My name is Denise and I am new to SB but NOT new to diets. I am still stuggling to grasp the nuances of this eating plan, so I have some ?. I had been following Phase 1 for about a week and a half when I went out to a restaurant and ordered low carb zuccini lasagna (zuccini instead of noodles) and a salad with house vinegrette. I thought I was being a good girl but the scale stalled right after that. I am thinking too much sugar inthe sauce or dressing? What do you think? Then: yesterday was a day early to startPhase 2 but we were going to a special occation brunch and I had a few things on the rarely list. Now what should I do? I gained one lb.
Thanks in advance.

Denise, welcome to the Beach!
How much have you lost on Phase I, and how much weight do you have to lose?
Are you drinking plenty of water?
Tell us a little more, and we'll advise you.

As you can see in my new signature, I lost 7 lbs the first week. I was hopeful for 3 more by the second week, but as I said I stalled after the restaurant food and then on Sunday I started Phase 2 one day early because of going out to brunch. I ate a small cheesecake brownie and a cookie that day and regular bacon and other SB allowed foods. I gained one lb. Now, do I have to go back to Phase 1 because I gained a lb. and cheated a little or what? I have been doing Phase 1.

I have never been a thursty person and I work at a job were I am not allowed bathroom brakes until lunch time. I have been drinking a protien shake with one carb and 2 cups of coffee during work; water and diet root beer at night. Sometime a glass of milk as a afterwork snack.

Denise, if you're not keen on continuing on Phase I for another week, do Phase II for a couple of weeks. But stick to the allowed foods!
You can always go back to Phase I. It sounds like you're about ready to cheat, so I wouldn't even try staying on Phase I right now.
I'm going to copy your post into the regular section so that more people will read this...

I find that if I eat something really salty like chinese food I bloat up about 3lbs overnight but if I drink lots of water by the next day I am back to normal. Also when it is that TOM you will retain water for a few days then lose it again. It could just be these two things but it is important to stick to the allowed foods during phase one. It helps break the cravings. Be warned that about weeks 3-4 you will stall. This is because your metabolism is trying to clutch everything it can and often responds by retaining water. Stick with it and the weight will start to drop again, this time you will notice the inches starting to disappear because this is when you start to lose fat instead of just water.

Hey Denise Welcome to the beach!

Hi, Denise! Welcome!

First of all, stop worrying about carbs. How many carbs doesn't matter, what carbs does. You do need to drink a lot of water. If you can't do it during the day, try to do it at night and get in as many trips to the bathroom before dinner as you can.

You may want to do Phase 1 for a couple days to get that sugar back out of your system. Otherwise, stay away from all the foods to avoid, and jump into Phase 2, adding ONE starch or fruit for the week. Slowly reintroduce other carbs and starches to see what it does to your loss.

You may want to poke around the FAQ and some of the stickied articles in the main forum to get some ideas. Glad you're here!

I did the exact same thing. What I did was go on PH1 for one week and will start PH 2 Round 2 on Thurs. I think it was good for me bc it got my carb cravings out of my system. Do what you need to do!

Welcome to the Beach!

Welcome!

I just wanted to be clear, I don't feel like cheating all the time, it was just at that giant mouthwatering buffet we went to. I don't have an iron will. I have to say no everyday for little things, like pizza crust and a roll for my sandwich,but I have more trouble at a special occation like that brunch was. I won't be going out to brunch again for months, I am sure. Today we made chocolate cookies, and I didn't eat one. The smell was torture, though.

I have lost my craving for carbs, but I have found when I was on atkins and now, you don't lose your emotional attachment to food or sense of smell. As you can tell, I'm a foody, I love to bake, cook, and talk about food. It's a family thing. I don't think that will change, but I will do it using the approved foods.

I am grateful to SB for getting rid of my bedtime binges on sweets. Now when I am hungry at night, it's usually because I didn't eat much for dinner so I have some ricotta cream or cheese or nuts. I am amazed at myself when I eat nothing at all in the evening. I never thought I would be able to stop.

I think I will start Phase 2 soon. I already stocked the feezer with whole wheat and rye, so it would be handy.

Oh, could someone direct me to a recipe to use plain yogurt. I bought some and don't know what to do with it other than adding splenda and vanilla. I tried finding it myself on the recipe threads, but couldn't. Maybe a cream sauce or dressing.