I have been reading some of the other posts and it seems that most everyone is doing great. Way to go!

This is my second week on SBD. I cheated one day during week one and still managed to drop 4.5 pounds. I cheated the first day of week two but got back on track the next day. My cheating has been around consuming more than I should rather than eating the wrong foods - which is a very good thing. Saw some cookies at work yesterday that were screaming my name. I managed to stay away from them but, boy, was I drooling....

Even with the incentive from the weight loss I still have given into the urge to overeat. Anyone else have the same urge? Do you have any sure fire suggestions for not giving in to that urge?

Buttbegone -
Congrats on your awesome week.
I don't think you ever lose the urge to eat something off plan or overeat. I know I don't. But the SBD really helps me to control myself - I know I cannot have breads or sweets because I just want more. By giving up simple sugars, the urge to overeat and eat the wrong things are less intense, but this takes time. I maintained for 6 mos. but I had to watch it. I could have some pancakes maybe once a month or a sweet treat every few weeks, but no more. I found once I started "cheating" I didn't stop - and I gained 11 lbs over the holidays. The diet is a lifestyle change that must be consistent in order to work.

The best suggestion I have is do everything you can to stay OP for 6-8 weeks until it becomes a habit. Then, once in a while (like once a month) allow for a treat or special meal, but only if you get right back OP. Incentive for me is realizing that eating like a horse over the holidays was absolutely not worth gaining 11 lbs.

Sounds like you are doing so well - even if you eat more of the right things at least you are staying away from the sweets. As time goes by it becomes so much easier. We can do this! Its so worth it.

Hi ButtBeGone - Your overeating isn't uncommon! You have been sticking with the right food, and in my opinion, that is much better. If you think by the end of the two weeks that you are having urges to overeat, then you might want to hang on to Phase 1 for a few extra days (Dr A says the first phase is to cleanse of cravings). If not, make sure that your urges in Phase 2 are still satisfied by Phase 1 foods. Don't overeat on the whole wheat bread, the brown rice, etc. Congratulations on a job well done!

I used to cheat with the pistachios. (30... hahahahaha! What a JOKE! I'd eat the whole bag!) But I still lost weight, and I figured it was better than eating my usual chips and chocolate.

It is so easy for us to condemn ourselves when we 'cheat' - even the word suggests a moral lapse. I try and go easy on myself and think of it more as a 'whoops' and refocus myself. I just know that the screaming critic in my brain is just too ready with the 'call yourself a dieter, cant even resist putting that one tiny thing in your fat mouth blah blah blah blah...' and before I know it I am facing the kind of misery that only chocolate or years of therapy can heal.

Soooo.....I think of it as learning a new thing. And it might take me longer to learn it than it takes others, and that is ok, because it is my body and my health, and my journey.

It sounds as if you are doing marvellously. Overeating is something to handle second maybe, after handling the bad carb reduction? You could maybe think of it like that.
xx

Buttbegone,
Hi...I also strayed just a wee bit (2 times) during Phase 1 & still lost 10 lbs, I also did not totally abstain from red wine either...I had a couple glasses on those 2 occasions as well. Maybe that's why I lost 10 and not 13....hmmmm.
Good Luck & keep up the good work!
January

I did yesterday, my son plopped down on the couch with a huge bowl of red grapes, without even thinking I dived right in. Hopefully it will not hurt things to much. I started Monday, and I am so proud that I have not had any candy yet (which is everywhere here at my job, not matter where I look people have bowls of candy on their desk).

So hang in there, I am new but the support and ideas here is wonderful! Thanks to all!

Lori

Thank you very much to all of you who replied. I really appreciate your motivating words, your support and your suggestions! There sure seems to be a great group of people here!