Body Visualizer › Before and after
Losing 20 pounds: what 220 to 200 lb looks like on a woman
A 5′5″ woman at 220 lb and at 200 lb, side by side. That is 9.1% of body weight, and it takes BMI from 36.6 (very obese) to 33.3 (obese). Change the height, body type or model below to see the same change on someone more like you.
Each body turns once. Tap a body to pause it, tap again to resume, and tap when it stops to see all angles again.
What changes between 220 and 200 pounds
220 to 200 lb is a first step for a 5′5″ woman starting in the very obese range. The pictures show it mostly in the middle and the face: the belly shrinks a little, the waist narrows, and the neck looks less full.
At 220 lb a 5′5″ woman usually has a large round belly, a very thick waist and heavy arms, thighs and face. At 200 lb that becomes a noticeably round belly that sits over the waistband, a thick waist and heavy arms and thighs. 200 lb is still above the healthy range for this height, which tops out at about 150 lb, so for many people this is a first milestone rather than the finish line.
Here is the same change in 10 lb steps. The models move in steps of about 10 lb, so one step can look small; it is the run of them that adds up.
How long losing 20 pounds takes
A common rule of thumb is that eating about 500 calories a day less than you burn loses roughly a pound a week, and a pace of 1 to 2 pounds a week is what most guidance treats as sustainable. At that pace 20 lb takes about 10 to 20 weeks, roughly 3 to 5 months. Real progress is rarely a straight line: the first weeks often move faster (partly water), and plateaus are normal.
220 to 200 lb at other heights
The same 20 pounds means something different on a shorter or taller woman.
| Height | Before | After | Healthy range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′11″ | BMI 44.4, severely obese | BMI 40.4, severely obese | 92–123 lb |
| 5′1″ | BMI 41.6, severely obese | BMI 37.8, very obese | 98–132 lb |
| 5′3″ | BMI 39.0, very obese | BMI 35.4, very obese | 104–141 lb |
| 5′5″ | BMI 36.6, very obese | BMI 33.3, obese | 111–150 lb |
| 5′7″ | BMI 34.5, obese | BMI 31.3, obese | 118–159 lb |
| 5′9″ | BMI 32.5, obese | BMI 29.5, overweight | 125–169 lb |
| 5′11″ | BMI 30.7, obese | BMI 27.9, overweight | 133–179 lb |
See what 220 pounds looks like on a woman and what 200 pounds looks like.
Small changes that add up
Twenty pounds can feel like a lot to aim for, but it usually comes from a few specific changes kept up for a few months: smaller portions at dinner, fewer sugary drinks and a daily walk. Write down which changes you are making so you can see what is working when the scale moves.
Similar before and afters
Where to start
- Healthy weight loss tipsWhat actually works, without crash diets.
- A calorie counting guideFind your number and track it simply.
- A 30-day walking routineThe easiest habit to begin today.
- Meal prep ideasCook once, eat well all week.
About these pictures
The before and after bodies are the original pre-rendered 3D models, which turn once so you can see every angle. The same steps are also shown as AI-generated front views of a second woman and of a man; pick them under Model above.
Sources: BMI categories from the CDC; waist guidance from the NIH (NHLBI); pace of loss from the CDC. How these pages are made.
These pictures are a visualization from a small set of pre-made body models, not a prediction for you, and BMI is only a rough screening number. Before starting a weight loss plan, especially a large one, talk to your doctor.