Quote:
Originally Posted by Photogirl30
Hello everyone! I'm new to these forums but I thought I would give it a try! I'm wondering how many of you are in stage 4 of Ideal Protein or if any of you are totally finished with the diet? I'm just wondering what to expect when it's over? I know I can maintain a healthier lifestyle however, it is not realistic to think that I will never eat carbs, sugar, cheese etc again for the rest of my life. I'm wondering how people are doing at stage 4 and when they are totally done with the diet. Thanks!
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Hi
Photogirl I started P4 near the end of Feb - I phased off just before so I could be on P4 when I went on vacation. So for my first 3 to 4 weeks of P4 I just tried to eat sensibly according to the guidelines, just common sense eating, separating fats and carbs, some indulgences but nothing overboard. You know, like a normal person
And yes, I ate carbs, sugar cheese - even wine and beer! And I maintained my weight, with a few lbs up and down during that time, came home just half lb up from when I left. So that tell me that it can be done just by applying the principle we learned during the other phases.
However, I have to say that, since I got back home, I've been logging my food into MFP because I want to get more information about what I'm eating and how the calories/macros look. I'm finding it quite interesting (though I've only been back a week) but I'll keep using MFP for awhile and I'm sure it'll help me make adjustments, see where I'm too high/too low. Longer term (probably much longer
- when I feel more confident that I'm not gonna crash and burn) I'm not sure I'll keep journaling so religiously. I may just do what I did on vacation, fly by the seat of my pants so to speak, and just eat with common sense. But I plan to definitely eat like a normal person, eat all the foods I enjoy...just more carefully
Quote:
Originally Posted by DottieAnn
Hello! I am into my 4th day of phase 4 and I think I messed up, having too many carbs (such as pasta and a potato in my dinner meal). Thinking I could choose 2 carbs for that meal (not sure why). So with doing that I feel really full of course and I swear I have gained fat (especially in my tummy area). So since its just day 4, should I just get back on track or do I do a phase 1 day? I feel like I really messed up everything, yikes!!!  Phase 4 is confusing when first starting but I am so happy that I did the ideal protein program! I have lost 83 pounds in 12 months, reached my goal weight of 150!!! Anybody else relate to this? |
DottieAnn Congratulations on the great loss, and welcome to P4!!!
I'm pretty new to P4 as well, and still figuring it out. Are you using MFP? I find it helps me to see if I've gone too far above the guidelines - especially in carbs and calories. Hard to say if your 2 carbs meal were a "splurge" and enough to warrant a P1 day, but it can't hurt to do one day (or even just a lower carb day). Don't forget, it takes 3500 calories to gain a lb, the bloating could be temporary. One day is NOT going to mess it all up
- I've learned that from all the other maintainers who continue to post their experiences.
Stage 4 and beyond
