Hey Spoon, those are words right out of my thoughts. Ditto, ditto, ditto. But maybe, just maybe, we can walk together and make it this time. Stay strong and remember, we can go as slow as we feel comfortable with.

The biggest lesson I have learned is to be prepared. Always have something safe in the fridge/freezer so that I don't have an excuse. I do not keep any dollar bills or quarters in my wallet so that I am not tempted by the vending machine at work. As a matter of fact, I use a different copier in the building and try to avoid that room whenever possible. I only take healthy foods to work, so that if a temptation is present, I have a fall back.

I found a tea that works for my sweet tooth and when I have it, it really seems like I have had a treat. It is an herbal tea, Hazlenut Flavored and I steep it with another herbal tea that is Vanilla flavored. Put in some FF creamer and a package of splenda (with fiber) and yummo, it really satisfies. I have one during the day at work and one at night before bed.

Yesterday I had to stop by the grocery store after work...we ran out of toilet paper. I was tired and hungry, not a good combo. First thing I saw when I ran in was the bakery section. I would give up chocolate any day for a donut. I knew I had the potential to be in BIG trouble, so I got what I needed and went and got an Atkins candy bar that was lower in fat and had 5 carbs. While I know it was not the BEST choice, it was SO much better than where my brain was trying to take me. So I also learned to have a little something in my purse for when I have an emergency like this...I now have a bag of cashews and a little package of tic tacs and some sugar free gum. I am hoping as I get farther into this that the temptations are not as hard for me.

Everyday is a new day, and those who are successfull at weight loss have road bumps just like we do, they just make sure they start over the next day instead of being de-railed. I choose this for myself because in the end, I choose to be healthy and happy. Make it a great day ladies! I love the support here. You make my days so much more bearable.

[QUOTE=Arctic Stamp Queen;3530656]The biggest lesson I have learned is to be prepared.

So true! I made a large chili and have some frozen and part in the frig for tomorrow and I can't tell you how good that feels knowing I have things ready.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll get this right yet.

hi, I just started yesterday...I did do the diet several years ago but didn't stick to it longer than the 2 weeks because I didn't lose much and got discouraged...I think this time I am in it to succeed...I think it is a very healthy diet and hopefully reading everyone elses struggles and successes will be helpful...I have a very difficult time motivating myself to excersize because I really don't like to! I did join Curves a few years ago and was able to lose some weight and maintain it until I stopped excersizing again and menopause arrived so I have all this middle area that seems to grow overnight...anyway...thanks for reading...

Marla, welcome back! Priority is the word. We must make ourselves a priority if we are going to be healthy and stay on plan. That is my word for today, PRIORITY.

B - coffee w/sf creamer, 2 eggs, lf cheese, 1 turkey bacon, v8

Kinda have an idea for the rest of the day for will post tomorrow what I actually ate.

Has anyone found new things in this lifestyle that they did not know they liked. I live in Alaska. I have virtually my whole life, so veggies have not been a huge part of my diet, they are expensive and I am SO NOT a gardner, though I am gonna give that a go next summer. But I am finding that I have expanded my palate beyond lettuce, corn and cucumbers.

I now enjoy peppers, cauliflower, brocolli, herbs...mmm I love herbs and what they add for flavoring.

I have been pleasantly surprised. You?

Good question, ASQ! I've found so many new ways to prepare veggies and I've really discovered how much my body loves whole foods instead of pre-prepared convenience foods. I astound myself almost daily with the kind of things I put together. Yesterday, for dinner, I put some homemade fat-free refried beans on the bottom of a bowl, topped it with a bunch of spinach and topped that with some salsa, fajita peppers and a few chicken chunks. it didn't look very good, but was so tasty! Today for lunch, I used dijon mustard instead of dressing on my salad - yum! I find it funny that I add spinach to just about everything that I make now, whether it be smoothies or in place of rice. Spinach is easily my favorite veggie.

I come from a long line of cooks...my family owned a popular Italian restaurant in our area for decades so food has always been part of my life...I think food and talk food so I love coming up with new things too...I find this diet a bit time consuming because there is alot of prep involved...but I love to cook so...This morning I tried a ricotta pancake for breakfast that I found here in an old post...it was very good and a nice alternative to an omelet. I lugha t myself with how much food I am bringing to work but I don't want to be caught unprepared...Last night I made a delicious fish dish that I found on Kayln's Kitchen website...If you haven't found that website check it out.
thank you all for being here and good luck through your day today...may be back later...by the way how often do you weigh yourselves? I have been avoiding the scale and weighed in when I started Weds, but am only going to plan on weighing in once weekly

Hello all,

Congratulations on your successes. Sounds like you are all doing so well! I have just completed week 1 of phase 1, and I'm happy to report that I've lost 7 pounds.

I agree that being prepared is key, and I need your help in that area. Besides nuts and cheese sticks, what do you think are some good things to have on hand for "emergencies?"

~Suzie~

Suzie, OMG the list is so long, don't know where to begin. Perhaps the best advice would be to check out the recipes and when you have a few extra minutes, go ahead and make one or two and then divide them into serving sizes and freeze them. It's such a good feeling to know you have them available in case of an emergency. Then, there are the usual items that you should have on hand but too many to list. Perhaps you could just look at the phase one list of foods and pick out what you like and make sure you have it in the house.
Great loss so far, keep up the good work.

Edit: a couple of hours later.........You know, I've been thinking about what you asked for and realize that I to have the same need. I've been looking at several recipes and before I can prepare them, I have to go shopping as I don't have some of the ingredients. I'm coming to realize that I am shopping for different items than I ever have before. Sooooo, I'm going to type up a list of the most common food items used on phase one and post it in my kitchen. Then I will highlight the items as I get low or am out of so I can then use that to shop with as I find I'm not used to buying some of what I am eating now and keep forgetting things when I'm in the store. Thanks Suzie for giving me the push I needed to do this.

Today was my last day on Ph1, I was out, and got chicken salad that looked OP from the label, and when I started eating it it had raisins in it It tasted sickly sweet, I guess my tastes have changed. I am a bit worried about Ph2. I just got the hang of Ph1.

Tomorrow I will see the grand total of what I have lost DH just told me he could tell I had lost

Morning y'all!

My name is Deborah - I'm 22 and starting the South Beach Diet today! I live in the UK and hoping to lose a few pounds...mostly for my own self-esteem but also to feel fitter and have more energy.

I love love love my food, especially pasta, cheese, bread, and my nightly glass of vino...all the bad stuff! I exercise every day but just need my eating habits to match those I've established with exercise. Luckily my other half works at a gym, so the free membership helps!

I'd love any support/guidance/help from you guys, as I'm going to find keeping myself disciplined tricky! However we're going to Italy in 2 weeks so I'd love to look good in the pictures for once.....quite a good motivator.

How is Phase 1, realistically? Is it awful? More importantly, does it work? Let me know guys, hoping you can be support me thru this and I in turn would love to help others!

Have a good day guys!
Deborah

welcome debbie! am in ur timezone so will just tag onto ur post!

i am a SBD re-re-returnee & currently day 2 P1.

SBD does work..i have lost up to 20 kilos on it-however, as soon as i went back to old, unhealthy eating patterns i packed everything back on. i think the most important thing is to be prepared!!!

phase one semi-gross for me the first couple days..am hypoglycemic and it takes me a while to adjust. already feelin bit queasy & lightheaded....must remember to pack smart snacks!!!!! but on positive side: gets rid of cravings and u can drop a lotta weight ( i once lost 11 lbs)

good luck!!!!!

Today is my first day of Phase 1. Started to feel a little crappy around 11 a.m. It has been a real eye-opener to me how much my body depends on carbs and sugar.

I also decided while I am at it, to give up caffeine. Whew! A lot of change.

I do think I am going to feel better soon. I am so tired of being sluggish.

Hang in there Randi and . The first three or four days were the hardest for me and you are right, your body is changing but it will be so worth it.