The community validates the idea that rapid and significant weight loss via prolonged fasting causes a temporary perceptual mismatch, where the brain takes time to integrate its new physical appearance.

noli's read

The phenomenon described, often called 'mirror syndrome' or self-image lag, is a documented psychological aspect of rapid body transformations. Cognitively, the brain possesses an internal representation of our body (body schema) that requires an adjustment period during sudden changes, as observed in cognitive psychology studies on self-image. While weight loss is real, the practice of prolonged fasting (more than 40 hours) remains debated: research, notably meta-analyses on intermittent fasting (e.g., review in Annual Review of Nutrition), confirms efficacy for weight loss, but emphasizes that very restrictive rhythms can induce metabolic risks or deficiencies if intake is not optimized. The risk of gallstones, raised by a member, is a clinically documented reality during rapid weight loss, regardless of the method (observational). In short, the psychological experience is valid, but the intense fasting method used carries real physiological risks that require vigilance. The community generally converges toward enthusiastic support, despite a few isolated voices expressing doubts about the sustainability and caution of this approach.

the sources

1. 1r/intermittentfasting