18:6 for 7 months, lost 34 lbs then stalled for 9 weeks - here's what finally worked

Background: F/42/5'6" | SW: 183 | GW: 145 | CW: 149 Started 18:6 in August 2025. Eating window 12pm-6pm. First 5 months were incredible:- Aug-Dec: Lost 34 lbs (183 → 149)- Felt amazing, energy high, mental clarity best it's ever been- Clothes went from size 14 to size 8 Then... nothing. Absolutely stuck at 148-151 for 9 solid weeks (Jan-March 2026). What I tried:- Narrowed window to 20:4 (OMAD) - no change- Extended 36-hour fasts twice a week - temporary water loss only- More exercise - got hungrier, no weight loss- Less exercise - no change- Cut calories to 1300 - metabolism tanked, gained 2 lbs- Increased calories to 1800 - maintained, didn't lose I was ready to give up. Thought maybe 149 was just "my body's set point." What finally broke it:- Went back to 18:6 (stopped stressing about OMAD)- Ate at 1600 calories (calculated TDEE minus 300)- Protein minimum: 100g (I was at like 60-70g before)- Strength training 3x/week (even just 20 min bodyweight)- A thermogenic my doctor recommended (caffeine-free because I can't do stimulants - they mess with my sleep and I already struggle with that) The thermogenic was interesting - has something called p-synephrine from citrus extract. Doctor said it helps with fat oxidation during fasting without breaking the fast (zero calories). Results 5 weeks later:- Down to 143 lbs (6 lbs lost, plateau officially DEAD)- Losing 1-1.5 lbs per week again- Energy back up- Fasting feels easier (less hunger at hour 16-17) I think the combination of adequate protein + strength training + the thermogenic kickstarted my metabolism again. I was probably in "starvation mode" from under-eating protein and over-restricting. Anyone else break a long plateau? I'd love to hear what worked for you. via /r/intermittentfasting https://ift.tt/XQFkiet https://ift.tt/WCo1b38