Moved from Fasting as no traffic there...

[purplexylaphone]

I've copied and pasted my post from the Fasting / 5:2 board as I've had no replies,hope that's ok!

I started intermittent fasting two weeks ago. Initially I did 16:8, then this week have done a few 20:4.

I weighed myself this morning and I'm already 6lb down. That seems quite ridiculous to me! My clothes are definitely looser, which is great. I'm assuming that's it's water that's made up most of the loss so it'll level off now, yes? And is there a chance I'll get heavier again even if I continue with the fasting (seems odd but that's the impression I get from the FB group I'm on).

And, I'm worried about my electrolyte levels, should I be? I'm only having water / black or green tea when fasting, but am eating normally when not. I feel fine. Do I need do be doing anything else?

Thanks!

I do 16:8 and have done for some years. In conjunction with calorie counting I either lose weight or maintain. If you feel fine when fasting then don't worry about the electrolytes. I'm still here!

Initial large amounts of weight loss are going to be water. You simply can't get rid of fat at that rate. The rate of loss should reduce but if you keep to a calorie deficit you should continue to lose. Keep the deficit sensible, though, and don't try to go too fast. If you put weight on then your calories are too high, your hormones are playing up and causing you to retain water, you've pigged out on carbs or eaten too much salt (which causes water retention), or you've started to exercise and built a bit of muscle. Water weight can fluctuate quite a bit. So long as your clothes get looser then you are on the right track whatever is happening on the scales.

I'm doing 16:8 and I have lost 9lb in a month. I think as long as you maintain a calorie deficit you should be able to lose 1-2lb a week. There are some great Youtube videos from Jordan Syett www.youtube.com/channel/UCZk-b1KyEL9rovh7zdfw_lg that explain why weight loss isn't ever completely linear, but there's no reason you should put on loads.