How long does it take to lose 40 pounds?

A person can safely lose 40 pounds in just over 13 weeks. According to WebMD, a person can lose up to 3 pounds per week safely by exercising and maintaining a healthy diet.

The time required to burn 40 pounds is entirely dependent on a person's caloric deficit. According to the CDC, a caloric deficit means that a person takes in fewer calories than he burns. To lose 40 pounds, a person would have to have a caloric deficit of 140,000 calories. A person who maintains a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day can lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week. One pound is equal to 3,500 calories.