Question

I'm confused and need help! For those on maintenance, did you have to play around with macros and figure out what worked best? I reached goal and have been dragging my feet on moving to maintenance due to covid and lack of access to clinic (been maintaining). I went to clinic last week to get my sheet for maint, but coach was not there and front desk doesn't know when/if she will be back. They gave me paperwork that says 50% of my weight = protein grams for my maintenance plan. Um, that's 60g (x 4cal) or 240 calories. This means I'd be at 18% protein macro (less if I add 250 calories to BMR), and the bulk will be carbs + a little fat. That sounds wrong. Heavy carbs and my body don't love each other. In all other phases, we're at a much higher protein macro ratio. I called and they suggested 40 (protein)/35/25 but that's like 126g which seems too high based on what I've been eating during the program. I can call again, but I'm getting frustrated. Can't we just stay on old ph3/new ph2?! Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.  

Answer 1

Believe me it is different per person. I worked with my coach to determine max TOTAL carbs and protein I could eat and not gain weight. It took about 6-8 weeks to dial it in. I have maintained for two years without anymore than a three pound fluctuation. My maintenance works at 100-110 TOTAL CARBS AND 110-120 Protein. My height is 5’5. My weight is 138. I am 64. I work out aggressively with a personal trainer twice a week and by myself 3-4 times a week. My percent body fat is 22. My SMM is 62 pounds. My Visceral fat is 5. I use FitnessPal to record my intake. And, I weigh, measure and count everything - no guessing and I don’t cheat or kid myself. I average 1750 to 1850 cals a day.  

Comments

Thanks so much. Maintaining for 2 years is great news. This feels like the hardest part of the program. Right now, I'm feeling in the dark, but some paths forward are opening (phew! ). I haven't started working out but that's next once I'm in maintenance. Your story reminds me patience is needed. I love that your weight hasn't fluctuated more than 3 lbs. very inspiring!  

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I maintained for 2 years as well with the "old" maintenance plan, until this last holiday season. I jumped back on the P1 lost my weight and my coach recommend I try to maintain with the new IP protocol. It's definitely a lot different, but doable and does seem to give more freedom in certain ways. She let me know if I don't care for the new protocol I can go back to old maintenance

Answer 2

My coach calculated everything for me. 40 g net carbs, 6 servings of fat then 6. 5 servings of protien. Use the food list you should have received with your paperwork to make your selections of food. After eating that way for a week my coach and I determined that was too much food for me so we backed my servings down to 6. 5 protien, 4 servings of fat, and 35g net carbs. Unfortunately I'm not sure how she calculated my servings and grams of carbs

Comments

I wonder if I didn't get everything in my folder that I was supposed. I have a list, but it's more like a sheet of proteins, veggies, etc - similar to the sheets from prior phases but a little more expanded. I'm good, I think with the net 40 carbs and the fat but not the protein. The front desk explained some high points, but when add up calories, it doesn't even equal BMR. This tells me something is wrong. I really appreciate your insights. Thank you.  

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@dale3, I wish I could help you calculate. Calculating macros and tracking macros stresses me out. I was happy to find out only count servings aside from net carbs. I'll see if I can find my food list that has all kinds of food suggestions and post it for you

Answer 3

You keep eating all 4 cups of P1 veggies each day but in maintenance they don't count towards anything, they're "free"

Answer 4

Hi! I am going to send you a message

Comments

Check your "message requests" if you don't see it in your inbox :)

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Thanks! Saw it and responded  

Answer 5

Regardless of what is provided to you, I think you are going to find you need to play around with it. I found doing keto/IF the best for me for maintenance- it took me years to figure that out - why, I don’t know as it seems so logical now as if you are losing on a keto protocol why wouldn’t you continue a keto or low carb lifestyle for maintenance - just with some adjustments in macros. The thought seems so easy now - it boiled down to a lack of education because once I educated myself on it, it was a game changer as it stopped wild weight swings that I struggled with my whole adult life. Educating myself I now know why. I found Dr. Eric Berg and his videos and they are great as they are so easy to understand and spot on. It is so liberating to be free of cravings that would always trip me up in maintenance.