As a therapist, I am trained in a type of trauma work called EMDR. The first phase of doing EMDR is helping the client establish what is called a "calm, safe place". A place in their minds where they can go and feel calm and safe. Most clients do this right away....but for some, simply establishing a calm safe place in their minds becomes the shorter term goal of therapy.

I say this because it reminds me of the fact that for me, simply completing a clean Phase 1 of South Beach has become my short term goal....forget about losing 25 pounds...let's see if I can do a clean two weeks.

So here I am, Day 1, Phase 1, Take II!!!!


Good morning, all.

:-)

Good Luck! I am sure that you can totally do it. The first few days are a bit rough for some people (including myself) but after that it is SUPER easy.

Sometimes you just have to take it a day, an hour at a time.

Mira, it was the same for me. It was important for me to complete a clean phase one which laid the foundation to then go forward. Good luck, I am hoping you make it.

Thanks so much. I may have to completely sequester! hahah

I used to tell myself that I could do anything for two weeks. But for me, PH1 is always hard. But so worth it.

Mira, I'm right there with you! Phase 1, day 1. My mouth is watering thinking about the salad that's waiting for me....Never thought I'd feel this way about a salad.

Here's to a clean Phase 1 Take II

Congrats on your start! Keep up, you can do it and it works!

Good luck! We know you can do it!

Im already at a point, 1.5 phase, where I am wanting to go back. This is my first time on a diet in 15 years and I love certain foods. I don't eat terrible overall, I have just had too many stresses, a mood disorder that I found out recently, and had my first and last baby over two years ago.

At the first five days, I was feeling great and mentally, doing great. I have slowly been going into another episode, seemingly a low. I feel and see like I can't can't do anything and that has influenced the way I act and think in terms of food. I have been controlling my choices despite my thoughts and urges, but I really want to stop this diet right now. I know this is just the BP talking, but gosh...am I ever going to have a break?

Frustrated Leslie

Hang in there Leslie. It is good that you are recognizing your moods and taking that into consideration when assessing how you are doing. As someone told me a few posts up, sometimes you just have to take one day, even one hour at a time. Stay on the boards, even if you "relapse". You chose to go on this diet when you were in a rational state of mind. Don't decide to stop it until you believe you are also in that same rational mind, K?

:-)

We can do it!

Sometimes the short term goals are the best kind to have. 25 lbs. or even a larger goal can seem daunting and can put a lot of people off track. 2 weeks isn't that long, and it may seem really hard, but you'll get the hang of it. it might take a few tries, but you'll do it!

good morning Zeff. Thank you for the encouragement.
I am walking/running a 5k on Sunday. My time has been 44 minutes. hee hee

You really have to start somewhere My first 5k time was over an hour - I wasn't last, but I wasn't far from it. I recently ran another one in 24 minutes. It has been a long road, but a satisfying one.

I offer my every encouragement to you. I've been at that phase 1 spot before where I just couldn't seem to get it to stick and I know how frustrating it can be. I promise you, that once you get over that initial hump, the rest of the road is relatively easy There is something about Phase 1 that is a mindset changer as well. It takes you from "can't do anything" to "look what i just accomplished! i can do ANYTHING!"

love seeing you around!

Thank you my southern neighbor!

When are you running the Cajun Cup?