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I’m in a rut! Advice please!

60 days of IF 16/8. Lacto/Ovo Vegetarian. F/47 sw231, cw214. I’ve plateaued for a couple of weeks after making progress each week. I feed my kids at 7am but the I don’t eat until 12. Then I don’t feel hungry until late afternoon and we have dinner around 6-7 so I’m done by 8. Dinners are always veggie heavy. I generally eat beans, some cheeses, tofu, seitan, some plant based “meat”. Since Starting IF I am not feeling as hungry and my portion sizes have decreased by 1/3-1/2 . I work on my feet most days and have RA and Plantar Fasciitis so my exercise options are limited. Thanks!

Answer

Hi! I know you said you don’t count calories, and I don’t typically recommend it long-term (it can be a slippery slope into obsessive eating tendencies) but I do recommend people start at the beginning just so they can see what their typical meal is getting them calorie-wise. It helps you become a smarter consumer.

For IF, I also think it’s important at the beginning, not because of overeating, but undereating. It’s quite possible you’re not getting enough calories, which can also be a bad thing and cause plateaus. MyFitnessPal is the tool I used to use, and I found it really great.

Being vegetarian can be hard with IF (pescatarian here, and that’s even hard) but you’re going to want to get a good combination of fiber and protein (which it sounds like you have) along with carbs and healthy fats (also getting that from the cheese). Ezekiel bread is a good option, and there’s one brand (I think it’s Mission?) that makes low-carb tortillas. Best of luck!

Answer

Plateauing for weeks could be because your body has lowered its metabolism as a response to the chronic reduction in calorie intake.

If you are determined to eat what you’re eating, then maybe figure out what your maintenance calories should be based on all your particulars, and eat that amount for a few days, or a day or two each week. Then resume what you’ve been doing and see if your weight loss resumes.

Also, of course, if you’re tracking everything already, might as well figure out how many total carbs you are eating each day, since chronic excess carbohydrate consumption is why people become overweight

Answer

So, are you looking for recipes? I’m not following why you’re in a rut. You’ve lost a significant amount of weight, congrats, by the way. Let me know what you need and I’ll try to see if I can assist.

Answer

You could try extending your fasting period, e.g. to 18:6 or 20:4.

I see you don’t like counting calories — I don’t want to count calories either. That’s one reason I do OMAD, because it’s tougher to overeat with one meal even without counting. It also gives my body extra time in fat-burning mode each day.

I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight into OMAD — it can be a hard adjustment — but trying 18:6 might be doable and worthwhile.