Realistic Weight Loss: Can You Lose 5 Pounds Per Week?

In sports with weight classes, like wrestling and boxing, athletes must often lose five pounds in a week to compete at a certain weight class; this practice, known as "cutting weight" relies on sweating out water rather than burning fat.

Fat Loss

• Fat contains 3,500 calories per pound, so burning five pounds of pure fat in a week would require burning an extra 17,500 calories--a feat that would be difficult even for those with high levels of physical fitness.

Water Weight

• The human body is made up of over 50 percent water; by limiting food intake and exercising to sweat out water, the body can lose several pounds of water weight in a single workout session.

Cutting Weight

• Cutting five pounds of water weight in a week is common among athletes, and is often achieved by running or biking in sweats, heavy coats, or using saunas and rubber suits to induce sweating.

Dangers

• Rapid weight loss can cause fatigue, confusion and dizziness, and losing water weight can lead to dehydration.

Considerations

• Losing water weight is not a useful method to promote lasting weight loss, and weight is likely to return to normal once you drink until you are satisfied; cutting five pounds in a week will be easier for those who are heavier to begin with.