I've been on the South Beach Diet for about 5 days now but have cheated 3-4 times due to feeling REALLY ill. I would like to get down to my target weight of 119lbs from 133 before I start Phase 2. Should I just keep doing the first phase till i hit that weight? Also, is it okay to not follow the plan, just dish up my own recipies (made a lovely tomato soup earlier) while following the Foods to Enjoy list, and such? As well as that, should I lay of exercising every day like I do for 50 minutes until I get down to my target weight? Or just do the arobic 50 min video (dance, tone, box, yoga, warm up) a few times and week, and how many?

I'd really appriciate if someone answered these burning questions hehe
Thanks for your help! x

Hi, Cobalt!

If you feel ill at any point, you really should see a doctor. Truly. Also, how tall are you? Your goal weight for the end of Phase 1 sounds very, very low, even for an adult woman who is 5' tall. Have you consulted your doctor when choosing this goal weight? It really might not be right for you.

Most 3FCers do not exercise during Phase 1, as they find they have less energy. If you feel well enough to do it, try it, but don't push yourself, please.

Yes, feel free to modify the menus in the book to suit your needs, but watch the foods and the ingredients to ensure that they match what the book tells you.

Hi Cobalt

I use the Foods to Enjoy list and put together my own meals. A lot of processed foods contain a lot of sugar and salt so be forwarned if you use a lot of this type of food. I stick to lean meat, vegies, low fat dairy products, eggs and peanuts. There is a lot that you can do.

SB Diet is a lifestyle rather than a crash diet. You need some time on phase 2 to get used to having good carbs in your diet. If you get down to your goal weight on phase one then go back to your old eating habits you will probably regain your weight loss. Similarly you need to withdraw from starchy and sugary foods during phase 1 so it is important to have a span of two weeks without cheating. After this time you will not crave these foods and can reintroduce healthier versions of them in moderation. If you are unwell it may be best to wait until you are feeling better before you start. If SB Diet is making you feel ill then you need to rethink what you are eating.

I exercise daily because my work is fairly sedentary but it will depend on how active your lifestyle is. I try to get an hours exercise a day but then I probably spend 6 hours sitting at a desk/table or in front of the computer so I need to.

I understand from other posts that you are 13 years old. Did I read that you are Type 1 Diabetic? You really need to work any diet under the supervision of your doctor especially since there may be insulin levels to adjust. This is a healthy lifestyle but kids need more stuff than 41 year olds like me! Also, he may feel that 119 is too low for someone who is 5 foot 3 inches.

Cobalt, truly, talk this over with your parents and go see a doctor before you decide on a goal weight. 119 is very low for someone of your height. Perhaps, if you are unhappy with the way your clothes are fitting, you need to do some toning and strength traning to become more fit. But that should be with your doctor's advice too.

We just want to make sure you are healthy, okay? :

Thanks everyone for replying I asked my doctor today at my latest diabetes appointment. He said the weight is acceptable, but no less than that. He agreed with me on the levels of insulin I am taking, as my BM's have in result been great. However, he did say to do the first phase for no more than 2 weeks, but forget the first phase if I begin to feel ill again. I'm now feeling a lot better

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I've restarted phase one as of today, and will be doing it for two weeks religiously. It'll be a lot easier in 3 days when school ends, because I'll be able to eat whenever I want. Again, thanks for the help xx

Great news, Cobalt! I'm glad you are okay and that you are communicating with your doctor! Make sure you follow his advice and I bet you'll see great results!

Great news, cobalt! I'm so glad you've talked to your doctor.

Thanks Hope I make it!

Cobalt... just one thing... I noticed that you have set your goal to 119lbs. for August 17th.

You need to understand, that may be a VERY unrealistic goal. I know that the SBD book promises between 8 and 13lbs in the first two weeks, but that's not a common weight loss. For someone like you, who has very little to lose (14 pounds is a relatively small amount), it may take longer. For me, for instance, it has taken me more than 6 weeks to lose 9 pounds -- and I have been religious with this diet.

So, you just have to be patient, ok? And good luck to you.

Yeah.. I understand that its unrealistic. However, I would be happy with a weight close to it cause that's when I go on holiday. Then I have two weeks on holiday and one more when I get back before school, thus giving me another 3 weeks for school So, 119 realisticly is my target weight for September 6th