Calorie Deficit with little weight loss

Me Age: 30 Male Height: 5’10 Start Weight: 190lbs Body Fat % Est: 26% Workout: 4 times a week (PPL+FB) Walking: 10 to 12K steps daily Calories: 1900 (I have had zero cheat days over the past 30 days) Protein in grams per day: Never lower than 150

Problem: I am aggressively cutting calories, and I definitely feel like I look better than before, but I haven’t lost much weight. I am currently at 187lbs and have only lost 3lbs. (I know a pound a week is usually good, but with the deficit I am currently on, I thought I would have lost at least 2lbs a week. What could be the issue?

Backstory: Athletic in high school. Got married, got older, became skinny fat. In 2022, I worked out, ate at the same calorie intake I am on right now (1900 cal.) for 75 days, and went from 188 to 162lbs. Now in 2025, I haven’t touched a weight in over 3 years, and I am back to being skinny fat (on the verge of just being fat), and I want to change. Also, I didn’t take any body measurements before my cut. This was a mistake, and I probably should have done that.

Weighing process: I weigh myself every morning after I pee and poop. I then take an average of my weight for the week.

Calories: When I say I am counting calories, I mean, I am COUNTING THEM. If I kiss my wife’s cheek after her workout, I count it as 10 calories. Also, after I count calories after every cooked meal, I add 50 calories just in case I miscalculated or the label was off. Trust me when I say, I am counting every freaking calorie that touches my lips.

Current program: Again, I feel like I have lost weight just by looking in the mirror, but the scale says something very different. And I get that “weight” is just one metric, but still.. I should be losing more weight, right? Also, I’ve locked in this time around, which is why I am confused as to why I am not losing weight. In 2022, I didn’t do much lifting research and just kinda found online lifting workouts and did them. However, now, in 2025, I have done extensive research. I have a lifting program where almost all of my lifts are to failure. I do about 10 to 15 sets per muscle group per week, and I am very observant of progressive overload and have never lifted harder or more intensely in my entire life (and I love it).
I also intermediate fast from 9 pm til 3:30 pm. I really enjoy it, and my hunger levels are very manageable.

Thought #1: At first, I thought the weight was muscle because of “noobie gains”, but then after some searching, I don’t think I can put on 2 to 3 pounds of muscle within a month. Thoughts?

Thought #2: My wife gave birth to our daughter 5 weeks ago, and she is a very particular and fussy baby, and my sleep has been affected. I sleep around 3 to 5 hours every night, but I am getting 8 hours on the weekends. Seems like lack of sleep affects weight loss, but what I found was that it affects it mostly because of your appetite, and I haven’t eaten over 1900 calories once in 30 days. Thoughts?

Thought #3: Is my deficit too low? I know this has some effect, but from what I have learned, it is based on how you feel as well, and I feel great. I don’t feel my energy level has dropped much at all. Also, I did the same calorie deficit in 2022 and had quicker results. Thoughts?

Thought #4: In 2022, I made sure I drank a gallon of water every single day. Now, in 2025, I just drink when I am thirsty and don’t track my water intake. Is this an issue?

I could be worrying about nothing, but man, there’s something about looking down at the scale and seeing improvement. Let me know if you see any red flags above, and give me some advice on what I can do to improve, or if I am just a big baby and need to be patient. Thanks Guys.