How to Lose 10 Pounds (5 kg)

Discover how to lose 10 pounds (5 kg) healthily. Calorie deficit calculation, profile examples and practical tips. Track with Voical.

5 kg
Goal
5 to 10 weeks
Recommended duration
500-700 kcal/day
Deficit/day
0.5-1 kg (1-2 lbs) per week
Expected rate

Calorie calculation examples by profile

Sedentary woman, 30 years old, 143 lbs

Maintenance calories 1750 kcal
Target (with deficit) 1250 kcal
Deficit: 500 kcal/day

Active woman, 30 years old, 143 lbs

Maintenance calories 2050 kcal
Target (with deficit) 1450 kcal
Deficit: 600 kcal/day

Sedentary man, 30 years old, 176 lbs

Maintenance calories 2100 kcal
Target (with deficit) 1500 kcal
Deficit: 600 kcal/day

Active man, 30 years old, 176 lbs

Maintenance calories 2600 kcal
Target (with deficit) 1950 kcal
Deficit: 650 kcal/day

Why lose 10 pounds?

Losing 10 pounds is an accessible goal that can make a real difference. This weight loss often improves daily comfort, self-image, and can mark the beginning of a bigger transformation. It's a realistic and motivating first milestone.

How long to lose 10 pounds

To lose 10 lbs (5 kg) of fat, you need to create a total deficit of 38,500 kcal (5 x 7700). With a 500 kcal/day deficit, expect about 77 days or roughly 11 weeks. With a 700 kcal/day deficit, expect about 55 days or roughly 8 weeks.

Method and tracking

The key to success for losing 10 pounds is consistency. Track your calories daily, weigh yourself once a week in the morning on an empty stomach, and adjust if necessary. Voical makes this tracking simple and fast.

After losing 10 pounds

Once you've lost your 10 pounds, you have two options: continue toward a new goal or stabilize. Either way, continue tracking to avoid regaining. Gradually increase your calories by 100 kcal per week until you reach maintenance.

Important

Never go below 1200 kcal/day (women) or 1500 kcal/day (men) without medical supervision. Too aggressive a deficit can be dangerous for your health and counterproductive for weight loss.

Complete Guide to Losing 10 Pounds

Losing 10 pounds (5 kg) is a popular and entirely achievable goal. Whether it’s to get back to your ideal weight, feel better in your clothes, or prepare for bigger weight loss, this guide will help you.

The Science Behind Losing 10 lbs

To lose 10 lbs (5 kg) of pure fat, you need to create a total calorie deficit of:

  • 5 kg x 7700 kcal = 38,500 kcal

Duration Scenarios

Daily DeficitWeekly DeficitTime for 10 lbs
500 kcal3500 kcal11 weeks
600 kcal4200 kcal9 weeks
700 kcal4900 kcal8 weeks

Profiles and Calorie Goals

Sedentary woman (143 lbs, 30 years old, 5’5”)

  • Maintenance: about 1750 kcal
  • Deficit goal: 1250-1350 kcal/day

Sedentary man (176 lbs, 30 years old, 5’9”)

  • Maintenance: about 2100 kcal
  • Deficit goal: 1500-1600 kcal/day

Key Steps

  1. Calculate your maintenance: your daily calorie expenditure
  2. Set your deficit: subtract 500-700 kcal
  3. Track everything: every meal, every snack
  4. Weigh yourself weekly: in the morning on an empty stomach
  5. Adjust if needed: if no loss after 2 weeks

Common Mistakes

  • Wanting to go too fast (more than 2 lbs/week)
  • Forgetting liquid calories (juice, alcohol, sweetened coffee)
  • Not counting weekends
  • Giving up after a plateau

Why Voical Can Help You

Losing 10 pounds requires consistency over 2-3 months. Voical simplifies daily tracking by reducing it to 15 seconds per meal. This ease helps you stick with it long enough to reach your goal.

Frequently asked questions