@Gretchen_Johnson seems like you’ve made some amazing progress! I don’t weigh, I only measure - and I lost 4+ inches from waist and only about an inch from hips, and thighs nothing so far. I’m not sure what kind of fasting you’re doing or why - but I think EF is only conducive for significantly obese folks or for specific autophagy healing regimens. Otherwise, RANDOM intermittent fasting keeps the body on its toes while it continues to do lot of organ repair and work on internal intra-abdominal/visceral fat that it prioritizes over subcutaneous fat. So that’s something to keep in mind!
Also, impaired lymphatic clearance is a thing for A LOT of people in industrial culture. (It’s also conceivable that in certain females the body hangs onto its shock absorption fat during extended fasting or everyday continuous IF even more!)
Lymphatic issues are real - the body’s history with sugars & carbs & nutritional deficiencies since childhood may mean gut/microbiome dysbiosis, a fatty or sluggish liver, and low grade tissue stress that has evolved to the point of tissue destruction such as varicosities and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). More research is happening on inflammation and how it is a huge factor, as well as nutritional deficiencies.
B-vitamins from beef liver, collagen from bone broth (taken with liposomal vit c for absorption & uptake), along with certain anti-inflammatory herbs/spices can do wonders over time. There’s a lot that’s reversable given the chance to change!
High cortisol due to both unmanageable stress and natural midlife lower tolerance of certain stresses due to maturity/gravitas is a very real thing - and belly fat accumulation as well as some degree of ‘dieter’s edema’ may be in play because of it. Fat in the booty/hips/thighs in females may be very slow to change, as it is where most of our shock absorption is! And makes the pear-shaped less susceptible to certain kinds of heart disease. The body is actually smart like that. It can and will recompose, but slowly - the hormonal orchestrations are vast.
I do strongly believe that the lack of spices and superfoods in both the Standard American Diet and also some versions of western LCHF/keto way of life can contribute to stagnation, congestion, and inflammation. Asian & African cultures who’ve traditionally eaten tons of Ginger and Turmeric along with other spices and herbs are known for their agile elders (up until just recently after the effects of more industrial fats and sugars) whilst western culture is more hit n’ miss, depending on regional cultures. I’ve found supplementing with Ginger root powder super helpful for lower body circulation and a bunch of other stuff. Turmeric is also similarly a superfood. Garlic is too, except it’s super-heating and can overheat/dry out the body in high/medicinal doses. Additional herbal allies that go back into western european herbalism like Horse Chestnut and Butcher’s Broom are amazing for circulation and anti-inflammation - they are just a lot pricier than Ginger.
This article is pretty fascinating on lymph matters: - it may or may not apply to you of course: https://www.wellnessresources.com/news/chronic-venous-insufficiency-managing-stagnant-fluids-and-inflammation-in-t
Ultimately as @Shortstuff points out, sticking with it and trusting the process is huge. And LCHF/keto is a lifelong process of restoration & recomposition. Those who are maintenance keto are still in a process of cultivating health & rejuvenation, etc.
. TYSM.