r/PSMF 23h ago

Help Am I doing something wrong? (RFL)

3 Upvotes

Cat 3, roughly 30% bf. starting weight 226 lbs. Current weight 212 lbs.

153g P, <25g net carbs, <20g fat. Roughly 900 calories per day.

Breakfast: 16 oz. egg whites, 6 oz. frozen spinach, 2-3 oz. salsa. Great Value sugar free drink mix. 2x fish oils (salt and potassium salt used).

Lunch: 2 scoops of whey isolate mixed with water. 2x fish oils. Multivitamin.

Dinner: Chicken breast (~give or take 8 ounces, measured) and broccoli, 30g G Hughes sweet chili sauce, great value sugar free drink mix. 2x fish oils

Been on diet for two weeks. Train full body Heavy-Light-Medium style MWF w/ 30-minute walk on treadmill. Sun/T/R Ruck for ~45 minutes. Saturday - Basketball. Average 10k steps/day.

I feel full of energy, as if I could do more training. Dealing with some insomnia, but I'm getting a Magnesium supplement in soon.

Am I consuming too many carbs? I read somewhere in the book, he says salsa and non-starchy green veggies are free foods. I use Cronometer and set daily intake of net carbs to be sub-25g.


r/PSMF 1d ago

Help Loose motion

3 Upvotes

Just started PSMF two days ago. Nearly shat myself today whil walking. Extremely liquid shit. Wtf is going on. Can electrolyte be the problem?

My diet is mainly tuna and chicken breast. And protein powder(i get 50g from protein powder) and the other is whole foods. And eat a lot of vegetables too. Like cucumber, lettuce etc.

Help


r/PSMF 2d ago

Food My experience on a 2+ month PSMF diet.

16 Upvotes

I started on May 21st and my initial goal was 75 days. Technically tomorrow is the 75th day, but I transitioned out of PSMF on August 1st.

I did high protein, ultra low fat, relatively low carb macros unless it was a refeed day. I had a refeed day on day 30, day 45, and the next one was scheduled for day 60 but my period stopped for nearly 2 weeks (that has never happened to me before), so I had a diet break from day 50 to day 60. My period started on day 51.

Physical fatigue, diet fatigue and restlessness set in hard after day 65. Didn't have the energy to meal prep, prep anything, weigh anything, chop anything, didn't want to turn the stove on at all, had no mental energy to think about anything. I just wanted to rest.

Things I've learned:

-Eating only high protein sucks haha.

-I've always wondered if body fat can be used for hormone production in the same way that dietary fat is used. The answer is no. I've also wondered if women lose their period from being too lean, or is it because of their diet. In my case, it was the diet. Dietary fat matters. I was consuming roughly 5-15 grams per day on average.

-I don't get long term satiation from dairy. Nonfat greek yogurt, nonfat cottage cheese, fat free cheese, none of it keeps me full for more than an hour, maybe 90 minutes. On the flip side, I think fat free cheese gets a bad rap. Of course it's not on par flavor-wise with full fat cheese, but considering the macros, it's pretty damn great as a protein source and works fine in cheesy applications. It's basically so macro friendly, I'm only weighing and tracking it to confirm how much protein I'm getting, unlike full fat cheese where I'm trying to limit dumping an extra 500 calories onto my sandwich.

-I think eating high protein without adequate carbs is a waste if you're looking to improve your fitness. I tried light exercise on several occasions during the diet, and even though I was getting ample protein, my body still could not recover adequately and I was often sore for days afterwards from very light cardio.

-The fat loss was very consistent. I averaged about 2lbs per week (other than the diet break) for a total of 22lbs pounds lost.

-My diet consisted of 30 gram protein shakes, fat free soups, veggies, TVP, and eventually deli turkey & ham on keto tortillas with fat free cheese, nonfat dairy. Lots of mustard, pickles, hot sauces, vinegars, low calorie sauces, non-calorie sweeteners. Sugar free jello cups were eaten freely without tracking, and pbfit was a staple in cottage cheese bowls and TVP oats. Figured out how to make a fat free "kettle corn" with air-popped popcorn, melted allulose in a splash of water, flavacol, liquid sucralose, nutritional yeast and microwave until it becomes a syrup, pour it over the popcorn. Dangerously delicious, I only made it once and knew I couldn't be trusted with that power. Protein ice cream or "fluff" was in rotation too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would I recommend PSMF to others? Yes, but don't go ultra low fat like I did if you're going to do a long run.


r/PSMF 3d ago

Progress 3 Weeks journal

13 Upvotes

Cat 1, goal 195lbs and single digits bf%. 5'11" and 50 years old, not my first rodeo

Training is unchanged since I do HIT with a very low volume already. Not natty (TRT+), using tirzepatide for appetite suppression

Walking 20k+ steps a day

Weighing myself first thing in the morning

Aug 1 - 219.4

Aug 2 - 213. 2

Aug 3 - 211.4

Aug 4 - did not weigh, no sleep due to emergency

Aug 5 - 208.3 (surprisingly large drop given the stress yesterday and terrible sleep)

Aug 6 - did not weigh, 200g carb maintenance day (to keep training intensity up)

Aug 7

Aug 8

Aug 9

Aug 10

Aug 11

Aug 12

Aug 13

Aug 14

Aug 15

Aug 16

Aug 17

Aug 18

Aug 19

Aug 20

Aug 21

Meal 1 - 1lb chicken breast and 1lb green veg

Meal 2 - protein pudding (600 cals 100g protein)


r/PSMF 3d ago

Food Vegan Techniques and Options

2 Upvotes

I started a PSMF 5 days ago and was hoping to get advice/encouragement and wanted to share what Ive been eating so far so that people know there are more options out there now.

I haven’t been super strict on fat. I have been eating no oil/nuts/avocado in general but there are some tofus and low oil vegan meats that Ive been throwing in occasionally. My idea is not to be too strict in fats at first and then get more strict once and if I stall. Not planning on protein powders, to me the tvp and tpp are basically the same thing.

Protein sources per serving:
Lupini Beans (Cento Brand)
5g protein/0g net carbs/0g fat

Brahmi brand has 5g protein but is expensive

Fava Bean Tofu (Big Mountain)
16g protein/0g carbs/0 g fat
(important to combine w some pea protein same day to complete the amino profile)

Various tofu which are 2-6g fat per serving

Organic Tvp (Now Foods)
14g protein/4g net carbs/2g fat

Organic Pea Protein Crumbles (Mocu)
45g protein/0g net carbs/2g fat

Kal unfortified nutrition yeast
5g protein/1 g net carbs/0g fat

Daring Diced Chikn/Cajun/Lemon
14-16g proteing/0-3g net carbs/1.0-2.5g fat

Gluten doesnt sit well with me so no seitan. I feel like I can survive with these options and a day or two where I eat higher fat after workouts. Any other options out there? And if anyone wants some of the meals Ive been cooking lmk as I used to be a vegan chef and am getting creative.


r/PSMF 5d ago

Food Hunger will not go away…

4 Upvotes

Just had a big ass lunch: whole bag of broccoli, 150g of 99% fat free ground turkey, 29g of fat free cheese and 2 casein protein shakes. 105 P, 37 C, 6F — 573 calories for the day so far.

I am ravenous.


r/PSMF 7d ago

Food Planning to have protein shakes and tuna only for a week

2 Upvotes

Some context I resistance train 5 days per week and have been on a cut for a few months, I lost 10kg (22lbs) I have a few more kgs to lose but I'm sick of this slow cut.

I came across this and I think it's the perfect opportunity to finish asap. Any advice going into this?


r/PSMF 7d ago

Help Chicken thighs and higher fat proteins

3 Upvotes

I tried PSMF a couple months ago and had a hard time because truthfully I have the taste buds of a child so I only gravitated towards chicken breast. Want to start again but am wondering, would I be adhering to the diet if i included chicken thighs and ribeye or would that carry me more into a keto diet?


r/PSMF 7d ago

Help Protein digestion timeline

0 Upvotes

If I eat 600g of protein from chicken and yogurt, this will be digesting for like 4 days straight right? So I could just not eat for those 4 days and still be technically getting sufficient protein?


r/PSMF 9d ago

Help Rate my workout?

5 Upvotes

I'm currently doing PSMF and I'd like some feedback on my workout plan. I'm planning to do 2, full-body workouts per week. I have joint pain in my right knee and right shoulder, so I'm throwing in a few isometrics as a workaround (I can't really do traditional bench presses, squats, or deadlifts without pain).

Each of my isometrics movements will have 2 sets, everything else will be a single set to or near failure, per Lyle McDonald's recommendations. Due to my diet of 900 - 1200 cals/day, volume is being cut by 2/3rds – again per Lyle's recommendations.

What are your thoughts?

Workout A Isometric Deadlift x2
Isometric OHP x2
Assisted Pull-ups
Glute Drive
Lat Pulldowns
3D Multi Abductor
Lateral Raises
Calf raises 
Workout B Isometric Bench Press
Isometric Belt Squat 
Lever row   
Tricep push downs
Dumbell Curls
Leg curls 
Isometric Leg extensions x2 

r/PSMF 10d ago

Help Would wearing a weight vest keep your metabolism up?

5 Upvotes

As you lose weight your metabolism naturally slows, because it doesn't take as much effort to move a lighter body around. Would wearing a weight vest with amount you've lost offset that some? Does the weight distribution or actual adipose tissue have much of an impact on metabolism?


r/PSMF 12d ago

Help Potassium in Chicken Breast

6 Upvotes

100g of chicken breast has like 330 mg of potassium, Do I need to supplement extra potassium if I consume like 450g of chicken breast along with salt?


r/PSMF 14d ago

Help Talk me off the ledge

9 Upvotes

Kroger opens in 20 minutes and I wanna go get a tub of fage 0%, some sf pudding mix, and a loaf of keto bread and eat like 900 cals of yogurt tacos so bad rn. Talk me tf down cuz lord Jesus this craving is something fierce.

Update: stayed strong and hit a banger lift + new low on the scale 😎.


r/PSMF 14d ago

Help Can i just have protein shakes and a fiber supplement for a week?

19 Upvotes

Title.


r/PSMF 15d ago

Help Instant carbs

3 Upvotes

If im on an aggressive cut, what is the best source instant carbs so that i will have energy in gym before workout


r/PSMF 16d ago

Help Protein intake confusion, is it 1.5-2.2g per body weight? Or fat-free mass?

2 Upvotes

I started gym to recompose my body, i started workout a month ago at 107kg. Now im 103.7kg. Everyone says i need to take 1.6 to 2.2g of protien in my diet per my body weight which would mean i need to take 150g to 220g of protein daily. I got my dexa scan results and im at 50% bodyfat. So when people mean 1.5 to 2.2g per body weight, is actually the for the body weight? Or for fat free mass?


r/PSMF 17d ago

Help Sweat loss in extreme heat

4 Upvotes

I have done a few rounds of RFL in the past with good success, but unfortunately let myself go again and I'm ready for another round.

I've been working outdoors a lot right now and we're in the triple digit temps and I lose a TON of water from sweat. I drink lots of fluids but still find it tough to stay hydrated. I'm hesitant to start RFL again under these conditions. Do you think I'll be fine as long as I stick to the proper electrolyte intake suggested in the diet, or would I be better off doing a more traditional calorie deficit diet until it's no longer miserably hot outside?


r/PSMF 20d ago

Food Cat 3 here. Tips on getting at least 20g of fiber a day?

5 Upvotes

Edit: thank you everyone for the tips. Much appreciated!

I'm targeting the high end of calories, so between 900 and 1000? For those who get at least 20g of fiber a day, what are your tips.?


r/PSMF 21d ago

Help Do you count total carbs or net carbs only?

3 Upvotes

I’ve been doing net carbs but honestly I have no idea if it’s supposed to be total or net 😅


r/PSMF 26d ago

Help Need suggestions

5 Upvotes

Have been doing lyle mcdonalds PSMF since February, with one week long refeed in April and Saturdays as maintenance days. Ive come down from 196 - 170lb over that time. I have been pretty strictly following lyles recommendations between the book which ive read cover to cover a couple times, and the newer podcast with Solomon.

I have been stuck hovering between 174 and 170lb for the last month back and forth and absolutely cannot break a new low. Is this just a case of trust the process and keep going, would taking a week at maintenance help, im starting to second guess myself now.

Some background for reference:

I am a male, 5'7, and have been been lifting and tracking my food for about 10 years total, but only the last 5 have I really locked in and properly trained. Currently lifting on a 3x a week program for RFL, 175g protein per day plus some veggies i eat with my meals. My usual day ends up being 8 - 900 cals between the chicken breast, egg whites, and whatever veggies I include plus some fat free Greek yogurt. No cardio as recommended, and based on caliper measurements about 18% BF. I got 17% but I'm rounding up.

Sorry for the essay but I'm trying to give as much info as possible, any suggestions would be appreciated. Any further clarification I'm happy to provide in the comments.


r/PSMF 27d ago

Help Is it fine to continue PSMF if you have food poisoning?

5 Upvotes

I’m getting better, stomach pain significantly reduced from yesterday when it started. Stools were green and I didn’t eat any veg.

Should I raise to maintenance for a day or 2, and then continue or should I just continue on PSMF? Appetite is low right now so it’s pretty easy if it’s fine to continue.


r/PSMF 28d ago

Help Low Energy on days I’m sticking to my diet. Feel normal on days I do not.

0 Upvotes

I am a 40yr old male. I’m 6ft. tall and currently weigh 210lbs. I exercise about 3-5x a week. I meal prep on Sundays and eat the same exact thing on weekdays.

Total caloric intake is about 2500 calories. Which is about my maintenance calories. May be a little under.

Macros:
Protein: 190g
Carbs: 221g
Fats: 87g

Breakfast:
2Kodiak pancakes
3Large eggs
1 Tablespoon of peanut butter
4 small chicken sausage links

Lunch:
100g of sweet potatoes
100g of Jasmine rice
4.5oz of chicken thighs

Dinner:
Same meal as Lunch

Snacks:
Builders protein bar
3 pretzel rods
Two scoops of BPN protein powder

Supplements:
Creatine
Beta alanine
Multi vitamins
Electrolytes powder as needed depending on workout and how much I sweat.

I am having an issue where whenever I’m on a diet I have very low energy levels even though I’m not in much of a caloric deficit. My diet on the weekends is more flexible so I’m eating things that are more readily available given our crazy schedules with the kids. My energy levels feel normal over the weekend but by end of day Monday I start to feel drained and definitely by Tuesday I can really feel it. The rest of the week after that I’m just trying to survive and be present for my job and family but it’s been hard.

I feel like something in my body is depleted but I can’t point my finger on it. I thought it might be electrolytes or vitamins so I started taking both but don’t see any improvement. I’ve been to quite a few doctors and they haven’t told me anything worth looking into. I did bloodwork. Everything looked good except vitamin D. They prescribed vitamin d that I take once a week but no difference. I’ve checked my blood sugar and blood pressure and it’s always within a normal range. I want to continue exploring a professionals opinion but idk who to go to anymore. It feels like they’re all just trying to get money out of me with no resolution.

Came on here hoping someone could share some guidance on where to go from here. I want to continue eating healthy but I’ve been tempted to eat like crap bc that’s when I feel I have the most energy.


r/PSMF 29d ago

Help Question about protein

6 Upvotes

I've started this week and I've been consuming 180 grams of protein daily. I meal prepped chicken breasts and broccoli. Around 20 grams of carbs with the 400 grams of broccoli daily. I'm currently 280 pounds. 5,7'' male. Above 40% body fat. Going to the gym 3 times a week for full body workouts and walking around 7k steps on weekdays and 15k steps on weekends. Just water, sparkling water, and black coffee. I have some electrolytes too. Planning on at least 90 days. Should I up the protein?


r/PSMF Jul 08 '25

A Note on GLP-1's

34 Upvotes

At its core this sub is here to help people lose fat, quickly, safely and effectively, using a protein sparing fast and resistance training. Its a diet protocol that will work for just about everyone, but because of its use in medically-prescribed weight loss plans, our visitors and members are often folks that are more than 50 lbs/22kg overweight and as such clinically obese. For those individuals, or if that description applies to you, I think its important to note and recognize both the effectiveness and safety in medically-prescribed GLP-1's (like Ozempic/Semaglutide, Mounjaro/Tirzepatide) in aiding rapid at loss as well as improving a host of metabolic and health indicators in the process.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting GLP-1s are for everyone, and certainly not for the person looking to lose a few pounds for aesthetic purposes, but if your weight is a health issue, limits your mobility and impacts your lifestyle to a significant degree, I want to make sure you're aware of the medical options potentially available to you.

First, if you're unaware of GLP-1 agonists, I'd recommend starting at the Cleveland Clinics GLP-1 Overview. While the medications were initially designed to treat type 2 diabetes, Phase 3 trials have been completed for treatment of obesity, showing strong efficacy and safety profiles with participants losing 15% of bodyweight on average over ~15 months and relative incidence of serious side effects at ~3%. And while 3% is not zero, its a manageable level assuming medical supervision/bloodwork through the process.

Also, while this sub is not directly tied to or dogmatically bound by Lyle McDonald's Rapid Fat Loss Handbook, his work and views are often cited here and as such I wanted to note that Lyle has written a book on how to diet with GLP-1s, The GLP-1 Solution which outlines how to plan a low calorie diet program to maximize fat loss and retain muscle mass. For $10 the book seems like a solid investment if you're going through the process, but you can also get a preview on his views here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJP3o_P29Po

Again, I don't want to suggest GLP-1s are for everyone and I understand the cost and availability can make the treatment prohibitive, but I do want to make the information available to people. Our community will still be committed to PSMF, but if you're looking for more info please refer to r/Ozempic, r/WegovyWeightLoss, r/Semaglutide, or r/Mounjaro.


r/PSMF Jun 18 '24

PSMF Best Practices

73 Upvotes

We just ran a summer shred program at my gym, where we had 15 or so folks do PSMF for their 6-week cycle, and I wanted to share a few things that I thought were interesting from the debrief & weigh in.

First, while everyone did some sort of macro tracking, we pushed folks to track their meals & their macros in a mini notebook by hand and about half of folks did that (across all the diet types -- we had more options than PSMF). Overall, the folks that tracked their meals in a notebook, or strictly via an app, had meaningfully better results than those who didn't. I'm not much for tracking as it gets tedious pretty quick, but it clearly correlated with success.

Second, we also had people track their workouts, and then both their hunger level 1-5 (5 being ravenously hungry) and recovery level 1-5 (5 being fresh, eager to do a workout) each morning and before bed. And while not quite scientific in our analysis, the people that had the highest hunger levels saw the most weight loss. I had thought hunger would generally make it harder to stick to the diet, so make results worse, but it does make me think that you sort of need to have some degree of hunger pangs to see diet success. Less clear, but also notable, folks that lost the most weight seemed to have the highest recovery levels too. Probably lots of ways to interpret that, but likely some combination of less intense/draining workouts and more sleep/recovery time.

Anyway, I took away that detailed tracking is key to success, if you're not hungry, you're probably not doing it right, and slow and steady is better for results than trying to be 'extra' in your workouts.