think you may have cut back too much on the maple syrup. 1½ teaspoofuls of maple syrup equals only ½ Tablespoon. The recipe calls for 2 Tablespoons, a little less for weight loss, but I wouldn't go lower than 1 full Tablespoon. Your body is absorbing the lemon juice and the cayenne, but is starved for energy in the form of carbs so it's probably holding on to all it can as far as weight goes. You are running on a mere 300 calories a day. Increase the maple syrup to 1½ - 2 Tablespoons for a day or two and see if that doesn't help.