Losing 25 kg often takes many months to more than a year; the right timeline depends on your starting weight and treatment. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links a gradual pace of around 0.5 to 1 kg a week with keeping weight off. Losing 25 kg in three months would mean more than 8 kg a month, faster than is appropriate for most people. Your endocrinologist will set your first target with you.
- Spreading 25 kg over nine to twelve months means losing around 2 to 3 kg a month, in line with the gradual pace the CDC describes.
- With medical supervision, our endocrinologists typically observe a loss of three to four kilos a month, a rate that can slow as treatment continues.
- MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, describes losing more than 0.5 to 1 kg a week as not safe for most people.
- The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that experts recommend beginning with a loss of 5 to 10% of starting weight over six months.
- Enough protein and regular resistance training can help preserve muscle during a 25 kg loss.
- Weight loss medication is generally considered at a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition, after an assessment by your endocrinologist.
How long does it take to lose 25 kg?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links a gradual, steady pace of around 0.5 to 1 kg a week with a better chance of keeping the weight off. This is general guidance. The pace that is appropriate for you can vary with your starting weight, your health and any treatment you receive.
At Endocare, our endocrinologists typically observe weight loss of three to four kilos a month in patients on a medically supervised programme. The table below sets out the monthly rate that four timeframes for a 25 kg loss would require.
| Timeframe for 25 kg | Monthly rate required | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | More than 8 kg a month | Faster than is appropriate for most people |
| 6 months | Around 4.2 kg a month | Slightly above the rate our endocrinologists typically observe |
| 9 months | Around 2.8 kg a month | Within the gradual pace the CDC describes |
| 12 months | Around 2.1 kg a month | Close to the lower end of the pace the CDC describes |
The comparisons use the CDC guidance and the rate our endocrinologists typically observe. A timeframe of nine to twelve months allows for months in which weight loss slows. Your endocrinologist will agree on a timeframe with you based on your starting point and your response to treatment.
Early changes on the scale can partly reflect changes in body water, rather than fat loss alone. Our article on how many kilos you can lose in a month explains what to expect in the first month. If your goal is smaller or larger, our guides to losing 20 kg in six months, losing 30 kg and losing 40 kg set out those timelines.
Can you lose 25 kg in 3 months?
For most people, it is not realistic or appropriate. Three months would mean losing nearly 2 kg a week, around twice the upper end of the pace the CDC describes.
MedlinePlus, the health information service of the US National Library of Medicine, states that losing more than 0.5 to 1 kg a week is not safe for most people. It notes that losing weight this quickly can cause you to lose muscle, water and bone density.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that fast weight loss may be more likely to lead to gallstone problems. Larger calorie deficits can increase the amount of lean tissue lost alongside body fat.
If your target and deadline do not match, your endocrinologist can discuss whether to adjust the target, extend the timeframe, or reassess the plan based on your response. Very restrictive approaches are also difficult to sustain and can increase the likelihood of weight regain.
How to start a 25 kg weight loss plan
We recommend starting with a smaller first target. A useful first milestone is losing 5–10% of your starting weight over six months, as recommended by the NIDDK. You can then review the next stage with your doctor.
The NHS describes reducing daily calorie intake by around 600 calories as a safe and sustainable approach to weight loss. This means eating around 600 calories less than your usual daily intake, not limiting your total intake to 600 calories a day. Our article on how many calories it takes to lose 1 kg explains the calculation in more detail.
Start with protein. Our coaches focus on including a good source of protein at each meal, then look at portion sizes and drinks, which can contribute significantly to daily calorie intake. The NHS also advises getting active for 150 minutes a week, which you can break up into shorter sessions.
Is 25 kg a big weight loss?
For most people, yes. For anyone starting below around 165 kg, a 25 kg loss is more than 15% of body weight. Weight loss of this magnitude is often associated with clinically meaningful improvements in blood pressure, lipids and blood sugar, and some patients with prediabetes may return to the normal glucose range.
Losing 25 kg can make a significant visible difference, but how much depends on your starting weight and body composition. The change will generally be more noticeable at a lower starting weight. Losing mostly body fat will generally change your shape more than losing the same amount of weight with significant muscle loss.
What a medically supervised 25 kg plan includes
Your first appointment is a full medical assessment, not simply a prescription visit. Your endocrinologist will review your medical history and any relevant blood tests, assess your weight and metabolic health, and discuss whether a GLP-1 medication or another weight loss treatment is the right option for you.
At Endocare, body composition analysis is included free of charge at every consultation. Body composition analysis estimates body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeated measurements help your endocrinologist understand how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale.
Adequate protein and resistance training can help preserve muscle while you lose weight. General guidance such as the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggests roughly 1.2 to 1.6 g of protein per kg of body weight per day for people losing weight. Endocare’s lifestyle coaches will personalise that figure from your body composition analysis.
Our article on preserving muscle during weight loss covers protein and training in more detail.
When weight loss medication may be appropriate
Weight loss medication is generally considered for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above when weight-related health conditions are present. Your endocrinologist will assess whether medication is appropriate based on your individual health and weight profile. Our guide to who qualifies for weight loss injections describes how the assessment works.
Where medication is appropriate, your endocrinologist can discuss GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide), which are once-weekly injections. Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily tablet that targets the same GLP-1 receptor as injectable GLP-1 weight loss medications.
Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is the semaglutide medication approved for weight management. At Endocare, Ozempic is considered for weight management only in patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Ozempic is not approved for weight management or for prediabetes, so using it for weight management outside the treatment of type 2 diabetes, including in prediabetes, is off-label.
Frequently asked questions
Can you lose 25 kg in 3 months on Mounjaro?
It is unlikely. Your endocrinologist starts Mounjaro at a low dose and increases it in steps, based on your response and how well you tolerate it. In SURMOUNT-1, a Phase 3 clinical trial in adults with obesity or overweight, patients taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, at the highest dose lost an average of around 20% of their total body weight over 72 weeks. Importantly, this average weight loss was measured over 72 weeks, not three months.
Will I have loose skin if I lose 25 kg?
It is possible. How much loose skin develops varies with factors such as age, starting weight, the amount of weight lost and skin elasticity. Our guide to loose skin after weight loss explains what to expect.
How do you keep 25 kg off once you have lost it?
With a plan that continues after the weight loss phase. Lifestyle coaching continues once you reach your target. If you take a GLP-1 medication, your endocrinologist will discuss when and how to reduce the dose gradually. Our article on maintaining weight loss after a GLP-1 medication explains this stage in more detail.
Patients should not decide by themselves to start a GLP-1 medication. A doctor’s review is critical to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for the individual.
Monthly follow-up appointments can be held in person at the clinic or online. We recommend the first consultation in person, as it includes a physical examination and body composition analysis.
At our Dubai clinic, your endocrinologist will assess you, review your starting weight and health, and agree on a first target with you. You can book a weight loss consultation on +971 4 285 3885 or send us a message on WhatsApp.
