Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for survival in Project Zomboid as it impacts various aspects of gameplay, such as fitness experience, strength, endurance, and speed. This guide will provide you with information on how to effectively lose and gain weight in Project Zomboid.

How to Lose Weight in Project Zomboid

Over time, your weight in the game will naturally fluctuate due to different factors. It’s important to understand how to effectively lose weight in order to manage your character’s health. To check your weight, press “H” or click on the heart icon located on the left side of the screen and choose the “Info” tab. When your weight increases or decreases, an arrow will appear next to it, indicating whether you are gaining or losing weight.

1. Choosing Specific Traits

One way to lose weight in Project Zomboid is by selecting certain traits for your character. In the early stages of the game, you can choose the Underweight or Very Underweight traits to immediately reduce your weight. However, it’s important to note that these traits have significant negative effects on your skills, melee damage, and overall chance of falling or tripping. Here is a table that provides more information on these traits:

In addition, your character will automatically acquire the corresponding trait based on their weight. For example, if your character weighs 52, they will have the Very Underweight trait. It’s important to avoid the Emaciated trait as much as possible, as it occurs when your weight reaches a certain level and cannot be chosen in the early stages of the game.

2. Engaging in Physical Activities

The relationship between weight and calories is closely linked in Project Zomboid. The maximum number of calories required to gain weight is 3700, while the maximum number required to lose weight is -2200. Even when your character is idle, their calorie count decreases. Once it reaches a negative number between -1 and -2200, weight loss occurs. Engaging in physical activities can help expedite this process. Each action burns calories at different rates, as shown in the table below:

Exercise plays a significant role in weight loss, burning approximately 172.8 calories per hour, which is three times more than idling. The calorie burn rate can also be affected by external factors such as temperature and weapon usage. Fighting while idling has been shown to burn more calories than fighting while walking, making it an effective strategy for weight management.

3. Over Carrying

Carrying more weight than your capacity in the game can also contribute to calorie burn. If you exceed your carrying limit, you will burn an additional 10% more calories. However, this is not a recommended method for weight loss as it can lead to negative consequences such as bleeding and a Heavy Load moodle, which negatively impacts your character’s overall health.

To effectively utilize the calorie burn strategy for weight loss in Project Zomboid, it is recommended to fight while idling with two-handed weapons, expose your character to colder temperatures, and engage in as many physical activities as possible. Consuming low-calorie foods such as fruits, vegetables, and other food options low in carbs and fat can also help prevent excessive weight gain.

How to Gain Weight in Project Zomboid

If you wish to gain weight in Project Zomboid, you can follow these steps:

1. Choosing Specific Traits

During character creation, consider selecting specific traits that contribute to a higher weight. Traits such as Overweight and Obese can help you achieve this goal. However, keep in mind that these traits have negative effects on your character’s abilities, including reduced running speed, endurance, and increased chances of tripping. Here is a table outlining these traits:

Consider whether these traits are worth choosing, as you can still lose weight after selecting them.

2. Eating

Food is a major factor that influences weight in Project Zomboid. Both raw and cooked foods have different nutritional values and macronutrient compositions. Choosing the Fitness Instructor occupation during character creation grants the Nutritionist trait, providing you with the ability to see the nutritional values of various foods. This trait is essential for tracking weight and managing your character’s diet. The number of calories required to gain weight depends on your current weight. For instance, if your current weight is 80, you need to consume more than 1600 calories to gain weight. However, if your weight exceeds 100, you will need to consume 3700 calories to gain one weight point. To efficiently gain weight, it is recommended to consume high-calorie foods, such as pizza, ham, and butter.

3. Lowering Calorie Burn

In order to gain weight effectively, you must reduce your calorie burn. This can be achieved by fighting while walking, using one-handed weapons, keeping your character warm, and avoiding excessive physical activities. Maintaining an ideal weight range of 75-85 in Project Zomboid is generally recommended. If you choose not to select any weight-related traits during character creation, your character will start with a weight of 80. It is important to note that weight in Project Zomboid only affects gameplay and mood, and does not alter your character’s appearance.

That wraps up our guide on how to lose and gain weight in Project Zomboid. If you have any suggestions or tips, feel free to share them in the comments section below!