Is this normal?

36/F SW: 188 CW: 180 GW: 140 I’ve started intermittent fasting a few weeks ago with a variation of 16:8 and 18:6 a few times a week and one day of a 20:4 fast. I didn’t see any weight loss at first. I weighed myself a week ago and I was still 188. However, I weighed myself today and saw that I lost 8 lbs. That seems a bit drastic. I haven’t changed my diet much except cutting back on drinking (only once a week compared to every two days) I eat pretty healthy. Lots of veggies, nuts, healthy fats, tons of berries and protein (tofu, tempeh, beans, seitan-I’m vegan btw). I don’t exercise and am at a desk for work about 10 hours a day. I want to do this the healthy way and I’m worried that 8 lbs in one week is too fast. My fasting schedule most of the time is 8:00 pm-12pm and I eat pretty substantial dinners. Do I need to worry or slow down?

Answer

It probably isn’t that you lost 8lbs in one week. A possibility could be with you just recently starting IF, maybe your body was a little in shock. This could cause stress levels to rise and retain water. This may occur because stress and cortisol increase a hormone that controls water balance in the body, known as the antidiuretic hormone or ADH. Many people see the opposite of this as they go low carb and excess glucose (water binding) leaves the body. It’s possible that you have been losing weight the past couple weeks but retaining water and now that you’re becoming more adapted your body is releasing that water. If that’s the case be sure and add electrolyte supplement to stay hydrated

Answer

I love IF and cycle it on and off. I had the same situation. For me I lose in weird spurts. Female also-38. I started paying attention more to how I feel and how well I sleep. Those thoughts keep my mind of the NUMBER.