Fasting and stalling, need advice

(lldb) #1

I’m new to the forum. I started the ketogenic diet and then found out about intermittent fasting so have added that in to boost weight losses. I’m 5’4" and currently 197. Battled weight loss for my entire adult life, losing/gaining the vicious cycle. I found the videos by Jason Fung wich got me started on intermittent fasting. My initial goal (to just not be “overweight” is 145, but if I make it there, I’d like to get to 135. I am 48 years old (female).

I’ve been stalling for about 5 days and hoping to get some advice, Not sure if I should go back to 16/8 intermittent fasting or go for more extended fasting. Also, I read the book by Sam Van Horn and it recommends a cheat day, but I’m terrified to do that (afraid I will gain more and stall more). I realize this stall is normal but just hoping for some advice. Here is what I have done so far:
5/4/2018 210 lbs started with ketogenic diet
5/5/2018 207 lbs
5/6/2018 206 lbs
5/7/2018 206 lbs
5/8/2018 206 lbs
5/9/2018 206 lbs
5/10/2018 206 lbs
5/11/2018 205 lbs
5/12/2018 205 lbs
5/13/2018 204 lbs
5/14/2018 204 lbs
5/15/2018 204 lbs
5/16/2018 203 lbs - 1st Day of 16 hr Fast
5/17/2018 203 lbs - 16 hr Fast
5/18/2018 201 lbs - 24 hr Fast
5/19/2018 198 lbs - 24 hr Fast
5/20/2018 198 lbs - 16 hr Fast
5/21/2018 198 lbs - 40 hrFast
5/23/2018 198 lbs - 16 hrFast

#2

You’ve lost 12 lbs in 20 days! Congratulations!!! I think you should continue to work on being fat adapted and fast when it feels right as you adjust over the next month or two. Take more measurements and put the scale away! You aren’t stalled - the mini-plateaus are normal.

KCKO

(lldb) #3

Thank you! Today I’m doing the 16 hr fast. Those are easy for me so pretty much doing that every day unless I go for a longer fast. The 24 hour fast was fairly easy but when I did the 40 hour fast, I felt really weird in the evening and a little nauseous but felt ok the next morning so didn’t eat until about 2pm. I’m just not sure what to do next. The 24 hr fast didn’t seem to help a lot, and when I did the 40 hr fast, I lost nothing. I guess I was expecting a couple of lbs off after that :slight_smile: So now I don’t know if I should go for another extended fast or just keep doing the 16 hr fasting.

(Troy Anthony) #4

I wouldn’t recommend jumping into longer fasts quickly. I understand wanting to keep the weight loss flying off, but it’s just not going to at that rate. Most of the initial weight loss on keto is water weight, so very normal for the scale to slow like it did. Your body is probably in a phase of burning up stored glucose still when you are fasting and you are probably in an uncomfortable transition. That would explain getting nauseas or dizzy. Your body is just really low on fuel, or the fuel it’s used to using. You won’t notice weight loss until your body starts burning fat for fuel. Fasting may get you there faster, haha, but your body needs time to transition so it could be beneficial to take your time and think long term health and weight loss. You’ll get there!

(lldb) #5

Thanks, I did the 16 hr fast today (skipping breakfast, eating lunch and dinner) and I’ve actually still been feeling a little nauseous all day. I was hungry at lunch so I ate. I didn’t feel like eating dinner but I went ahead and ate. I’ll just keep sticking with the 16 hr fast for now and just eat lunch and dinner, hopefully, it will get better soon. I thought I was already burning fat because I haven’t been too hungry, but I definitely don’t have the energy that I hear people talk about.