ASK DR. AGATSTON~Phase 1 Forever?

Shalbrihil · 11-18-2006, 11:21 AM

Phase 1 Forever?

Q: How long can I stay on Phase 1 of The South Beach Diet™?
—Will

A: The South Beach Diet™ is a three-phase diet. If I wanted you to stay in Phase 1 forever, then I would have made a one-phase diet. In general, I recommend you move on to Phase 2 after two weeks of Phase 1.

Many of our subscribers think that the purpose of Phase 1 is rapid weight loss. This is not the case. I developed Phase 1 as a method to eliminate cravings, and the majority of your weight loss will actually occur in Phases 2 and 3. If you remain in Phase 1 for longer than the recommended two weeks, you run the risk of lowering your metabolism and setting yourself up for yo-yo dieting. Instead of shedding the pounds and keeping them off, you may end up making it that much easier to put the weight back on.

That's not to say that there aren't some cases where dieters can stay in Phase 1 longer than the recommended two weeks. If you have a large amount of weight to lose, or if cravings persist past the two-week mark, then you can extend the first phase for up to one month. In rare cases of morbid obesity, you may be able to extend this even further to two months.

Still, the average person should complete Phase 1 and move on. While it can be tempting to stick with the restrictive and easy-to-follow guidelines of Phase 1, continuing with the diet as recommended will improve your overall health and promote continued and sustainable weight loss.

Arthur Agatston, M.D

Nana Susie · 11-18-2006, 04:11 PM

Thanks Sharon, I plan on staying with phase 1 for 1 month then moving on........I do have more weight to lose than the average bear (so to speak)

.

Shalbrihil · 11-18-2006, 05:20 PM

Nana Susie that's totally up to you. I was at 350 pounds when I first started this plan and did ok by going straight into the next phase at the end of 2 wks. I kept losing right along. Just wanted to put this up for the ones that didn't understand just what the first phase really does and what can happen if you are on it for too long a time.

Loner · 11-18-2006, 05:28 PM

That is such valuable advice....thank you for sharing it with everyone!

Edin · 11-19-2006, 09:42 AM

hi sharon, thanks for this wonderful post! i had to set the book down, becuase i had to study this past week for an exam i had yesterday to renew one of the licenses i hold for my work, so i need to keep reading, and re-read some sections later. i am struggling a bit, but am back on the diet. the diet is wonderful, and the food choices work for me. it is a "head" thing....."emotions" that trigger at night, and i have blown it. but i keep getting back on the program, though i have not dropped more than the first five lbs yet. but i am determined, so today IS a new day. i also am trying to come up with an action plan for evenings to help me over the hump. i have experienced some depression since a really bad divorce, and becuase i had to stuff down my eomtions during the day just to function so i could work and financially survive, i developed some unhealthy coping skills. that is how i gained the weight. i suppressed so much during the day, that it all flooded out at night. i am making progress, but this change is my hardest challenge to success. doing things like taking a hot bath, reading, etc just dont help. i need to get myself out with others more at night, so i need to find some things to do yet watch my budget. finances are still a real challenge. i got a little dog from the PAWS program 2 months ago, and he is such a joy to have and gives me wonderful company also. anyway, tks for listening. sorry for my ramblings. my weight loss and future maintenance requires me to make some other big changes, and i am trying. you all inspire me with your wonderful sharing. tks so much everyone!! hugs

Shalbrihil · 11-19-2006, 03:02 PM

You're sure welcome Edin. Well I can atest that changing isn't easy. I too have had my share of ups and downs but I think the real key to success is just don't stop trying. All things come for those who wait.

I know that is how I worked through some of my issues with food. Late night eating was a real test of wills. Now I'm just not interested in eating after dinner even though I wake up several times a night.

I have 2 rat terriers that are my furbabies. They are so much fun and keeps me up and active. Sending your little one hugs and a doggie cookie.

Edin · 11-19-2006, 07:47 PM

sharon, tks for your dear words of encouragement. i know you are right. even if any of us lose all the weight we want, there will be times we might slip and over do, and being able to get back to healthy eating asap will just be part of the cyle of real living. i am struggling, but i am setting mini goals for myself, and just feeling better by changing to south beach has also bene worth so much. i love your posts, and thanks again for writing to me.

you have rat terriers! they are soooooooo cute! i know how easy they are to love. my little dog actually had a seizure on monday (which was my birthday), and so i had him in the e.r. dog hospital. it was an awful night. but thank God he is ok. so it was a wild week. and made it harder to stick with the diet. but i am back at it.

thanks again, sharon. your posts are inspiring. hugs

11-18-2006, 11:21 AM	#1
Shalbrihil MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,874 Gallery: Shalbrihil Stats: maintaining my loss since 2005 WOE: SBD Phase 3 Start Date: June 2003	ASK DR. AGATSTON~Phase 1 Forever? Phase 1 Forever? Q: How long can I stay on Phase 1 of The South Beach Diet™? —Will A: The South Beach Diet™ is a three-phase diet. If I wanted you to stay in Phase 1 forever, then I would have made a one-phase diet. In general, I recommend you move on to Phase 2 after two weeks of Phase 1. Many of our subscribers think that the purpose of Phase 1 is rapid weight loss. This is not the case. I developed Phase 1 as a method to eliminate cravings, and the majority of your weight loss will actually occur in Phases 2 and 3. If you remain in Phase 1 for longer than the recommended two weeks, you run the risk of lowering your metabolism and setting yourself up for yo-yo dieting. Instead of shedding the pounds and keeping them off, you may end up making it that much easier to put the weight back on. That's not to say that there aren't some cases where dieters can stay in Phase 1 longer than the recommended two weeks. If you have a large amount of weight to lose, or if cravings persist past the two-week mark, then you can extend the first phase for up to one month. In rare cases of morbid obesity, you may be able to extend this even further to two months. Still, the average person should complete Phase 1 and move on. While it can be tempting to stick with the restrictive and easy-to-follow guidelines of Phase 1, continuing with the diet as recommended will improve your overall health and promote continued and sustainable weight loss. Arthur Agatston, M.D __________________ Sharon 150# gone forever.

11-19-2006, 09:42 AM	#5
Edin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: So. Calif Posts: 6,790 Gallery: Edin WOE: South Beach Start Date: November 2006	hi sharon, thanks for this wonderful post! i had to set the book down, becuase i had to study this past week for an exam i had yesterday to renew one of the licenses i hold for my work, so i need to keep reading, and re-read some sections later. i am struggling a bit, but am back on the diet. the diet is wonderful, and the food choices work for me. it is a "head" thing....."emotions" that trigger at night, and i have blown it. but i keep getting back on the program, though i have not dropped more than the first five lbs yet. but i am determined, so today IS a new day. i also am trying to come up with an action plan for evenings to help me over the hump. i have experienced some depression since a really bad divorce, and becuase i had to stuff down my eomtions during the day just to function so i could work and financially survive, i developed some unhealthy coping skills. that is how i gained the weight. i suppressed so much during the day, that it all flooded out at night. i am making progress, but this change is my hardest challenge to success. doing things like taking a hot bath, reading, etc just dont help. i need to get myself out with others more at night, so i need to find some things to do yet watch my budget. finances are still a real challenge. i got a little dog from the PAWS program 2 months ago, and he is such a joy to have and gives me wonderful company also. anyway, tks for listening. sorry for my ramblings. my weight loss and future maintenance requires me to make some other big changes, and i am trying. you all inspire me with your wonderful sharing. tks so much everyone!! hugs __________________ - Stephanie "Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them." - W. Clement Stone

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11-18-2006, 04:11 PM	#2
Nana Susie Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 854 Gallery: Nana Susie WOE: Atkins Start Date: 8-2-08	Thanks Sharon, I plan on staying with phase 1 for 1 month then moving on........I do have more weight to lose than the average bear (so to speak) .

11-18-2006, 05:20 PM	#3
Shalbrihil MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,874 Gallery: Shalbrihil Stats: maintaining my loss since 2005 WOE: SBD Phase 3 Start Date: June 2003	Nana Susie that's totally up to you. I was at 350 pounds when I first started this plan and did ok by going straight into the next phase at the end of 2 wks. I kept losing right along. Just wanted to put this up for the ones that didn't understand just what the first phase really does and what can happen if you are on it for too long a time.

11-18-2006, 05:28 PM	#4
Loner Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 4,141 Blog Entries: 2 Gallery: Loner Stats: my boys and their favorite phillie Brett Myers	That is such valuable advice....thank you for sharing it with everyone!

11-19-2006, 03:02 PM	#6
Shalbrihil MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,874 Gallery: Shalbrihil Stats: maintaining my loss since 2005 WOE: SBD Phase 3 Start Date: June 2003	You're sure welcome Edin. Well I can atest that changing isn't easy. I too have had my share of ups and downs but I think the real key to success is just don't stop trying. All things come for those who wait. I know that is how I worked through some of my issues with food. Late night eating was a real test of wills. Now I'm just not interested in eating after dinner even though I wake up several times a night. I have 2 rat terriers that are my furbabies. They are so much fun and keeps me up and active. Sending your little one hugs and a doggie cookie.

11-19-2006, 07:47 PM	#7
Edin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: So. Calif Posts: 6,790 Gallery: Edin WOE: South Beach Start Date: November 2006	sharon, tks for your dear words of encouragement. i know you are right. even if any of us lose all the weight we want, there will be times we might slip and over do, and being able to get back to healthy eating asap will just be part of the cyle of real living. i am struggling, but i am setting mini goals for myself, and just feeling better by changing to south beach has also bene worth so much. i love your posts, and thanks again for writing to me. you have rat terriers! they are soooooooo cute! i know how easy they are to love. my little dog actually had a seizure on monday (which was my birthday), and so i had him in the e.r. dog hospital. it was an awful night. but thank God he is ok. so it was a wild week. and made it harder to stick with the diet. but i am back at it. thanks again, sharon. your posts are inspiring. hugs