I think this is helpful to share so that people can see that keto works for some but not others and also how Keto and P3toLife differ from each other. The email that sparked this topic was from a woman who was doing Keto on P3 and gaining weight even on rather low calories (1100-1200 cals) – she had bought P3toLife but hadn’t actually delved into yet and there was confusion as she thought P3toLife was a keto plan.
Original emails for context: I have emailed in a few times because I was concerned with my P3 ups and downs. I am still technically “ok” my LIW was 145. I am currently 146. At first coming off HCG I lost weight and loved it! I was down 142.8 ish. However, since I’ve been reading and trying to increase my calories so my body doesn’t go into “starvation mode” I have been gaining weight. Still not over the 2 lbs line – LIW but I have been gaining so can you help me understand how this Keto concept of, more macros more calories (the smart way) is better and will help me drop weight? I am tracking it all I am 70% fat, 20% protein 10% carb but I just see this and feel the weight and want to go back to 1000 calories a day. That is not healthy correct? Can you help?
Me:
To be honest, since my P3tolife program is not ketogenic, I’m really just not well versed in helping people pursue a ketogenic way of eating so I’m not sure I know what to suggest. In P3tolife, the calories are already at 900-1000 the first week and ladies are up to 1500 calories by week 3 – this is working well with the macros layout for almost everyone but is very different from ketogenic macros- for example, here is the macro percentage breakdown for a few of the various days on P3tolife:
- Week 1, Day 1= 42% fat, 31% protein, 27% carbs
- Week 2, Day 1 = 39% fat, 37% protein, 24% carbs
- Week 3, Day 5 = 56% fat, 27% protein, 19% carbs
This is a fairly high protein plan, which I discuss the science behind why this is a good move here:
High Protein in P3 – Why?
I quote quite a few medical studies there and I think you will find it quite convincing as a case for high protein over high fat when it comes to successful weight maintenance.
Are you sure the current macros is the best way to go? From my research women’s bodies start to struggle with thyroid hormone levels with that low a percentage of carbs- studies show active thyroid hormone levels do indeed decrease (which is your metabolism) when on a chronically low carb diet- there is evidence of this in scientific studies, so not just a thought but a real thing.
That is why P3tolife is designed very different from ketogenic.
I’m sorry you are struggling! I don’t know how many calories you are currently consuming, but again the macro ratios make a huge difference and while some women do well on keto, many others do not. Perhaps that ratio is just not agreeing with you? I myself find I gain more easily from a fat heavy diet vs. one with more protein and veggies, which is what the P3tolife layout is.
Not sure if that helps you troubleshoot!
Her reply: Perhaps you are right! I must have understood P3tolife wrong. I thought it was basically baby steps into Keto so I did great in the beginning but ever since I went over 1200 ish calories I’ve been slowly gaining. I do need to re adjust my macros. I have adjusted them a few times already. Long story short Keto might not be fit for me. I get wrapped around the numbers, “I just eat this fat and that fat” when the simplicity of healthy veggies and carbs really makes me happy.
Later: So Rayzel, after I wrote you I weighed in and I’m 147.2 sadly I’m at my steak day. Sucks. I think after my steak day I will just start your P3 over again to see if I can do better.
