Retaining fat during Ramadan on a deficit

halimaiqbal00

So I typically lose 1-2 pounds a week if I consume 1700 calories a week, working out 4x a week. During Ramadan, I've been consuming 1500 calories a day while maintained my workouts, which are focused around lifting and cardio.

I'm keeping my protein at around 80-100g whereas I normally consume around 120g. However, I'm retraining fat like crazy. I feel pudgier and awful. I'm not consuming junk either, all 'clean' foods moreorless.

This is so disheartening. I typically lose around 7 pounds during Ramadan but my body looks considerably worse than when I started a month ago!

What on Earth is going on? I thought starvation mode was a myth. I wear my hrm when I workout and I typically burn around 500 calories per workout. I should be losing a silly amount (although that's not my intention) and not gaining fat while in a deficit!

TavistockToad

Have you gained weight?

halimaiqbal00

No, lost a few pounds but gained fat according to my body fat precision scale. I know they aren't wholly accurate but I use them to determine a trend in fat levels and it's gone up

TavistockToad

halimaiqbal00 wrote: »

No, lost a few pounds but gained fat according to my body fat precision scale. I know they aren't wholly accurate but I use them to determine a trend in fat levels and it's gone up

Hydration can affect those scales, they aren't accurate at all.

halimaiqbal00

I'm weighing and tracking everything too so my calorie estimates are pretty accurate

sansob

Are you male or female? I've lost a good 6-7lbs during Ramadan. I'm a 5'3" F (32 yrs) on 1200 calories. I don't do seher and no workouts either during Ramadan. But I do eat a nutritious iftar.

halimaiqbal00

But even if I didn't use the scales, my midsection is definitely thicker and clothes are tighter. I'm so confused

halimaiqbal00

Female, 5' 7. Pretty active. 1200 calories is nowhere near enough for me. I lose a considerable amount on 1750 calories

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Are you having a heat wave like we are in the UK?

I'm a water ball right now due to it.

animatorswearbras

If you've lost a few pounds you will not have gained fat if you've been tracking accurately, you're probably just bloated from the fasting especially since it's summer and you're waiting so long between meals (I know I bloat like a balloon if I don't eat regular meals so have never been able to do an intermittent fasting diet), I'd carry on as you are and reassess next week when you go back to your normal eating habits. xxx Take care

cwolfman13

If you've lost weight, you haven't gained fat...you're bloated for one reason or another.

halimaiqbal00

Yes, it's absolutely boiling in the uk this past week and I have been out in the sun. This gives me hope! Thanks for the reply guys...I was feeling pretty down on myself but feel better after these replies

sansob

halimaiqbal00 wrote: »

Female, 5' 7. Pretty active. 1200 calories is nowhere near enough for me. I lose a considerable amount on 1750 calories

1750 does sound good but have you considered alternating between 1500-1750? Might help! Try only if you're comfortable with going down to 1500. (I'm no expert though

TavistockToad

sansob wrote: »

show previous quotes

halimaiqbal00 wrote: »

Female, 5' 7. Pretty active. 1200 calories is nowhere near enough for me. I lose a considerable amount on 1750 calories

1750 does sound good but have you considered alternating between 1500-1750? Might help! Try only if you're comfortable with going down to 1500. (I'm no expert though

OP is losing weight, she doesn't need to reduce her cals....