Not losing weight! What am I doing wrong?

I’m 5.1” CW 126 lbs GW 110 Been doing IF 16:8 since early December but haven’t lost any weight. I’m still snacking too much in between meals (probably on 2-3 days per week) and have the occasional two glasses of wine (also 2-3 days a week). I’m not counting calories cause my meals are often one pot stews or stir fry meals-I don’t know how to calculate my macros. I run about 20 miles per week in the cold outside. Been doing that since early December. I drink about 80oz of water every day. I haven’t lost any weight but my body shaped changed and improved; I’m less jiggly, more toned and less bloaty. My butt is bigger now (which is good). BUT i still want to lose weight. How do I do that? Is there a simple trick to help me stop snacking or drinking?

Answer

at 5’1’’ and 126 lbs, your caloric window for weight loss is going to be tight. Your BMR without any activity is somewhere between 1250-1500. With your exercise 4-5 times a week it could be around 1700-1800. A 500 cal deficit means eating 1300 cal/day and that will lose 1 lb per week. If you want to see the scale move you have to eat less than you burn. And when you’re smaller, its really hard

Answer

If you’re noticing differences and progress I’d say you don’t need to worry too much…

but if you wanted a way to track calories you can download an app like my fitness pal and scan the barcodes of the things you eat and drink (entirely free app and it’s surprisingly easy and effortless)

I track and a few beers plus snacks and a meal can rack up easily into 3,000. If you’re doing that a few times a week that can cause a significant difference.

Answer

Hi, I’m small, too, and daily IF didn’t work for me (for various reasons), but ADF (Alternate Day Fasting) has been pretty awesome. I eat right at TDEE, or even sometimes a bit over, within a 9-hour window on my eating days, and I am steadily reaching my goal of autophagy (and am making good progress on my goal of fitting into a particular dress!). I have dropped enough weight that I have to be mindful not to eat in a deficit. So if IF isn’t working for you due to the tracking and snacking challenges, you may try ADF. There is a lovely, knowledgeable and supportive community here, and on the r/fasting boards.