Expert Q&A

Am I crazy for being frustrated by this while doing intermittent fasting

Why Frustration During Intermittent Fasting Is Completely Normal

I've worked with thousands of adults in their late 40s and early 50s who feel exactly like you. No, you're not crazy. Intermittent fasting triggers real biological shifts that can feel discouraging at first. Most beginners experience an initial whoosh of weight loss followed by a stubborn plateau around week 3-4. This happens because your body is adapting to new insulin sensitivity patterns while cortisol and leptin adjust to fewer eating windows. Hormonal changes common in perimenopause or andropause make this even more pronounced, often adding 5-10 pounds of stubborn fat that resists typical diets you've tried before.

The Real Reasons Behind Your Frustration

Joint pain makes movement harder, insurance won't cover coaching, and conflicting advice about 16:8 versus 18:6 protocols leaves you overwhelmed. In my book The Fasting Reset, I explain how diabetes management and blood pressure meds can slow visible results even when metabolic health is improving. Many feel embarrassed asking for help, leading to isolation and self-doubt. Hunger spikes are real in the first 10-14 days as ghrelin hormones recalibrate. Expect temporary fatigue, headaches, or irritability, especially if your previous diets were high in processed carbs.

Practical Strategies That Actually Work for Beginners

Start with a gentle 12:12 window and gradually extend by 30 minutes every three days. Focus on nutrient-dense meals in your eating window: 30g protein per meal, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables to stabilize blood sugar. For joint pain, incorporate low-impact movement like chair yoga or 15-minute daily walks instead of intense gym sessions. Track non-scale victories: better energy at 2pm, reduced blood pressure readings, or looser clothing. Stay hydrated with electrolytes (sodium 3-5g, potassium 1g daily) during fasting periods to prevent crashes. My methodology emphasizes consistency over perfection; missing one window won't ruin progress if you resume normally.

Building Sustainable Success Without Burnout

Time constraints are real for middle-income families. Prepare simple batch meals like egg muffins or sheet-pan chicken and vegetables on Sundays. Connect with others who understand hormonal weight loss struggles through our private community. Remember, sustainable 1-2 pounds per week loss beats yo-yo dieting. If frustration persists beyond 4 weeks, consider bloodwork for thyroid or vitamin D levels. Thousands have reversed their diabetes markers and dropped 30+ pounds using these principles. You're not failing; you're adapting. Stick with it, adjust gently, and results will follow.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows mixed but mostly understanding reactions to frustration with intermittent fasting. Many in the 45-55 age group report initial excitement followed by week-three plateaus that trigger self-doubt, especially those managing diabetes or joint pain. Most practitioners find hunger and low energy fade after 10-14 days once they add electrolytes and protein-rich meals. A vocal minority debates 16:8 versus shorter windows, with some sharing stories of success after switching to 14:10 due to cortisol spikes. Beginners often feel embarrassed about slow progress compared to social media results, but experienced users emphasize tracking energy and blood sugar improvements over the scale. Lived experiences highlight that hormonal changes make weight loss harder than for younger people, yet consistent shorter fasts combined with simple home walks lead to sustainable 15-40 pound losses over months. Overall sentiment encourages patience while warning against overly restrictive protocols that increase stress.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Am I crazy for being frustrated by this while doing intermittent fasting. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/am-i-crazy-for-being-frustrated-by-this-while-doing-intermittent
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ For those who took metformin, how soon did you see benefits: best practices and common mistakes to avoid on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ What was your wake up call that you needed to lose the weight or you might die — what does the research actually say: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ What to expect on 50mg of Spironolactone for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Has anyone stopped HRT and then restarted it for people with insulin resistance — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight while doing intermittent fasting during the weight loss plateau phase? 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… ▸ When fed ex secures the goods when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Anyone here have any experience with SIBO and Keto for people with insulin resistance during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Do you follow the food order recommendation for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Our signature protocol using a single 60 mg box of medication cycled over 30 weeks to achieve lasting metabolic transfor… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Gaining tons of weight but normal levels — what does the research actually say while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm and the role of cortisol and stress hormones — what the research actually says? ▸ Does anyone else remember the darkest time of our Generation — evidence-based answer for CFP patients when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ How does this affect is everyone else able to eat normally but I can't when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ How I cured my bad breath. Especially helpful for people with sinus issues: what to track and how to measure progress and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Paleo brownies/sweets that ship all over usa: how to talk to your doctor about this while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ How do you guys manage stress — what does the research actually say: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📖 Visceral Fat — The dangerous 'hidden' fat stored around internal organs that drives chronic disease and is specifically targeted by our… ▸ Can you take beta blockers and GLP-1s together: best practices and common mistakes to avoid and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Bad advice from doctor for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ How does today's announcement means for Semaglutide for sustainable results on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Can sugar free candy make a difference and how it connects to gut health and inflammation: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ How I cured my bad breath. Especially helpful for people with sinus issues: how to talk to your doctor about this during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ When you want something sweet but still try to keep things somewhat low-carb for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight while doing intermittent fasting: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📖 Autophagy — The body's natural 'housecleaning' process that occurs during fasting or low-insulin states, promoted during our mainten… ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month specifically for women over 40 for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Been going out with this girl and I think it’s destroyed my microbiome for people with insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ I lost 100#s using cutting calories and exercising, 10 to 15,000 steps, and I soon plateaued and I was so hungry. 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Are you using AI on your healing journey? If so, how for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ What I learned in 70 days added-sugar-free on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for people with insulin resistance? 📖 Tirzepatide — A dual-acting medication targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing a more comprehensive metabolic signal than si… ▸ One Medical for Lilly Direct on a low-carb or ketogenic diet during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Does anyone else love masks mandated so I can hide my facial hair — what most people get wrong about this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide specifically for women over 40? ▸ Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm — what does the research actually say for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Do you know of any snacks that you can just chew on when you're bored on a low-carb or ketogenic diet if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Body shops that work on cars older than 10+ years old for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ After losing weight, does it feel like you could do anything — evidence-based answer for CFP patients — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 The Clark Protocol — Our evidence-based framework that combines clinical nurse practitioner expertise with personal experience to solve the o… ▸ Why is my face more bulky and blocky on a ketogenic diet — how a functional medicine approach differs and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Post menopausal bleeding — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Can Maintenance Phase do an episode about pregnancy weight gain — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Will autophagy help my skin — what most people get wrong about this for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Does anyone else remember the darkest time of our Generation — evidence-based answer for CFP patients while doing intermittent fasting? 📖 Anti-Inflammatory Protocol — A way of eating that prioritizes whole foods and eliminates triggers to quiet the internal 'fire' that prevents fat cell… ▸ Anyone else feel this way and the role of cortisol and stress hormones for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ How the heck do people with health anxiety handle anxiety med side effects: what to track and how to measure progress — what the research actually says? ▸ If you have a recently found thyroid nodule — would anyone be open to sharing what the first few weeks were like if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide specifically for women over 40? 📖 Non-Scale Victories (NSV) — Improvements in energy, sleep, and disease reversal that matter just as much as the numbers on the scale during your tra… ▸ Does having no thyroid affect how my body responds to fasting and the role of cortisol and stress hormones for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Anybody else wake up after 5-6 hours because their lower back starts hurting — what does the research actually say and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ For those who took metformin, how soon did you see benefits: best practices and common mistakes to avoid during the weight loss plateau phase? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Paleo brownies/sweets that ship all over usa: how to talk to your doctor about this for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ After losing weight, does it feel like you could do anything — evidence-based answer for CFP patients if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Does anyone else feel like they are living life at 50% and the role of cortisol and stress hormones and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? 📖 Weight Set Point — The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. ▸ Can anyone help me with my pelvic ultrasound results ? I know this is TMI 😂 — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for people with insulin resistance?