Re: cheated on phase one

February 25, 2004

I have lost 6 pounds and I am in the second week of Phase 1. I don't like the term " cheated " because it sounds dishonest. You need to look at Phase 1 for what it is - changing your body chemistry - it's not a test of your will. I have not gone " by the book " every single meal every single day.

My rule of thumb is - if I have a really bad craving, instead of waiting until I want to binge by eating a whole package of Oreos, I have some protein (maybe string cheese or some peanut butter and celery), and I wait half an hour. If I was just having low blood sugar cravings, it has passed. If I'm still feeling like I need something sweet or I'm going to HAVE to eat sugar straight from the bowl - I have a tootsie roll (ONE!) or a starburst (ONE!). I figure, if ONE TOOTSIE ROLL will screw up my body chemistry or screw up my diet - then this isn't the diet for me.

The first couple of weeks are supposed to be strict, and the rest you are supposed to be really careful - but if eating a bite of ice cream, or a half of a piece of bread every few days is the end for you - this probably isn't a diet people would stick to, and it has a high rate of people sticking to it.

I would caution against staying on Phase 1 indefinately. I would set a goal date and stick to it. Force yourself to wait to " cheat " (ugh - I hate that word) until you've had some protein and some time to evaluate your decision. DON'T BINGE. Don't say, " Well, I had a bite of ice cream, so I blew it - may as well have the rest of the pint " or " Well, I already blew it by eating one piece of pizza - I may as well stuff myself until I'm sick. " (Been there on other diets, done that on other diets.) Look at the foods you are eating when you " cheat " .

Look at the times of day. Is there a pattern? Maybe you need more snack foods around your house (nuts, string cheese, yogurt, lunch meat) - the kinds of things that are okay to have when you need a " fix " . Go for those first - wait 30-45 minutes - THEN have a BITE of something you are craving. Then...well, go for a walk or call a friend, whatever you do - stay OUT of the KITCHEN. :-)

If you are going to have something that is not allowed, plan for it and make it count. If you plan for it, and maybe even tell someone what your plan is - it's easier to stick to it. For instance - my husand got an unexpectedly high raise on Monday. We decided to celebrate by going out for dinner. I told him in advance of getting to the restaurant that I was going to have a half of a piece of bread and could he order dessert so I could have one bite? That was what we did. As soon as I got my meal, I traded bread with him so I would have the small piece, then I broke it in half and gave him the other half. After dinner, he ordered a small dessert and I had one bite. It was planned and I felt great when I left the restaurant. Did I want the rest of his dessert? Absolutely. Do I crave sweets anymore? Absolutely. Have I been binging? Absolutely NOT.

Well, I think, IF you are still reading this, you are probably saying, " okay, already, I get the idea!! " LOL

Good luck and have a great day on the beach!

Stacey

Reply-To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:56:12 -0000

To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right

Subject: cheated on phase one

Hi,

I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds.

The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my phase

one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day. Today

I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm

disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be more.

Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat? Also,

is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have

light coffee and have coffee twice a day.

Thanks,

GE

Reminder: The South Beach Diet is not low-carb. Nor is it low-fat. The South Beach Diet teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats-the good ones-and enables you to live quite happily without the bad carbs and bad fats.

For more on this WOE please read " The South Beach Diet " by Arthur Agatston, MD. ISBN 1-57954-814-8

February 25, 2004

Excellent advice, . I think you're right on all counts. This is for the long haul and, I already know, using a 'whip' will not work for me for very long.

Re: cheated on phase one

I have lost 6 pounds and I am in the second week of Phase 1. I don't like the term "cheated" because it sounds dishonest. You need to look at Phase 1 for what it is - changing your body chemistry - it's not a test of your will. I have not gone "by the book" every single meal every single day. My rule of thumb is - if I have a really bad craving, instead of waiting until I want to binge by eating a whole package of Oreos, I have some protein (maybe string cheese or some peanut butter and celery), and I wait half an hour. If I was just having low blood sugar cravings, it has passed. If I'm still feeling like I need something sweet or I'm going to HAVE to eat sugar straight from the bowl - I have a tootsie roll (ONE!) or a starburst (ONE!). I figure, if ONE TOOTSIE ROLL will screw up my body chemistry or screw up my diet - then this isn't the diet for me. The first couple of weeks are supposed to be strict, and the rest you are supposed to be really careful - but if eating a bite of ice cream, or a half of a piece of bread every few days is the end for you - this probably isn't a diet people would stick to, and it has a high rate of people sticking to it. I would caution against staying on Phase 1 indefinately. I would set a goal date and stick to it. Force yourself to wait to "cheat" (ugh - I hate that word) until you've had some protein and some time to evaluate your decision. DON'T BINGE. Don't say, "Well, I had a bite of ice cream, so I blew it - may as well have the rest of the pint" or "Well, I already blew it by eating one piece of pizza - I may as well stuff myself until I'm sick." (Been there on other diets, done that on other diets.) Look at the foods you are eating when you "cheat". Look at the times of day. Is there a pattern? Maybe you need more snack foods around your house (nuts, string cheese, yogurt, lunch meat) - the kinds of things that are okay to have when you need a "fix". Go for those first - wait 30-45 minutes - THEN have a BITE of something you are craving. Then...well, go for a walk or call a friend, whatever you do - stay OUT of the KITCHEN. :-) If you are going to have something that is not allowed, plan for it and make it count. If you plan for it, and maybe even tell someone what your plan is - it's easier to stick to it. For instance - my husand got an unexpectedly high raise on Monday. We decided to celebrate by going out for dinner. I told him in advance of getting to the restaurant that I was going to have a half of a piece of bread and could he order dessert so I could have one bite? That was what we did. As soon as I got my meal, I traded bread with him so I would have the small piece, then I broke it in half and gave him the other half. After dinner, he ordered a small dessert and I had one bite. It was planned and I felt great when I left the restaurant. Did I want the rest of his dessert? Absolutely. Do I crave sweets anymore? Absolutely. Have I been binging? Absolutely NOT.Well, I think, IF you are still reading this, you are probably saying, "okay, already, I get the idea!!" LOLGood luck and have a great day on the beach!Stacey

Reply-To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:56:12 -0000To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right Subject: cheated on phase one

Hi,I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds. The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my phase one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day. Today I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be more. Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat? Also, is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have light coffee and have coffee twice a day.Thanks,GEReminder: The South Beach Diet is not low-carb. Nor is it low-fat. The South Beach Diet teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats-the good ones-and enables you to live quite happily without the bad carbs and bad fats. For more on this WOE please read "The South Beach Diet" by Arthur Agatston, MD. ISBN 1-57954-814-8

February 25, 2004

Excellent advice, . I think you're right on all counts. This is for the long haul and, I already know, using a 'whip' will not work for me for very long.

Re: cheated on phase one

I have lost 6 pounds and I am in the second week of Phase 1. I don't like the term "cheated" because it sounds dishonest. You need to look at Phase 1 for what it is - changing your body chemistry - it's not a test of your will. I have not gone "by the book" every single meal every single day. My rule of thumb is - if I have a really bad craving, instead of waiting until I want to binge by eating a whole package of Oreos, I have some protein (maybe string cheese or some peanut butter and celery), and I wait half an hour. If I was just having low blood sugar cravings, it has passed. If I'm still feeling like I need something sweet or I'm going to HAVE to eat sugar straight from the bowl - I have a tootsie roll (ONE!) or a starburst (ONE!). I figure, if ONE TOOTSIE ROLL will screw up my body chemistry or screw up my diet - then this isn't the diet for me. The first couple of weeks are supposed to be strict, and the rest you are supposed to be really careful - but if eating a bite of ice cream, or a half of a piece of bread every few days is the end for you - this probably isn't a diet people would stick to, and it has a high rate of people sticking to it. I would caution against staying on Phase 1 indefinately. I would set a goal date and stick to it. Force yourself to wait to "cheat" (ugh - I hate that word) until you've had some protein and some time to evaluate your decision. DON'T BINGE. Don't say, "Well, I had a bite of ice cream, so I blew it - may as well have the rest of the pint" or "Well, I already blew it by eating one piece of pizza - I may as well stuff myself until I'm sick." (Been there on other diets, done that on other diets.) Look at the foods you are eating when you "cheat". Look at the times of day. Is there a pattern? Maybe you need more snack foods around your house (nuts, string cheese, yogurt, lunch meat) - the kinds of things that are okay to have when you need a "fix". Go for those first - wait 30-45 minutes - THEN have a BITE of something you are craving. Then...well, go for a walk or call a friend, whatever you do - stay OUT of the KITCHEN. :-) If you are going to have something that is not allowed, plan for it and make it count. If you plan for it, and maybe even tell someone what your plan is - it's easier to stick to it. For instance - my husand got an unexpectedly high raise on Monday. We decided to celebrate by going out for dinner. I told him in advance of getting to the restaurant that I was going to have a half of a piece of bread and could he order dessert so I could have one bite? That was what we did. As soon as I got my meal, I traded bread with him so I would have the small piece, then I broke it in half and gave him the other half. After dinner, he ordered a small dessert and I had one bite. It was planned and I felt great when I left the restaurant. Did I want the rest of his dessert? Absolutely. Do I crave sweets anymore? Absolutely. Have I been binging? Absolutely NOT.Well, I think, IF you are still reading this, you are probably saying, "okay, already, I get the idea!!" LOLGood luck and have a great day on the beach!Stacey

Reply-To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:56:12 -0000To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right Subject: cheated on phase one

Hi,I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds. The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my phase one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day. Today I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be more. Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat? Also, is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have light coffee and have coffee twice a day.Thanks,GEReminder: The South Beach Diet is not low-carb. Nor is it low-fat. The South Beach Diet teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats-the good ones-and enables you to live quite happily without the bad carbs and bad fats. For more on this WOE please read "The South Beach Diet" by Arthur Agatston, MD. ISBN 1-57954-814-8

February 25, 2004

If it makes it easier to cheat, Breyer has some really good low carb, yes I know

South Beach is about the right carbs and not just low carbs but it helps I know

to try and be low carb, ice cream that

my daughter loves eating even without her worrying about what she needs to eat,

she's seven. I know sometimes a little chocolate fix is all that is needed to

keep our resolution on eating better and I

know it had helped me when I first started. It didn't cause me to crave anything

else, like starches either.

On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 08:51 , Stacey Greer sent:

>

>Re: cheated on phase one

>

>I have lost 6 pounds and I am in the second week of Phase 1. I don't like the

term " cheated " because it sounds dishonest. You need to look at Phase 1 for

what it is - changing your body chemistry -

it's not a test of your will. I have not gone " by the book " every single meal

every single day.

>

>My rule of thumb is - if I have a really bad craving, instead of waiting until

I want to binge by eating a whole package of Oreos, I have some protein (maybe

string cheese or some peanut butter and

celery), and I wait half an hour. If I was just having low blood sugar

cravings, it has passed. If I'm still feeling like I need something sweet or

I'm going to HAVE to eat sugar straight from the

bowl - I have a tootsie roll (ONE!) or a starburst (ONE!). I figure, if ONE

TOOTSIE ROLL will screw up my body chemistry or screw up my diet - then this

isn't the diet for me.

>

> The first couple of weeks are supposed to be strict, and the rest you are

supposed to be really careful - but if eating a bite of ice cream, or a half of

a piece of bread every few days is the end

for you - this probably isn't a diet people would stick to, and it has a high

rate of people sticking to it.

>

>I would caution against staying on Phase 1 indefinately. I would set a goal

date and stick to it. Force yourself to wait to " cheat " (ugh - I hate that

word) until you've had some protein and some

time to evaluate your decision. DON'T BINGE. Don't say, " Well, I had a bite of

ice cream, so I blew it - may as well have the rest of the pint " or " Well, I

already blew it by eating one piece of

pizza - I may as well stuff myself until I'm sick. " (Been there on other diets,

done that on other diets.) Look at the foods you are eating when you " cheat " .

>

>Look at the times of day. Is there a pattern? Maybe you need more snack foods

around your house (nuts, string cheese, yogurt, lunch meat) - the kinds of

things that are okay to have when you need

a " fix " . Go for those first - wait 30-45 minutes - THEN have a BITE of

something you are craving. Then...well, go for a walk or call a friend,

whatever you do - stay OUT of the KITCHEN. :-)

>

>If you are going to have something that is not allowed, plan for it and make it

count. If you plan for it, and maybe even tell someone what your plan is - it's

easier to stick to it. For instance -

my husand got an unexpectedly high raise on Monday. We decided to celebrate by

going out for dinner. I told him in advance of getting to the restaurant that I

was going to have a half of a piece of

bread and could he order dessert so I could have one bite? That was what we

did. As soon as I got my meal, I traded bread with him so I would have the

small piece, then I broke it in half and gave

him the other half. After dinner, he ordered a small dessert and I had one

bite. It was planned and I felt great when I left the restaurant. Did I want

the rest of his dessert? Absolutely. Do I

crave sweets anymore? Absolutely. Have I been binging? Absolutely NOT.

>

>Well, I think, IF you are still reading this, you are probably saying, " okay,

already, I get the idea!! " LOL

>

>Good luck and have a great day on the beach!

>

>Stacey

>

>X-UIDL: 1077721979505

>

>Reply-To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right

>

>Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:56:12 -0000

>

>To: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right

>

>Subject: cheated on phase one

>

>Hi,

>

>I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds.

>

>The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my phase

>

>one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day. Today

>

>I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm

>

>disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be more.

>

>Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat? Also,

>

>is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have

>

>light coffee and have coffee twice a day.

>

>Thanks,

>

>GE

>

>Reminder: The South Beach Diet is not low-carb. Nor is it low-fat. The South

Beach Diet teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats-the good

ones-and enables you to live quite happily

without the bad carbs and bad fats.

>

>For more on this WOE please read " The South Beach Diet " by Arthur Agatston, MD.

ISBN 1-57954-814-8

>

February 26, 2004

I really would be better if you used skim or 1% milk. There's also

FF Half & Half.

> Hi,

>

> I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds.

> The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my

phase

> one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day.

Today

> I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm

> disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be

more.

> Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat?

Also,

> is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have

> light coffee and have coffee twice a day.

>

> Thanks,

> GE

February 26, 2004

Sometimes people have the scale get stuck while they're on Phase I

for a while. Often times, the weight loss starts up again with the

onset of Phase II.

> Hi,

>

> I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds.

> The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my

phase

> one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day.

Today

> I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm

> disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be

more.

> Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat?

Also,

> is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have

> light coffee and have coffee twice a day.

>

> Thanks,

> GE

February 27, 2004

Hi,

I'm new to the board and only in my first week of Phase II, so I

know others have more experience than I do, but, after scanning

through some of the messages on the board, and coming across yours,

I thought I would share an experience with you. Maybe it will be

helpful.

My mother-in-law introduced me to the SBdiet when she came out to

stay with us for the holidays. We were going to start it in

December, but friends kept bringing us holiday goodies, and we knew

we wouldn't be very good about staying on track, so we decided to

wait until January to begin. The morning of our 6th day is the day

she flew home. I had lost 4 lbs. right away, but that morning I had

gained back 2. I also had some incredible cravings that day. I

wanted both chocolate and popcorn- two of my favorites . My support

system just left and wouldn't know the difference, and my weight was

back up. I struggled with the cravings all day, and of course the

more we dwell on something the more intense it becomes. I was

seriously considering giving in when I realized my pants weren't as

tight. I didn't have the tummy roll at the top of the waist line

like I'd had just a few days earlier. It was a little thing, but I

knew SOMETHING was going on in my body whether the scale showed it

or not. It was enough to boost my determination, and I was able to

stick with it. At day 18 I did something completely foolish and

fell off the plan until 19 days ago when I started again, this time

prepared for cravings that might hit me within that first week. The

thing was, once I passed that point I didn't have the cravings

anymore. I walked past the Valentine's candy and didn't even care.

I think that 2 week period is meant to cure us of those cravings,

and I guess I believe as long as we give into them a little bit here

and there, we'll always have them lurking around within us. I know

our bodies are all different, so this might not be the same for some

as I have found it to be for me.

A couple of years ago I lost 25 lbs. with Weight Watchers in a 4

month time frame then fell off the program while attending an out-of-

town conference. Rather than jumping right back on, I was so tired

of counting points and worrying about it that I actually went into a

self-destructive mode and ate whatever I wanted. At first I didn't

gain anything back, and I decided I'd had it with dieting and was

going to eat anything, which included all the Halloween chocolates I

could get from my kids and all the holiday goodies that came

around. By the time I realized I was out of control I had no

motivation to gain control, and I put the weight right back on.

I have come to realize, for me, that " I " have to be in control, not

my appetite.

Maybe if you can just get through the two weeks without giving into

your cravings you will find you no longer have them. Maybe that can

be a short term goal - to just survive for 2 weeks and see how you

do then. Don't look at it as a diet you're going to spend the next

several months on. Just look at the next two weeks and tell

yourself you will decide what you want to do when the 2 weeks are

up.

Good-luck! I'd love to hear what you finally end up doing.

(By the way, I think your 6.5 lbs. is great! I only lost 7 lbs the

first time around - all in the first week, then gained back 3 and

this time around I lost another 7 and put 2 back on right away when

I started eating grains. It's my opinion from what I know about

high protien, low carb. diets - Phase I - that some of that weight

is water weight, thus the immediate increase. I'm looking forward

to seeing what happens by the end of this week.)

Vie

169/160/125

> Hi,

>

> I've been on Phase 1 for 20 days and have a only lost 6.5 pounds.

> The thing is I've cheated a few times and have had to extend my

phase

> one - everytime I realized I cheated, I extend it by one day.

Today

> I'm re-starting Phase 1 and plan to stick to it this time. I'm

> disappointed by only 6.5 pounds lost since I know it should be

more.

> Is it right to keep extending Phase One for everytime I cheat?

Also,

> is a liberal use of non-dairy (powder) creamer OK - I like to have

> light coffee and have coffee twice a day.

>

> Thanks,

> GE

February 27, 2004