The FastDay Forum

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice as I am really struggling and starting to feel really demotivated!

I've just started my 4th week and am following it to the letter, even tracking my calories on feast days (it's interesting more than anything!), I lost 3lb in the first week but since then nothing and have actually gone back up to my starting weight today (admittedly, I did have quite a heavy bank hol weekend!). I've calculated my TDEE at around 1600 calories, so I am trying to restrict to this on feast days, although sometimes don't manage it and go to 2,000; I am never eating more than 500 on a fast day, usually across 2 meals (lunch and dinner), eating mostly soup, salads, stuffed veg etc (I'm vegetarian).

What's annoying is that my clothes are fitting better, and I can tell that I have 'lost weight', but I actually haven't; does this happen to other people?

To give some info about me, I'm 27 and currently just over 9 stone, looking to reduce down to around 8.5 initially, and am 5'1". I'm not as active as I could be but have been going on lots more walks and always take the stairs etc, so I wouldn't say that I'm unfit.

I'm starting to think I may just stop weighing myself as it's getting me down - I vary so much each day, I have changed scales part way through as well which could be a factor.

Any help or advice would be really greatly appreciated

What's annoying is that my clothes are fitting better, and I can tell that I have 'lost weight', but I actually haven't; does this happen to other people?

I'm starting to think I may just stop weighing myself as it's getting me down - I vary so much each day, I have changed scales part way through as well which could be a factor.

Hi Hayley, sorry to hear you are feeling a bit demotivated.

I am no expert and most of what I know is from reading other posts on here but I think what you are experiencing is not at all unique!

Do you measure as well as weigh? If your clothes are fitting better and you looking smaller I am sure you have lost inches!

I stopped weighing myself! Well, not quite true, I now only weigh monthly as the weekly variations were a bit demotivating. There is a whole thread on here about people weighing daily and various apps to work out averages etc but to be honest I couldn't be bothered! Everyone finds their own way to manage this WOE and you will too.

All I would say is keep going and stick with it. It is obviously doing some good if people are noticing you look smaller!

[Betsysgr8]

You say your clothes are looser and that's fantastic right there! I understand your desire for the scale to match but you did switch scales. Measure everywhere and write it down along with your weight. You can use the progress tracker here to log weight and waist measurement. In two weeks, do the measurements again and re-evaluate from there.

If you look at my progress tracker there were times my waist continued to shrink even as I GAINED weight. It's a funny and mysterious thing the way the body behaves.

Well, I am 5'2'' and have also lost very little weight since 8 April, but there is a noticeable difference in my body outline and I am feeling much more energetic. I have always had a very slow metabolism and even as a child was always on the plump side even though my Mother made sure I ate healthily and didn't overeat (dreaded the annual weigh in at school because I was never in the healthy range for my age, even though I ran around all day!)

Some good advice here already. I don't think you should place much reliance on a reading taken just after a big bank holiday, your gut will be full of food! I apparently put on about 3 lbs this weekend but although I certainly enjoyed it, I know most of that is just 'in transit' shall we say.

For measurements you either have to do a lot and then as Betsysgr8 says you will see the progress in some areas if not in others, or do them much more rarely and consistently - e.g. once a week or less often but always at the same time. I always used to weight on the morning after my 2nd fast day and before breakfast. This gives the most optimistic result but at least it is reasonably consistent. Now I am trying to maintain my weight and weighing more frequently - as you can see from my Progress Chart my weight is changing a lot, that's just what happens when you measure frequently.

Next up, how confident are you about your TDEE? Given your height and weight and that you don't do very much exercise I think it might be lower. What does the Tracker here say your 'sedentary' TDEE is? If say it is 1400 and not 1600, and if you have a couple of days a week when you go up to 2000, then with 2 x 500, 2 x 2000, 3 x 1600 you are actually eating your TDEE. Just a thought...

Hi Hayley, you're not alone, the same has just happened to me. Lost 1lb per week at first, stayed the same last week then gained this week. However, I am also noticing my clothes are looser and so am going to stick with it. I'm sure that as a long term plan it will work. Might as well keep going. What's the alternative? Tighter clothes again? Lol good luck

It's you again Wendy darling! We seem to be following the same pattern. Have lost average of lb per week but this week have gained. In my head I'm disappointed but I do feel thinner. Haven't been able to exercise but Dr given me the all clear to do anything that won't aggravate my hip pain (swollen ligaments/tendon but not hip joint)' belly not so bloated & feeling much more comfortable at end of day so must have lost inches instead. General advice is to stick with it, although I am tempted to include eating only during an 8 hour window & skip breakfast on normal days but still including 2 fasts per week. good luck x

It's you again Wendy darling! We seem to be following the same pattern. Have lost average of lb per week but this week have gained. In my head I'm disappointed but I do feel thinner. Haven't been able to exercise but Dr given me the all clear to do anything that won't aggravate my hip pain (swollen ligaments/tendon but not hip joint)' belly not so bloated & feeling much more comfortable at end of day so must have lost inches instead. General advice is to stick with it, although I am tempted to include eating only during an 8 hour window & skip breakfast on normal days but still including 2 fasts per week. good luck x

Sounds like me, apart from the hip problem. Hope that gets better soon amber. Was considering the 8 hour window myself...

Yes, it's me again at the risk of getting repetitive! Hi Amberenchanted and Basketcase. What do you think about mixing up 5:2 on 2 non consecutive days with 16:8 on 5 days in light of Moogies sticky ref extended fasting periods. Don't want to store up trouble!! See how easily I have learned the lingo? Ballerina would be the best person to advise on that I think. Pleased to hear that you are on the mend Amber. Do both of you have your progress charts visible? I would love to compare notes.
Apologies Hayley for running off with your thread

Thanks all, it's good to know that it's not uncommon at least! I think I'll have another look at my TDEE, and also try not to get so hung up about what it says on the scales - I guess long term it HAS to work and I'm feeling healthier and much more aware of what I'm eating so that's a start!

Wendy Darling - can you tell me how to show your progress chart? I'm feeling really stupid but I've been exploring around my profile and must be missing something right in front of my face...

[Moogie]

mummybunny2005: It's on your progress tracker settings page

hayleyemmajones: I would suspect much of the problem is down to the change in scales. I think most of us have found that a change in scales usually results in a slightly higher reading (guess old scales lose their accuracy? newer scales are built better? don't know?!) so don't fret at this early stage - keep on going and I'm sure you'll see those numbers go down!

i don't mean to sound snarky, but if your clothes are fitting better, you feel/look slimmer, and you feel healthier, then i don't think i know what the problem is? are you measuring waist, hips, thighs? if you're losing inches but not lbs, those measurements might help you feel more of an accomplishment?

or, maybe try switching things up for a week? liquid fast? 4:3?

Done, Moogie - thanks!

Hey, I know its so hard when the scales just stay the same or go UP! But as long as your clothes are feeling more comfortable it must be working. Plus you don't sound like you have much to loose, so you would plateau out I would think. Just keep doing what you are doing!