If you stay on Phase I longer than two weeks...

[Kitty-cat1]

If you stay on Phase I longer than two weeks, do you still see the same type of weight loss, as you did during the first two weeks?

The book says to expect an 8-13 pound weight loss after two weeks, so if you stay on it for four weeks, could you expect a 16-26 pound weight loss? If not, what could you expect during weeks 3 and 4?

Thanks!

[1oftheLuvs]

Since a good portion of your first two weeks weight loss is water, I would not expect that rate of loss to continue in additional weeks of Phase 1.

I really wish Dr A hadn't put that 8-13 pound expected loss for Phase 1 in the book... weight loss is not predictible nor linear and not everyone will lose that much in their first two weeks.

If you have a lot of weight to lose, you'll lose more than someone closer to their goal weight. Someone who already eats healthy or who has been doing a low carb program will lose a lot less than someone who eats a lot of off-program foods before starting South Beach.

One of the dangers of continuing Phase 1 for longer than 2 weeks is that if you get bored with your meal plans, you're more tempted to "treat" yourself to off-program foods. I personally think its best to do two weeks of Phase 1 and then move very slowly into Phase 2... adding one fruit in week 3 and then one grain in week 4...

Feel free to join our daily check-in thread... we've got a great group over there.

[PghMarsha]

Kitty-Kat,

As you may know, regardless of the plan you choose, we are making life-long changes in the way we eat. Losing weight is kind of an added benefit. This is not a diet, it's a way of eating for life.

I've done Phase 1 freqently in the 7 months I've been following SB and have had no ill effects. This usually happens when I've made poor food choices over a period of time. Kind of an attitude adjustment - bad habits are hard to break. Cautiously going to Phase 2, as 1oftheLuvs said, is better for you nutritionally and you won't feel "deprived".

Enjoy your journey and the best of luck to you.

[1oftheLuvs]

I've also done that, Marsha. I did about 5 days of Phase 1 when we got back from both of our vacations... It was a combination detox and mind set adjustment. It really seemed to work well for me.

[SJR]

I stayed on Phase 1 when I did the diet a few years back. I kept losing weight, but not as quickly as the first two weeks. That was okay, because there's no guarantee you'll keep it off if you lose it fast.

Suzan