So, today is Day 14 of phase 1 for me. I stuck with the diet and am so proud of myself because its the longest I've ever gone on a diet. I cheated once. This past Tuesday I was going out after work to a bar with friends and wouldn't be able to go home first. I knew there would be tons of temptations out, so I had 2 extra servings of pecans that afternoon to make my stomach feel really full (and it worked! Spent 3 hours at the bar and had 1 glass of unsweetened ice tea the entire time and not 1 drop of alcohol or bite of bar food!). So yes, a cheat, but it was extra pecans vs. an order of bar nachos with a side of miller-lite.

Got on the scale this morning and havent lost a pound. I've fluxuated up and down 2 pounds over the past two weeks, but this morning, back to the original number.

I posted earlier about lack of weight loss and it was recommended I try more veggies (I wasn't getting 4.5 cups a day) and I have been overloading on veggies - making sure I DO get all 4.5 cups a day now.

So what now? Stay on Phase 1? Move to Phase 2? Or should I reevaluate the whole South Beach thing (I understand that not all diets are right for everyone).

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm whinning - I really have been so excited these past 2 weeks with this diet - I've felt great and like this is a diet that i COULD do. But now - my enthuisaum is defaintley going downhill - fast.

Any suggestions out there?

Okay, first take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back for making a commitment to your health

Now, I'd suggest posting menus, maybe someone will see something there.

Questions:
How has your water intake been?
Have you been reading labels on all your foods, especially things like tomato sauce, salsa, anything prepared.
Portions aren't such an issue in Phase 1 but how many servings of cheese, nuts, fats?
What was your diet like before starting? If you weren't eating a lot of processed carbs you just might not have had that much water weight.

How are your cravings after the two weeks? I'd suggest a slow and careful transition to Phase 2 with maybe a week of really measuring and weighing just to get an idea of your portion size. It really will work, it might just take a little longer to kick start your body.

ETA - I would be really disappointed too. The important thing now is not to give up on yourself. You can make this work

Hi, I agree with Cyndi, do not give up, everyone is different. The fact that you made it through PH1 is good, Did you do measurements at all, sometimes that is where you will see it.

But you say you felt great during PH1 that tells you something. Hang in there.

I agree with everything that's been written in response so far! Sounds like you did great, for the most part. And, yes, I'd feel discouraged too I'd suggest you take Cyndi's advice before you give up.

Well, thank you to everyone for the words of encouragement. And even with the weigh in this morning, I stuck with the diet today (omlette for breakfast FULL of veggies and more veggies for lunch and dinner will be a "taco salad" of lettuce, veggies, 97/3 lean beef, and a little salsa).

As for the questions:
1. Water is ALL I've been drinking. Almost 2 liters per day. I've given up coffee (I really only like coffee with my Vanilla Creamer that is LOADED with sugar and carbs and fat - so I just gave it completely). So its been only water - with the exception of that 1 glass of ice tea at the bar on Tuesday.
2. Yes, very closely reading the labels. I've always been a label reader, but now even more so. I haven't eaten too many processed foods - but like cheese sticks and salsa, I've made sure to get lowest sodium/sugar/calories I can get. But its really been 75% veggies and proteins I've cooked myself these past 2 weeks.
3. At work - there are so many temptations because we have 2 kitchens full of total junk food to snack on so the only 2 things I can eat are the nuts and babybel lites. So during the work week - i have my 1 serving of pecans and 2-3 pieces of cheese (50 calories each). I've also have 1% cottage cheese at breakfast or dinner some nights.
4. My diet wasn't THAT bad before actually. Yes, I had the occasional frozen pizza or fast food trip for dinner. And I did eat the junk food at work - but at home, I NEVER buy cookies or chips or anything (I learned years ago the best way to NOT eat that stuff is to just not walk down those aisle in the store. And it's work wonders for years). I do know I wasn't getting nearly as much veggies though.
5. And I haven't had any cravings. I've actually been ok with all the proteins and veggies. Although, for the past 48 hours, I've REALLY wanted something sweet. Not fruit or bread, but like a cupcake or big cookie. BUT I'VE REFRAINED! Even tonight at Target, walked past that cookie aisle with pride and marched down to the water aisle.

So, yeah. There it is. I'm going to stick with it until at least the end of January. And if I dont see any kinds of results and still stuck at 290, I think I may switch diets...

Thanks again for your help and encouragement. I promise to keep truckin' along and stick with it.

I'm so sorry about your frustration! I think it's a great idea to stick with it until the end of January and reassess then. I am wondering if you have tried logging your calories/nutrition on a website for a few days? I know the South Beach 'principles' say you don't have to do that, but I do it every few days as a quick check- one day I ate 2000 calories, which if consumed every day, will definitely not allow me to lose. I have long known that eating higher fat helps me lose faster, but I know that everyone is not the same there. You are right that not every diet is for everyone- but just stick with it and see what happens.

On another note, have you had a physical/blood work done lately to rule out any metabolic/thyroid/insulin issues? I was convinced that I had some health issue when I was on Weight Watchers/low calorie because I just wasn't losing. They gave me prescription strength Vitamin D for a deficiency, and I've read that that can have an effect on weight loss/gain as well. I started SB at the same time I started taking the prescription, though, so I don't know if the chicken or the egg came first! Anyway, it would be good to have that stuff done for peace of mind if it's been more than a few years.

Oh, and another vote for doing measurements! Over the weekend I was sulking that my weight loss was probably just water (I am one of those people who has to find something wrong with every situation, apparently) but I was amazed that I had lost inches EVERYWHERE I had measured (thigh, arm, waist, bust, hips).

On another note, I love how positive you sound, despite your struggling. You are going to be very successful, just try to stay patient and trust that your results will come!

So sorry about the disappointment, so proud of your perseverance!

Sometimes we are just slow to lose. That's my life! Just hang in there. Do the measurement thing if you can. Just keep doing right and staying active. I know it will all work out for your benefit.

Also, you are not alone. When you have been good for so long, you want to see a reward. Some of us just have to have the idea that feeling good needs to be the reward and the weight loss is just the bonus. (notice I didn't say icing on the cake. even my words are on SB)

Sorry about the lack of weight loss. Too bad you didn't take measurements before you started. You may have lost inches.
Congratulations on your discipline and motivation! How are your cravings? Totally gone?
Have you added any kind of exercise in? I know it's disappointing, but maybe it's just going to take you a little while longer.
The one thing that stuck out to me is that you said you had always been a label reader. Had you been doing some kind of weight loss program before starting SBD? The reason this may be important is that Phase 1 is really about eliminating sugar/starchy carbs to eliminate cravings. The weight loss is great, but ultimately not what it's totally about.
I know this is my 2nd time on SBD. The 1st time I went straight from being a junk food junkie and started the program and lost about 14 lbs on phase 1. When I restarted I had been calorie counting and eating a low fat
(high carb) diet for 7 months with a nice amount of gradual weight loss. My Phase 1 weight loss was less dramatic this time. Maybe 7 lbs. But my body didn't have all of the bad stuff to get rid of this time, hence a smaller loss.
I agree that maybe you should try journaling to see exactly what you are eating or maybe combinations? I noticed I have a lose less when I eat a lot of beans.
Just hang in there a little while longer.
Just like DJS I needed a vitamin D supplement, and also take cinnamon and chromium to assist with my insulin resistance. Could this also be a problem for you? Maybe a quick visit to the Dr may clear some things up for you.

Well thank you all again for the encouragement!

First - Mzkiki - I wasn't on a weight loss program before, but being over weight all my life, I've tried to do what I can when and where I can. So I read labels and try to pick the healthy option. I've only eaten whole wheat bread and skim milk for the past 10+ years. I don't keep chips or cookies in my house. My real problems have been work (where there there are 2 kitchens LOADED with free, unhealthy junk) and my 1-2 per week fast food runs. But really - other than not eating enough veggies, my diet has never been terrible. (**** - I even gave up soda 2+ years ago!)

But after some thinking this weekend (and this total inability to kick this sugar craving that came out of no where on Friday), I gave myself Sunday and Monday to "cheat". I figured, if I hadn't lost anything in 2 weeks, why would it matter if I cheated?? So last night I went to the grocery store and got "cheat foods". Came home, ate, and was totally unsatisfied.

I thought I'd get this feeling of euphoria in my mouth and stomach with crap foods, but really, they didn't do anything for me. My body had gotten used to not having that stuff - it didn't taste all that great when I was cheating. I had it all built up in my head and the reality was nothing like I thought it would be.

So, now that my cheat days are over - I'm RESTARTING Phase 1 tomorrow. And this time, I'm going to log every morsel that enters my mouth and I'm really going to try to stay away from processed foods with added sodium. Looking back, I think that could have been a huge factor. Yes, I can eat tons of hummus, but was I washing the beans before making the hummus? Nope! Was I thinking about all the sodium in the Tabasco sauce I was adding to things for extra flavor? Nope! The salt on the nuts at work? Nope!

I'm also going to find a doctor and get a physical (I moved to DC almost 4 years ago and have yet to find a general doctor...yikes!!). Maybe there is something medically I haven't factored in. (Wouldn't that be wonderful? "Yes Katie, it's been here all these years. Just take this little pink pill once a day and those pounds will just FALL OFF and you'll be a size 6 by summer!).

Again, I cannot express my gratitude enough. I dont have my support at home, so this board has been wonderful. My 2 days of cheating have taught me those crap food cravings are ALL IN MY HEAD and they will not be as good as I think they will be. And I *CAN* do this. I know I can. It might take me a little longer, but I CAN DO THIS.

Blondie,

I am in DC too. Welcome here! I moved here 12 years ago and haven't left I had a GREAT GP when I loved in northern VA. PM me if that is convenient for you.

Get back on the horse. I know the numbers on the scale can be daunting, but it's not as daunting as how badly you feel with all the extra weight. I am glad you got it out of your system, had some self discovery time and are ready to win.

Log your food here so we can help you. Also, are you exercising?

I love DC! I went to school in Baltimore and wish I'd taken advantage of the proximity more.

I'm glad to hear you're going to see a doctor, and I will cross my fingers that everything is okay and you will lose and be encouraged! I have often had the same experience with diet cheating- it's never as good as you expect it to be! And once you recognize that, it gets easier. It sounds like the sodium had a lot to do with your struggles- and it sounds like you've got a great game plan going forward! Keep us updated and let us know how it's going.