Weight loss TV shows usually give the contestant's weight loss in a percentage form. This is because calculating your weight loss percentages can give you a more accurate portrayal of how much weight you've lost, especially in comparison to someone else. Shooting for a weight loss percentage goal may also be more motivating than looking for a number of pounds lost on the scale. With a simple equation, you can find out your weight loss percentage and use as a tool to meet other weight loss goals in the future.
Step 1
Write down the number of your current weight in a weight loss journal or scrap of paper that you can keep handy. This weight will be necessary after you've lost some weight and need to find out what percentage of your total weight you've lost.
Step 2
Commence your weight loss routine of daily exercise and a healthy diet for a few weeks, or however long you've set for yourself. Give yourself enough time to see a real difference in your weight loss percentage for more motivating results. A 2-week time frame would work well.
Step 3
Record your weight on the day that you've set as your finish date for your goal. Ideally, it will be lower than your starting weight. Record the number in your weight loss journal, and you're ready to calculate your weight loss percentage.
Step 4
Subtract the second number from the first number to get your total number of pounds lost.
Step 5
Divide the number you received for the number of pounds lost by the first number, the starting weight. For example, if you were originally 185 lbs., and you lost 13 lbs., you would divide 13 by 185.
Step 6
Move the decimal two places to the right to receive a new number. This number is your percentage of weight loss. In the example above, 13 divided by 185 is equal to 0.07. Once the decimal point is moved, it reads 7 percent weight loss. This means that through diet and exercise, you've lost 7 percent of your starting body weight.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a weight loss percentage calculator if you aren't good with math. You can find one in the Resources section.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Journal
- Calculator
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