text: what's the best way to lose 40 pounds in 3 months?   two pounds per week is (generally) the most you can shed without risking harm or unwanted side effects of a diet.  there's no quick magical way to drop 40 lbs in a very short time, although product ads will try to convince you otherwise.  a strict well-disciplined weight watchers diet for example, can allow you to lose the 40 lbs in about 20 weeks (5 months).