Well I thought that I had a really great grasp on this life-stule change, but apparently not . I went into Phase II on sunday, my dh's b-day, and I was so good. I only had the smallest bit of cake, I'm talkin' like 1"x1". No ice cream, no fatty dinner or sweets, nothing!! I got on the scale today and I have gained almost four pounds, what the freak??? I was so maticulous on phase I, no cheating, I had no desire. Now, I feel like I am failing before I started. I think I just need to vent
Has anyone ever felt, while OP, that this is a little like a board game where one roll you move ahead three steps, and the next roll you are in jail???
So I have put myself back on phase I and I hope to workout tonight, I think that I'll feel better. Lots of stress at the hospital and now weight gain-ugh!

Thanks for reading

Sorry, Mindy, I know it must be discouraging but you are probably doing the best thing. Are you sure you didn't add too many starches when you went on Phase 2? I know the suggested menus are high on starches.

not real sure what you mean by phase one or two but i do know what you mean about feeling like a failure i started the atkins diet last week and it has worked before now nothing i dont think i lost a pound so i think i'm going to change to the south beach but i am going to keep trying and i hope you do to we shouldnt let this keep us down.

I sympathize wholeheartedly! I was just reading on another board that artificial sweeteners can cause the same physical reactions in your body as sugar, I think the article said "if it tastes sweet, your body thinks it's sugar and releases insulin just as if it were sugar." Great. Now I'm wondering if my Crystal Light and Diet Cokes are causing me to not lose, because I know for absolutely sure and certain I haven't had any 'real' carbs. I just started Phase 2 this week and I've only added in fruit twice, a bread on day. I got on the scale this morning and it looked to be up a pound. (my scale is old and none too reliable) Like I you I'm thinking how can that be?? Now I wonder if on top of everything else I love and gave up do I also have to give up my one diet coke or crystal lite a day? I'm so depressed I could cry. Also, in your case do you think it could maybe be TOM or water retention from salty foods? I find myself using the salt more heavily now that prior to SBD, trying to get flavor from someplace, I guess. I'm trying to watch it, though, don't want to borrow more health problems than I'm already courting!
Hope you see those 4 lbs gone soon, maybe it was a fluke.
story

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30787
gives some hints re Phase II.

I think that some of us here have lost weight in Phase 2 sporadically. When I was on 2 my weight would stay the same or even go up a bit for a few days, then suddenly I would be down 4 pounds, then up 2, then back down. Then I'd stay the same again for another week or go up a bit, then suddenly I'd be down another 3. I always weighed in every day and I did get frustrated until I started to see this pattern. So give it some time, and keep on eating well, and see where you are in a week or 2. Don't panic yet.

Oh Mindy. I have felt that discouragement. But if you truly were transitioning to Phase 2, meaning you added just one or two items AND you only had that little cake...then there is some other reason the scale jumped. With the birthday did you drink less water the last couple of days? Is it your TOM?

But I think you plan is sound. Take a step back to where you had success and try again. Good Luck!!