Why PSMF?.......

[donnajo]

What is the purpose? I just would rather eat at a slight deficit and take my time. I don't think I could torture myself like that. What is the purpose of it and how is it healthy? How do you keep muscle? Somebody tell me WHY? :confused:

[Blondell]

I prefer dieting harder for a shorter amount of time. Your protein is kept high and your training volume is kept low (low rep work). That's how you hold onto muscle.

[Erik]

What is the purpose? I just would rather eat at a slight deficit and take my time. I don't think I could torture myself like that. What is the purpose of it and how is it healthy? How do you keep muscle? Somebody tell me WHY? :confused:

Impatience. This is why most people do it. Results yesterday please.

Kick starting off a more sane diet (which you'll transition into)

Playing catch up if you've got a deadline and you're behind schedule.

I'll answer one of your questions with one of my own? What would make it unhealthy? You eat sufficient protein, unlimited vegetables and you take your fish oils.

As to how to keep muscle

1. You don't do it very long.

2. You do resistance training, but with a low volume just to preserve LBM.

3. You don't do a lot of cardio and you don't do any intervals.

The leaner you are + the longer you do it = the greater risk for muscle loss.

[donnajo]

I prefer dieting harder for a shorter amount of time. Your protein is kept high and your training volume is kept low (low rep work). That's how you hold onto muscle.

What is the average length of time you do if for? And what results should you expect? I thought if you underate you could lower your metabolism or plateau? Why don't I know these things? More answers please.

[donnajo]

Erik, I was posting that question at the same time.


Ok, so I just read in your journal that you looked white and felt like you were gonna pass out. How is this healthy then?

Would this be a practice you only use occasionally?

[Blondell]

What is the average length of time you do if for? And what results should you expect? I thought if you underate you could lower your metabolism or plateau? Why don't I know these things? More answers please.

You're asking me why YOU don't know? :unsure: :lol:


The psmf is only supposed to be run for a certain amount of time. There are guidelines for refeeds/cheats etc while doing it. If you follow the outlined guidelines, and don't have an existing condition (thyroid, etc), metabolism slowdown should not be a big issue.

[donnajo]

You're asking me why YOU don't know? :unsure: :lol:


The psmf is only supposed to be run for a certain amount of time. There are guidelines for refeeds/cheats etc while doing it. If you follow the outlined guidelines, and don't have an existing condition (thyroid, etc), metabolism slowdown should not be a big issue.

Is this the Lyle McDonald thing?

[Blondell]

Erik, I was posting that question at the same time.


Ok, so I just read in your journal that you looked white and felt like you were gonna pass out. How is this healthy then?

Would this be a practice you only use occasionally?
I've never had this happen. :lol:

[Blondell]

Is this the Lyle McDonald thing?

Yes, ma'am.

[donnajo]

I've never had this happen. :lol:

Erik said it. Are the calories set according to bw and how low are they? Maybe because he is a lot bigger and used to eating more it effects him more.:shrug:

[Blondell]

Erik said it. Are the calories set according to bw and how low are they? Maybe because he is a lot bigger and used to eating more it effects him more.:shrug:

Actually, you eat your ~bw in protein, some veggies and fish oils. That's it. Whatever your calories equal after that is where they are set. There really is no set amount of calories; just protein.

[Noel Clark]

I don't find that when I am carrying more bodyfat, that this is very hard. You drop (at least in my experience) a large some of weight-realtively quickly. Now, all of it isn't fat-obviously, but like Erik said, it is either a quick way to jump start a normal diet or if you want it off...YESTERDAY -this is quick :D

[Cindy Day]

I agree with Noel. This hasn't been hard at all-- torture? I'm not for that. I have had to force myself to eat in most cases because I know I need it. I have felt a slight drop in strength while lifting, but I also just had 4 days off prior to starting.

[Ali]

I don't like PSMF. :ban3: It's just too drastic for me. I'm just a wuss, mostly. :lol: I need my oats in the morning. :cheat:

I've never done PSMF...probably never will. :shrug:

I also find that when you restrict carbs low enough and long enough...nasty things happen when you add them back in. :( I don't like that effect.

[Cindy Day]

I don't like PSMF. :ban3: It's just too drastic for me. I'm just a wuss, mostly. :lol: I need my oats in the morning. :cheat:

I've never done PSMF...probably never will. :shrug:

I also find that when you restrict carbs low enough and long enough...nasty things happen when you add them back in. :( I don't like that effect.

Ali, does (a) nasty=control or does (b)nasty=weight gain in this expression? I realize if a is true, b is as well, but did you possibly mean b without a being true?

[Ali]

Ali, does (a) nasty=control or does (b)nasty=weight gain in this expression? I realize if a is true, b is as well, but did you possibly mean b without a being true?

Weight gain, yes, but I think that is mostly due to water retention. Now, I haven't restricted as far as PSMF, but when I do just protein and fats with not much carbs, I get that bloating when I reintroduce carbs...like a refeed. But the worst part is intenstinal discomfort. :bugeyes:

I am over that now, but contest season....:huh: :crying: :oops:

I dunno, I guess the results of low carb seem temporary to me. I'd rather be on a more even keel if that makes sense...losses and gains more 'real' and not water related.

[Erik]

I don't like PSMF. :ban3: It's just too drastic for me. I'm just a wuss, mostly. :lol: I need my oats in the morning. :cheat:

I've never done PSMF...probably never will. :shrug:

I also find that when you restrict carbs low enough and long enough...nasty things happen when you add them back in. :( I don't like that effect.

You're also SO light that the calories get exceptionally low. So I can see where you're coming from.

Generally speaking I think many people simply overdo this.

What nasty things? Stuff like bloating? Water retention and things like that? If you do it without a plan, yes. If you do ir properly, it can generally be minimized. Probably some individual differences in there as well.

It's when carbs have been too low for too long that IR and the subsequent issues associated with it become problemsome.

[Ali]

You're also SO light that the calories get exceptionally low. So I can see where you're coming from.

Generally speaking I think many people simply overdo this.

What nasty things? Stuff like bloating? Water retention and things like that? If you do it without a plan, yes. If you do ir properly, it can generally be minimized. Probably some individual differences in there as well.

It's when carbs have been too low for too long that IR and the subsequent issues associated with it become problemsome.

It was just with my 'normal' contest diet...and then a cheat meal or refeed. :sick: I am not sure even...if it is more carbs or more calories or both. It wasn't even always a 'bad' meal, but just more than I would normally get.

[Cindy Day]

As far as losses though, Ali-- you're not thinking that in 2 weeks of 600-700 calories that one is not losing more than water? I do. Sure, some water/glycogen is going to come back on, but still start regular sane dieting at a lower level (fat--real losses) than one would?

[Noel Clark]

This isn't something i would do during contest dieting :sick: Not for like 2 weeks. For me this is just a great way to kick of my contest prep. Get the first few lbs of fat off fast and then go into a sane deficit. I feel better almost immediately and I dont' tend to feel gross when going back onto carbs. I don't tend to like doing refeeds in general but at THIS size...doesn't seem to bug me.

I agree with you too Cindy, yes, you are going to lose water/glycogen, but fat as well. And yes, some of this weight will come back but only the good stuff :wink: The fat will still be gone :yippee:

[Cindy Day]

Another thing I notice for me (given that I started this after being off plan) is I instantly regain control, don't fight any hunger or cravings and then can begin totally in control and feel good about the regular deficit.

Thanks for all the input from everyone. :)

[donnajo]

I don't think it would be a good idea for me. Donna without carbs = bitch. :lol:

[Ana]

Another thing I notice for me (given that I started this after being off plan) is I instantly regain control, don't fight any hunger or cravings and then can begin totally in control and feel good about the regular deficit.

Thanks for all the input from everyone. :)

I agree here. It helped me get out of my last binge as well back in march.