I used that same app for a while, with the flames and the little burst of serotonin when you meet your goals. I dropped the idea of intermittent fasting pretty quickly because my body did not respond well - I would get painful cramping whenever I would break my fast. But as for the rest of this, I have seen versions of this described by nearly every woman I know who has ever tried to lose weight, it’s rare to see it from a man. Usually men just share their success stories and not their challenges - or they are less likely to fall victim to the societal pressure. For the record, that picture that shocked you so much into starting all this looks fine to me - better than fine. Like that could be a picture you use on a dating app. You look happy and healthy and I guess you were bothered by the folds of flesh at your waist? That just happens to human beings when they are folded and wearing harnesses. You never had a weight problem.