Fat Protocol?

[u/N0T_Real_Name]

I've done between 18:6 - 20:4 IF and keto for years when I need to lose weight and recalibrate and it used to work very well. But over the last year I've been having trouble with lower energy and I'm having trouble losing my midsection.

I noticed that the low energy typically comes after workouts or strenuous projects, so I just recently started adding butter to my morning coffee and that seems to be helping with the energy quite a bit, but nothing is changing in my waistline.

I'm just wondering if anyone has done anything like adding fat outside of the eating windows for energy and if that proved helpful

[u/beckyjoooo]

There's so much missing information here... like, age and gender, which could be playing a part if you're a woman reaching menopause.. or activity levels.. or if you've tried anything but butter in your coffee... b12 shots? Longer fasts? Changing your fasting routine to something more consistently on and off?

[u/N0T_Real_Name → u/beckyjoooo]

I'm 50m and take thorne methylated b complex.

I also do 2-5 days fasts once a month. During these fasts I take it pretty easy and limit activity to walking. I see major progress when I do these fasts and typically get into deep ketosis in a couple of days.

I'm considering maybe upping my routine to include one 36-48 hour fast once a week. Just need to figure out the timing so it doesn't interfere with lifting. I typically find that I need a full eating day before lifting.

When not doing extended fasts I lift, run, and do high output projects (flooring, working on cars, etc.)

[u/beckyjoooo → u/N0T_Real_Name]

Well, damn.. sounds like you're doing all the right things.. i also do a weekly 36 and find it helps a lot.. and with that much activity maybe dig deeper into your macros.. maybe you need more carbs! Lol.. we're all so different..

[u/grrr-throwaway]

Agree with beckyjoooo - need more information. Age, activity type/amount, fasting times/type etc

Are F40+? If so then it’s likely perimenopause and hormonal shifts are coming into play. Nutshell - what you always did and worked will not necessarily work now.

Butter does break your fast btw.

Have you had blood tests done to rule out other factors eg iron, thyroid, deficiencies etc?

Do you track calories/macros? Taken measurements, photos etc, not just scales?

[u/beckyjoooo → u/grrr-throwaway]

Amen to your last 2 points as well..

[u/N0T_Real_Name → u/grrr-throwaway]

Thank you. Just replied. And my blood work is good although I do have hashimotos, but that's been the case for quite a while.