# "How to Lose 20 lbs. of Fat in 30 Days… Without Doing Any Exercise" Does this diet have any merit?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise-does-this-diet-have-any-merit/680113>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 30, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise-does-this-diet-have-any-merit/680113 "2014-01-30T06:01:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise-does-this-diet-have-any-merit/680113/41 "2014-01-31T19:53:59Z")

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> [@DSeid](#):
>
> As an any lifter, bodybuilder, or serious student of fitness and nutrition will tell you, increasing muscle mass substantially requires caloric excess. It is not impossible to put on some very modest amount of muscle mass while losing some amount of both fat and weight but it is very difficult. It requires keeping the calorie deficit mild, getting enough protein in, and timing that protein so that it is there when the body needs it.

The nail has been hit on the head. And I guess difficulty is relative, but in my experiences, “very difficult” would certainly apply.

There is also the fact that many people tend to gain a percentage of fat and water weight, while relying on a greater quantity of carbs. For most anyone I’ve spoken to, trying to adhere to a plan like that requires consistent work and a diet which can typically reach in excess of 4k calories, daily. Also, while some higher level people do it, it generally wasn’t something you’d want to do quickly, because your body also needs time to rest or acclimate to the additional weight (age matters, too). Personally, I’d have to especially focus on my knees and such, just to ensure my own health. YMMV.

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**Author:** ![Marlonius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Marlonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlonius)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise-does-this-diet-have-any-merit/680113/42 "2014-02-01T03:02:01Z")

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> [@DSeid](#):
>
> I think that was more a reference to the idea that science will never succeed at brain transplants but body transplants, maybe.

Exactly this…I was imagining those heads in the jars on Futurama.

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