Thread: I'm on R1 and I start P3 on Sunday.... Really scared about maintenance

I'm really nervous too and start PH3 on Sunday as well. I go to a clinic and from what I understand that the instant weight gain is a factor if you're not using actual HCG for example the drops that only have a trace amount (I'm parroting what I was told and have no clue as to what I'm talking about :-). I spoke to someone who had the instant weight gain and she indicated the drops she had weren't the correct type. She's trying again with injections.

Buuut I'm still nervous too. PH2 was sooo regimented and fairly easy for me but I am getting tired of the same ol and kind of lost my interest in "jazzing" up the routine so kind of looking forward to the next phase. I'm partially nervous because I'm not an egg eater, I'm allergic to nuts...two food sources that seem to be important. I'm going to research protein powders so maybe I can make shakes with fruit for breakfast and have a piece of chicken or turkey sausage for the "chew" factor. Looking forward to tuna packs for snacks (no crackers though ) and trying a couple of the PH3 recipes like tacos with the cheese shell. I have to go to Vegas for a week so that's going to throw a wrench in things. I'm going to look for a portable protein shake to take with me and pack tons of tuna packs...lol

What are some of your ideas for PH3? Maybe sharing will help us with the nervousness and get through it! This will be my only round but I don't want to have to do a repeat round. Although I'm satisfied and would do it again the drying side affect of the diet wrecked havoc on my eczema and I had the worst break out I've had in years!

By the way...congrats on the great success in your first round!!!

I think the people who have the most trouble with gaining in P3 are those who immediately start adding a variety of foods at once. The important thing is to go slowly, adding one new food at a time. I lost weight in P3 on both rounds (and P4 too). I started out by adding some fat, and increasing my protein. Then I mixed my veggies and added some new ones, and increased fat some more. Since you can't have sugar and starch, the best way in increase your calories is to add fat. I also used protein shakes (Body Fortress from Walmart). I used them some in P2 for variety, but in P3 I made them bigger, and added cream to them. I didn't eat much fruit, just a few apples a week or a few frozen strawberries in a shake once in a while. Coconut oil was a big player, too (and still is!) In P4, I remained pretty low-carb so I could get to goal without another round. So don't freak out about starting P3...it's all about the choices you make, and you can make good ones!

I'm with you on this, I'm getting nervous! On one hand I am ready for P3 foods and some more variety, but I am a bit scared to leave the simplicity of P2. Plus I'm afraid to add things back too quickly, I really want to pinpoint what causes trouble for me. I have to go on a business trip about 2 days after I start P3 so I'm scared of what that will do as well. I'm no stranger to eating low carb, thankfully, so I know I can keep that in check. I decided to add back fattier meats and some dairy fats (cream and butter) to start, but I'm going to try and wait until I get back from the trip to add cheese-I heard it can cause some issues so I want to be able to watch the scale. Then a few days later I'll try eggs, and maybe a week later I'll try nuts. I did discover a nice stash of frozen guacamole packets in the freezer, so I think that will be my go-to calorie addition when I first make the move to P3. Maybe just try for quality over quantity?

So adding back slowly is the key? Maybe I won't alter what I'm eating too much from PH2 and just increase portion sizes, maybe add a variety of vegetables, start the Jay Robb shakes for breakfast with fruit (strawberries), add the tuna packs for snacks and a bit of dairy (2% milk) and string cheese for additional snacks. Keep the fruit to a minimum, I'm looking forward to adding peaches for some reason so stick to strawberries, peaches and apples. MAYBE some yogurt or cottage cheese here and there and see how that goes. I think I'm going to stay away from the recipes because it looks like there are several things like almond flour for one that are used but wasn't on my list of "approved" foods. Ease is key for me and if it starts to sound remotely difficult I'll get discouraged. I just want to stay where I'm at a lb or two less maybe...140 would be a new goal but that's as low as I want to go, I look better with SOME meat on my bones

Question...I don't see it mentioned much, if at all on the boards. Is anyone using an appetite suppressant? I see people complaining of hunger. I was prescribed phentermine which I've been taking and haven't experienced hunger. Every once in a while I get a familiar pang for like 30 seconds but most of the time I have to make myself eat. I'm hoping that's not going to be a downfall after I complete the prescription that I have. I have about 20 days left.

Thanks ladies for your tips...OP happy you started this thread, I've been nervous about this for the past week! Looking forward to tomorrow though!

Howdy all,
I started P3 last Tues. I also was nervous but I gotta tell ya, I'm loving it. I added new foods in slowly and haven't had an issue with anything yet. Even tried a few recipes. I do not feel hungry like I thought I would. I make sure I have plenty of protein throughout the day and drink lots of water. I did buy almond flour and whey protein drink and also the coconut oil. As of this morning I am down 3 lbs from when I quit taking the drops. So I'm not sure if I have really stablized or not. I am not counting calories. Just eating the right foods when I'm hungry and eat only till I'm satisfied. I have had a few snack size candy bars also and it hasn't affected anything. One thing I have stayed totally away from is starches. I am staying as low carb as possible. Which is hard for me since its a totally new way of eating for me and there is so much to learn.

I can sure understand the anxiety. I did round one last summer and lost 22 pounds which is big for me. I didn't have that much to lose and was so happy and it was really so easy. I just stayed right with the protocol and added back very very slowly. I kept my weight off for about 2 months with no problems. But when the holidays came around I started slipping up and pretty soon had gained 10 pounds back. I know now I have to stay strict. I am on day 7 of Round 2, Phase 2 and have lost 5 pounds. I am a happy camper. I know what I need to do this time so I plan on keeping this off forever.