Hi all, I'm (31F, 5'5") on week 4 of IF, 18:6 with occasional 20:4. Typically fast from 2pm-8am. No cheat days. I do clean fasts, water only, 60oz a day. I started at 187.6lbs and I'm only now at 183.5. Four measly pounds.
I also took photos and I look exactly the same. I took measurements of my bust, waist, hips, thighs, calves and upper arms. There is zero change.
I don't get it. I'm eating about 1300 calories a day and my BMR is about 1800 according to the calculator. I track religiously (I use a food scale for calorie dense things like protein and fats.) I don't eat a lot of sweets, never have. Salt intake isnt too bad because I buy low-sodium everything.
I started going to the gym 3 weeks ago but it's purely cardio, I haven't started strength training yet. Just power walking at an incline on a treadmill 3-4x a week.
I'm just so disheartened and seeing all the before and after photos like "IF for 6 weeks, down 20lbs!" Has me so sad.
What am I doing wrong?
Answer
You need to read Fast.Feast.Repeat. Your body needs at least 4 weeks to become fat adapted and get used to fasting. Technically you just started and should now start seeing real results. Stick with it, you are doing the right steps.
Answer
I would almost guarantee you gained some weight back in glutes/calves/hamstrings. They are the largest muscles! you just probably aren’t realizing it. Also alot of the people losing 20lbs in a month are 300lb’s or more, also half of that could be water weight as well