10+ Pounds gained In a week?

I started a 16/8 intermittent fasting schedule to help lose weight, I've been monitoring my calories and have kept them between 2,000 and 2,500. I've also been doing light exercise every day, but somehow according to my scale I've gained about 12 pounds. Im pretty sure it's not possible to gain that much in fat in such short time so I'm not sure what's going on and I've gotten discouraged.

Answer

Raised cortisol levels can make you gain water weight quickly. Your body may not respond to intermittent fasting well. I would suggest easing into it, for example one day IF and the next regular eating schedule. I only fast when I feel like it, otherwise I retain water especially in my stomach area.

Answer

Carbs hold onto water…. That’s why initial weight loss is super drastic for people.. that’s the water weight from carb heavy diets…

So maybe you started eating carbs again

Try eating low carb + 0 sugar for 1 week and weigh yourself after

Answer

Impossible. Scale is wrong/you’re eating more. Probably the scale. You can’t gain 12 lbs. of fat in a week, even if you tried to, and especially not while attempting to diet. Water weight and scale are the culprits.