime.

For a beginner, skip wikiHow and learn about moderation with these simple strategies.

This can help control your cravings and keep your servings to a minimum.

4. Moderation Is Key

Whatever your guilty pleasure, you want to learn to moderate highly processed foods and snacks in order to achieve successful weight loss.

This means limiting food items such as soft drinks, dessert, and other sweet snacks to the occasional treat.

Many of us are used to reaching for these snacks as a quick way to find comfort or simply out of habit.

in order to obtain long-term weight loss and better control your appetite overall, these items should be limited to moderation.

However, they should not be completely avoided.

This means swapping out those sugar-sweetened beverages for water instead.

But the occasional sugary drink is okay.

Choose to replace your dessert with a piece of fruit.

Unless it’s a celebration that doesn’t come around often.

You will be more successful in the long run if you stick to this versus restricting yourself to no treats at all.

If we think it’s a sin, we are only going to want it more.

Now let’s look at the right way for choosing our foods without diet rules to reduce that pooch and cut down on those pounds.

5. Focus On Quality Over Quantity

Not all calories are created equal.

Weight loss is not only about counting calories.

You can choose a low-calorie diet without choosing high-quality foods when on a weight-loss plan.

Unfortunately, this often leaves us less satisfied, not as healthy, and less likely to sustain our weight loss for the long run.

Swap out calorie-free or diet-marketed grocery items in place of more whole foods for a simple way to cut down on calories and increase nutrition.

Make simple swaps such as choosing a sweet potato over a regular white baked potato to reduce starch.

Another good way to improve the quality of your food is to avoiding dressing it up.

Stick with black coffee and unsweet tea versus adding a ton of sugar and cream and drink water more often.

6. Try Eating More Food To Lose Weight

Another big mistake many people trying to lose weight make is eating too little.

There is a balance when trying to achieve a calorie deficit for successful weight loss to occur.

You want to reduce your calorie intake by enough to lose weight but not too much or you will have the opposite effect.

If you choose too low a calorie diet, your body will mistake this as famine, a survival technique ingrained in us.

In this situation, our body will hold on to all of our fat reserves to protect us from perceived starvation.

Not to mention, very low-calorie diets are unrealistic for long-term success (2).

For those who are eating enough but still don’t feel satisfied during their meals, consider volume eating.

This is when you choose more foods during your meals without increasing the calorie content of the meal.

You would do this by choosing more low-calorie high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Not only are these nutrient-rich, because they are high in fiber they are more filling.

This allows you to feel like you are eating a lot more, be more satisfied during your meals, and also consume fewer calories.

Fiber helps to slow down digestion and fill you up during meals.

A fiber-rich diet can help you consume fewer total calories each day (3).

A high fiber diet can also decrease your risk for developing certain chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease (3).

7. Get More Active

Adding regular physical activity to your routine can help you burn additional calories to help with that calorie deficit.

Here are a few important components you should include to reach your goal of losing 2 pounds a week.

8. Strength Train

Strength training is a great way to build lean muscle mass.

The more lean muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn at rest.

These extra calories burned help to increase your overall calorie deficit and fuel your weight loss goals when combined with a healthy diet.

Strength training causes your body to work harder in order to recover.

This results in prolonged calorie burn, also known as EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) (4).

Building lean muscle mass also helps to cut down on body fat.

This means, not only will the scale show improvements in weight, you will notice physical changes such as being more toned or lean.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adding at least 2 or more days a week of working all major muscle groups.

These include legs, hip, back, abs, chest, shoulders, and arms.

If you are new to strength training, consider working with a personal trainer to help you with proper form.

They can also help you determine a good amount of weight for you to start off with.

8. Walk 10,000 Steps A Day

An activity that is perfect for almost all activity levels, walking 10,000 steps a day can actually make a big difference in your weight loss goals.

Although, it’s not the exact amount of steps that make a difference, the fact that tracking steps is an easy way to get more to move more throughout the day.

The more daily movement, especially in the form of aerobic exercise, also known as cardio, the more calories burned.

The more calories you burn the better your metabolism functions.

You can do this by going on a formal walk around your neighborhood5 or on a treadmill in the gym or at home.

Another good way to add steps is by parking father away at stores while running errands or even doing laps in your home between tasks.

The best way to track your steps is by using a step counter or a smartwatch.

Adding in brisk walking most days of the week can boost calorie burn while being light and easy on your joints.

This makes it easier to avoid any risk of injury for those new to adding in daily movement.

Sample 7-Day Healthy Meal Plan For Weight Loss

In order to create a calorie deficit while still getting all the nutrients your body needs, such as macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, consider a meal plan such as the sample below.

This is a generalized, 1600-calorie meal plan to give you an idea of what a certain amount of food looks like.

This meal plan will not be appropriate for everyone.

Day One

BREAKFAST: 6-ounces low-sugar Greek yogurt, 2 scrambled egg whites with 1/2 cup spinach,1 slice whole grain bread, 1-ounce of cheese, 1 cup canteloupe.
LUNCH: 5-ounces canned tuna in water, 1/3 cup cooked brown rice, 1/2 avocado, 2 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 sliced cucumber,1 tsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. lemon juice.
SNACK:1 small apple, 1 Tbsp peanut butter
DINNER: 6-ounces lean ground turkey, 1/2 cup, cooked black beans, 1/2 cup, cooked quinoa, 1 cup cooked bell peppers, 2 tsp. olive oil.

Total calories: 1578, total fat: 65g, total carbs: 146g, total protein: 113g

Day Two

BREAKFAST: 3/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 whole grain English muffin, 1 Tbsp. almond butter, 1 tsp. local honey
LUNCH: 4-ounces grilled chicken, 2 Tbsp. hummus, 1 whole grain pita pocket, 2 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup diced cucumber, 1 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 cup red grapes
SNACK: Peach, 1-ounce cashews
DINNER: 4-ounces wild caught salmon, 1/2 small baked potato, 1 cup steamed broccoli, 1-ounce cheese, 1/2 Tbsp. butter

Total calories: 1609, total fat: 73g, total carbs: 137g, total protein: 110g

Day Three

BREAKFAST: 1-cup steel cut oats (cooked), 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts, 1 tsp. local honey
LUNCH: 4-ounces grilled chicken, 1/2 cup cooked quinoa,1 oz. cheese, 1 oz. peanuts, 2 cups raw spinach, 1 cup roasted brussel sprouse, 1 cup roasted mixed bell peppers, 1/3 avocado, 2 tsp. olive oil
SNACK: 6-ounces low-sugar Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup granola
DINNER: 3-ounces ground turkey, 1 cup cooked whole grain pasta, 1/2 cup cooked carrots, 1/2 cup cooked zuccini, 2 tsp. olive oil

Total calories: 1632, total fat: 74g, total carbs:168g, total protein: 98g

Day Four

BREAKFAST: 1 cup honeydew melon, 1⁄2 whole grain bagel, 2-tablespoons low-fat cream cheese, 1/2 avocado
LUNCH: 4-ounces wild caught salmon, 1 small sweet potato,1 cup cooked broccoli, 2 tsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. butter
SNACK: 1 small banana, 1-Tbsp. peanut butter
DINNER: 4-ounces cooked tofu, 2 Tbsp. hummus, 1 cup mixed greens, 1/2 cup roasted veggies, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1 whole grain wrap, 1/2 cup fresh cherries

Total calories: 1616, total fat: 82g, total carbs: 156g, total protein: 62g

Day Five

BREAKFAST: 6-ounces low-sugar Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup granola, 1 Tbsp. hemp seeds, 2 Tbsp. sliced almonds
LUNCH: 4-ounces ground turkey meatballs, 1 cup cooked whole grain pasta, 1/2 cup marinara sauce, 1⁄2 cup steamed broccoli, 2 tsp. olive oil
SNACK: 2 clementines
DINNER: 3-ounces canned tuna in water, 1-ounce cheese, 1 slice whole grain bread, 2 pieces of lettuce, 2 slices tomato, 2 Tbsp. diced onion, 2 cups mixed greens, 2 tsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. lemon juice

Total calories: 1599, total fat: 68g, total carbs: 163g, total protein: 76g

Day Six

BREAKFAST: 1 slice whole grain bread, 1/2 avocado mashed, 2 whole eggs, 1 small grapefruit
LUNCH: 3-ounces lean ground beef, 1/2 cup black beans, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 2 cups mixed greens, 1/4 cup corn, 1/2 cup roasted zucchini, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp non-fat, plain greek yogurt, 2 Tbsp. salsa.
SNACK: 1-ounce cashews, 1/2 cup strawberries
DINNER: 4-ounces grilled shrimp, 3/4 cup brown rice, 2 tsp. olive oil, 1/2 grilled peach, 1 cup grilled bell peppers and onions.

Total calories: 1559, total fat: 73g, total carbs: 149g, total protein: 93g

Day Seven

BREAKFAST: 2 scrambled egg whites, 1/2 diced sweet potato, 1/2 cup diced broccoli, 1/2 cup strawberries , 4-ounces non-fat plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp local honey, 1-ounce chopped walnuts
LUNCH: 2 slices whole grain bread, 2-tablespoons hummus, 1/2 cup fresh spinach, 1/2 avocado, 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, 2-ounces low-sodium deli turkey, 1-cup green grapes
SNACK: string cheese, 1-ounce low-sodium turkey jerkey.
DINNER: 2-ounces ground turkey, 1/2 cup kidney beans, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp taco seasoning, 1-ounce shredded cheese, 1-ounce tortilla chips

Total calories: 1649, total fat: 66g, total carbs: 173g, total protein: 98g

How many calories should I eat a day to lose 2 pounds a week

The amount of calories each person should consume to lost 2 pounds a week will differ from person to person.

An individual’s recommended calorie intake depends on many different factors.

These factors include age, gender, height, activity level, current weight, and many others.

If you want to know your specific calorie recommendations for weight loss, consider speaking with a Registered Dietitian.

The Bottom Line

Losing weight is hard work.

Unfortunately, there is no magic food or pill that can help you lose that much weight.

However, there are things that will make it easier and more sustainable to lose as much weight as 2 pounds a week without requiring a weight loss coach.

Following a healthy diet rich in whole foods, choosing smaller portions, and adding in regular exercise will help you consume fewer calories and boost the number of calories you burn in a healthy way.

These simple strategies for lifestyle changes will improve your weight and increase your overall wellness.

This can reduce your risk for various chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity if made as permanent changes in your habits.

References

Campos, Carlos. “Chronic hyperglycemia and glucose toxicity: pathology and clinical sequelae.” Postgraduate medicine vol. 124,6 (2012): 90-7. doi:10.3810/pgm.2012.11.2615
Nelson, Cindy, and Kierstin Harris. “The Dieting Dilemma.” (2019).
Clark, Michelle J., and Joanne L. Slavin. “The effect of fiber on satiety and food intake: a systematic review.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition 32.3 (2013): 200-211.
Da Silva, Rodrigo Lavinas, Michel Arias Brentano, and Luiz Fernando Martins Kruel. “Effects of different strength training methods on postexercise energetic expenditure.” The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24.8 (2010): 2255-2260.

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