You're gaining weight on intermittent fasting (IF) likely because you're overeating calories during your eating window, making poor food choices (high sugar/refined carbs), eating too little (slowing metabolism), or not getting enough protein, alongside factors like stress, lack of sleep, and underlying health issues that affect hormones and metabolism, rather than the fasting itself. IF's success depends heavily on what and how much you eat, not just when.
Weight gain during intermittent fasting is possible if you consume more calories than you expend during eating periods. Monitor your calorie intake and make healthy food choices to support your goals. Explore my Quora Profile for more insights on managing weight with intermittent fasting.
Why You're Not Losing Weight With Intermittent Fasting
A person needs to decide on and adhere to a 12-hour fasting window every day. According to some researchers, fasting for 12 to 14 hours can cause the body to turn its fat stores into energy, which releases ketones into the bloodstream. This should encourage weight loss.
The researchers found that, on average, participants who followed intermittent fasting lost 4.3% percent of their starting weight after 2–12 weeks. Of the 27 studies, 12 compared intermittent fasting with traditional, calorie-restricted diets and found similar weight loss results between both approaches.
When learning how to intermittent fast for weight loss, it helps to keep in mind that intermittent fasting is not a quick weight loss method; it might take a while for you to lose your first kilogram. Some people lose about one kilogram per week, while others can drop up to 5 kilograms in one month.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Doctors are cautious about intermittent fasting (IF) due to potential risks like increased cardiovascular death (especially with <8hr windows), hormonal issues for women, muscle/bone loss, side effects (fatigue, headaches), risks for specific groups (diabetics, pregnant/elderly), and the lack of long-term data, with some studies showing similar benefits to general calorie restriction or suggesting risks that outweigh benefits, urging personalized medical advice.
Some of the ways she's lost weight include walking, eating more protein, and medication to help with how her body processes food. Clarkson started some of these changes to her diet and exercise routines when she moved to New York City, where she hosts "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
Yes, fasting from 7 PM to 7 AM (a 12-hour fast) works for many people as an easy entry into intermittent fasting, promoting weight loss (especially belly fat), better blood sugar, reduced hunger, and improved gut health by giving your digestive system a break overnight, but consistency and listening to your body are key for sustainable results, and you can drink water, black coffee, or tea.
Don't Break Your Fast
The golden rule in fasting is that it is a fast, this means no calories, no nutrients, no food. Even breaking the fast slightly with some food can throw severely limit the benefits you'd otherwise experience.
Weight loss blockers often include calorie creep (underestimating intake), a slowing metabolism as you lose weight, hormonal imbalances (like thyroid or cortisol issues), poor sleep, chronic stress, and not enough protein/too many processed carbs, leading to plateaus; addressing these involves adjusting calorie intake, increasing activity, improving diet quality (more protein/veggies, fewer sugars/refined carbs), managing stress, and ensuring sufficient sleep.
The worst carbs for belly fat are refined carbohydrates and added sugars, found in sugary drinks, white bread, pastries, and processed snacks, because they spike blood sugar and insulin, leading to increased fat storage, especially around the abdomen. While no single carb is solely responsible, these quickly digested, low-fiber options promote inflammation and insulin resistance, contributing to visceral (belly) fat.
Weight gain despite eating little can result from underestimating calorie intake, consuming high-energy or processed foods, lack of physical activity, dehydration, poor sleep, or hormonal imbalances like PCOS or perimenopause.
Under- or over-eating and poor diet quality can stop you from getting results. Consider working with a registered dietitian to optimize your food choices and adjust your fasting and eating window times. You may need to try a few different intermittent fasting plans to find one your body responds to.
The three popular approaches to intermittent fasting are:
She avoids processed foods and focuses on whole, nutrient-dense meals. Q: How much weight did Khloé Kardashian lose after her divorce? Khloé lost about 40 pounds after her divorce from Lamar Odom by making lifestyle changes, including exercise and a healthier diet.
In summary, losing thirty pounds on a 1200 calorie diet plan could realistically take around six months if all conditions remain favorable; however individual experiences may vary greatly!
Adele lost significant weight over two years through intense, consistent exercise (strength training, Pilates, hiking, boxing) and focusing on nutrition, driven by managing anxiety, rather than a specific diet, though she denied intermittent fasting or the Sirtfood diet despite reports. She worked with trainers, built muscle through weights, and exercised multiple times a day, prioritizing overall strength and well-being, not just weight loss, and stressed the importance of mental health in her journey, according to People.com and Vogue.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
As blood glucose levels fall during fasting, the pancreas secretes increased amounts of glucagon. This action also reduces insulin secretion, which in turn decreases glucose storage in the form of glycogen.
Regardless of the intermittent fasting form people choose, they tend to make the same five common mistakes:
Daily: The most common form of intermittent fasting is a daily fast for 12 to 16 hours. For a 16-hour fast, this would result in an 8-hour feeding window during a 24-hour period. A “16:8” fast might look like eating breakfast at 11am and finishing dinner by 7pm.
People naturally lose muscle after 40, especially women after menopause. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, this can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to shake those stubborn pounds.
According to fitness coach Raj Ganpath, losing 10 kg in 2-3 months is possible but highly unsustainable. He explains that to achieve this, you need a daily calorie deficit of about 1,300, which is extremely difficult to maintain.