You can post pictures in your comments below! Please feel free to share your P3 living stuff you're doing to help other P3toLifers visualize and get ideas for how to do this!
Disclaimer: Intermittent fasting is considered a controversial topic by some AND depending on your health may not be a good idea- so you are responsible for checking with your doctor or medical professional before doing this. I am not a medical professional and the following are just my opinions based on my own experience and the research that I've done. There are quite a few books that expound on both the history and proof of the efficacy of fasting and I firmly believe in it's use, when done the right way, myself.
Stabilizing within 2 lbs with the use of steak days/fasting days
I have some articles on my blog - at hcgchica.com - that are free that describe that there may be scenarios when it isn't logical to stabilize in the 2 lbs window or may be impossible for various factors- so for now, you can check that out.
But in a nutshell, it seems wise to utilize steak days 1 day at time, but again, I wouldn't use the back to back EVEN IF I'm still over the 2 lb window. Becoming stable is really the main goal- whether it's a couple lbs higher to me isn't the point.
Rayzel,
I am just starting P3 and am wondering what weight I use for my 2 Lb rule. I was just finishing my period on my last day of drops. On the 3 days without drops I lost another 2 lbs. Do I use the lowest number as my ending weight to know if I need a steak day?
Thank you,
Carin
Hey there! The 2lb is your weight on the scale the day of your last dose of hCG – not your final weight when you begin P3 (there’s that 72 hours in between) – i have an article on this here: https://hcgchica.com/the-72-hours-before-phase-3-starts-hcg-diet/ I hope this helps you! I know it’s temping to use your very lowest weight, but please don’t, you’ll only drive yourself crazy! If you lose or stay that way naturally great, but Dr. S’s advice was sound.
I’m trying not to panic… but I am very concerned… I am on day 3 (lunch) of P3 and I’ve gained 6.4 lbs. I weighed first thing this morning… [1% fat gain, 1.3% muscle gain, and 1.9% water LOSS per my biometric scale]. This is my biggest fear… I have followed everything perfectly to the letter… I am JUST now starting to feel like I am getting enough energy back to start taking walks, so I am guilty of not exercising. My ToM is due, so I am telling myself that could be a factor both in the last weigh in and now, but I don’t know. Is it too soon to do a fast day? I’m just kinda terrified deep down that I’m going to gain everything back even though I am following the plan (no other diet EVER worked for me before even when I was perfect on them… I was convinced I was cursed). PLEASE HELP BEFORE MY CHEEKBONES GO BACK INTO HIDING :'(
Sorry.. forgot to mention I did eat the morning fruit but no melba while in P2. I don’t know if “half in” the fruit/melba category equates to glycogen gain… honestly if it STOPS at 6.4 lbs gained I’ll be marginally disappointed, but 99% happy with that (especially considering I have already hired a trainer to teach me kettle bells and bought a series of yoga courses at a local studio, so exercise is immanent). I just didn’t expect so much so fast… sorry for the long post/PS post..
No worries at all girl, I want to help- okay I tell you what- can you actually email me at [email protected] so I can more easily go back and forth with you with emails and ask questions and get more detailed? If you do today I will reply back today okay! BTW those scales are fairly innaccurate when it comes to gauging water/fat/muscle okay? Let’s not panic and we will try to see what’s going on!
Just email to say it’s you and then I will reply with all my questions so we can start troubleshooting okay!
Wait what was your advice ? This is me today! 4.6lbs TOM today and followed plan perfectly. P3 day 2. Should I keep 500 kcal going or cut fruit and stick for a couple days or do a steak day?
Hey Desiree!
By P3 day 2 do you mean you are really in P3? I got confused by your 500 calorie suggestion- are you actually on the 3 day transition period still before day 1 of real P3 starts?
Best way to get detailed help is if you email k? [email protected] then we can troubleshoot! I’m here for ya! – Rayzel
This is soooo depressing. I know I read that if you didn’t eat the fruit and Melba on P2 you will gain 5-7 lb as your glycogen stores refill but watching this happen is really difficult for me. Next time (since I have probably one more round of P2 in my future) I will eat the fruit and lose less. I was 135 at my LIW, lost another 1.4lbs in the 72 hours and then the next day went to 134.8 then 137.6 (did a steak day) and this morning I am 139. I know it should be only the 5 lbs of glycogen rebuilding but eating clean P3 doesn’t matter and I feel my body is working against me which I guess it is but for good reason. I will say that I am looking a bit less wrinkly (I’m 61) which is also probably the glycogen stores rebuilding. I’m going to read all the stuff on fasting now but since I felt like I was fasting during P2 I think my ability to deprive myself is at an all time low. My only cheats so far are almond butter, a bit of hard cheese and full fat milk in my tea which tastes amazing….. used the mug bread for dessert last night and it tasted wonderful. I travel 4 nights a week so frozen desserts are not an option, I do have access to a microwave though so I’m trying the mug breads. I’m loving the P3 to life course, bought the Instand Pot but it arrived last Sunday so I only got to make one dish before I left on Monday. The meatballs are fab! I’m glad to have your recipes to break in my instant pot.
Cheers, Shawn
Hi Shawn! I know it can be hard to accept that whole glycogen thing- and I hear you that sometimes mentally/emotionally one might find it easier to just never lose the glycogen stores to begin with. Also being glycogen depleted has that super lean look that so many find attractive which goes away too lol. but I do think in time we can all develop a healthier view of what a good looking healthy body looks like. Crossfit has really helped me adjust what I now perceive as attractive in a body, very different from how I used to view it, and I can honestly say that even with my thicker thighs and all those glycogen stores (I have more now since muscle stores it and I have about 20 more muscle than the average person my height now), I feel really good looking at my body and feel it’s healthy and attractive- even though it might be bigger or thicker looking than someone who eat 10 carbs a day. More importantly, this is the body I can easily maintain in that I’m very happy and content with how I eat on a daily basis these past 5 years. I think that’s what really counts. We have to embrace this whole picture right! I’ve read so many blogpost and IG posts of women who are getting ready for their fitness competitions and they seem to LOOK SO amazing, and yet, later they write about how miserable they are and how obsessed with food they have to be and how their families aren’t happy because they literally are in a relationship with their nutrition and training instead of their family. I mean that is just so not worth it right! So glad you are making use of the mug breads! I have a couple more muffin recipes coming out soon in weeks 4 and 5 that I think will be perfect for you to be able to take with you already cooked on your travel!