There seems to be evidence that all diets do this, faast22. You’ll find some links to reports and research in the Science threads. It’s partly that at a lower weight one needs fewer cals but also that the body becomes more efficient at using what it gets, more so than someone of a similar weight who has never dieted. The science of fasting is very helpful, though, as it tackles the issue of keeping insulin low for at least the fasting periods. Fat cells release their fat for energy if it’s needed only when insulin is not in the bloodstream, as this process is promoted by glucagon and glucagon can only work in the absence of insulin. But your system also has to need that energy and will use what is already in the bloodstream before bothering to open fat cells. So if you eat over what you need, it will get used first if it’s fat and any extra sugars will be turned to fat and will be shunted into your fatcells by insulin. If you are going over totals, eg for a night out, or weekend away, try to leave a good long gap between meals to help a bit, or maybe have very late breakfast. You’re right, it doesn’t seem to take much.

In addition, faast, I find that some foods turn to extra weight on my body more quickly than others. Discovered this by accident. And, yes, those foods are carbs. If you can isolate those foods which do the damage, you can eliminate them to see the result.