Debbie :hug: I started Beck and loved what I read but didn't stick with it. I'd like to give it another try because I also have some attitudes and behaviors that just need adjusting. I did notice that just the little bit I did stuck with me. I'm so much better about being hungry now. I actually pat myself on the back instead of freaking out and looking for food.

tammie - I saw Cat pop-in on another thread with her famous scale advice. Sometimes you just have to step away from the little monster. Increase the water, watch the sodium and keep on keeping on.

Heidi - I always introduce my parents to recipes from here. Last visit I got my Mom hooked on mock snack cake. Now she takes it to work when she subs so she can get everyone else to try it ;)

Now that we are back from birding and it's obviously not going to be a yard work day (windy and bitter) I need to get to my inside list. Anyone else planning a visit back to P1 this week? I've got some serious planning to do.

I'm not going back and doing a Phase 1 over, but I am cracking down more on the starchy carbs. I've been going a tad bit overboard with them lately, although it's still fully within the Phase 2 guidelines. I'd like to read that Beck Diet Solutions book, too. And another book that I'm interested in reading is Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint.

It's cold, windy, overcast, and downright ugly outside and looking like rain any minute. All I feel like doing is curling up under a quilt with a pot of tea and my laptop. We did go out earlier for breakfast and I got my new pans (Calphalon is on SALE at BB&B!), and stopped at Mom & Dad's for coffee, but I'm in for the rest of the day. The kids will be here later, and they want rigatoni & meatballs for supper, so that's easy enough. I'll have leftover spaghetti squash pie.

I got 2 quarts of strawberries for .99 @ yesterday and am thinking about using the mock snack cake recipe to make a shortcake. I'm not sure if anyone will eat it if they know it's made with beans, but I think I'm going to try it anyway. I won't tell them, but they know by now that if I'm eating it, then there's something "funny" in it. :dizzy:

Debbie, don't let your stepdaughters get you down. You are a treasure, and we all love you! :hug:

Tammie, I'm a firm believer in not trusting the evil scale. I don't even own one, although I will occasionally weigh in on the Wii scale, just to see my progress. Even that is goofy, though, and goes up and down for no apparent reason.

Hey girls! Just another Manic Sunday!

Debbie :hug: I hope you're enjoying a nice day with Kirk and the pups.
FWIW, I wish I could come visit you over Easter....

I was so glad to read Cyndi's question about going back to phase 1. I've been thinking about it for a few days and almost started a thread to get some help with this.

Is there much point in going back to phase 1 if you're not having any cravings? I have no cravings and I am OP most of the time. (I might have half a cookie or half a brownie or something once or twice a month, usually at a classroom party.) Twice since October I've gone more than a week without losing any weight but the rest of the time I've been losing a steady 1-2 lbs/week so I've never felt the need to go back to phase 1.

I really wanted to be down 50 lbs by Easter (April 4) because that will also be my 6 months on South Beach anniversary. I think that's why I can't just shrug my shoulders and say, "Ah, what's another week?" :lol:

I'd happily go phase 1 for the week if I thought it would zap those last 3 pounds quickly, but I am not convinced it will speed my weight loss at this point in the game. What do you think?

Heidi, the first time I did Phase 1, I lost 11 lbs., but hardly lost anything whenever I redid it again. I've always read that the reason for Phase 1 is to rid your body of any cravings resulting from sugar and refined carbs, and Phase 2 is where the real weightloss begins. If you aren't having any problems with cravings now, I don't think it's necessary to do a Phase 1 at this time.
I know for me, the closer I get to a healthy weight, the slower the weight comes off, and that may be what's happening to you, too.

Thanks Linda. That's pretty much what I figured too, and one reason I've never gone back to phase 1 since finishing it. I was just looking for a quick fix. lol

I'm still more than 20 lbs from what the charts consider 'normal' weight for me. Isn't that early for things to slow down? I'm fine with losing 1 lb/week rather than the 2 lbs/week I had been losing, but this half pound/week is no fun. :lol:

Heidi, the charts all say that for my height and body structure, the perfect weight for me is 116 lbs. :faint: I haven't weighed that since I was in my teens! I'm comfortable with how I look and feel at around 135 - 140 lbs, so that's my goal weight. The closer I get to it, the harder it is for the weight to come off. You're only a few inches taller than me, so it's possible that that's what you're experiencing, but I could be wrong.

I think I'd look like a skeleton at 116, I can't even imagine! LOL!

I went to a get together at a friends house last night to watch the UFC fight... I was surrounded by beer, chips and dip, pizza, etc and somehow managed to stay on track and not cheat. I left there feeling pretty darn proud of myself (and think I converted a few of the girls to SBD in the process:D).
This morning I got up and went to my mom's house. We dug drainage ditches in the area I plan to grow my veggie garden in this summer. Whew! What a workout, but it will all be worth it when I have my own personal fresh, organic veggie store in my mom's backyard! Can't wait!

Heidi - I'd like to know why the stinkin charts don't adjust for age. I hate them more than the scale ;)
I've been having a really hard time sticking to the structure of SBD. I'm not sure I'd describe most of the problem as cravings but there's way too much grazing, the too frequent off plan nibble, and too large portions. I just need to get back into the right framework and Phase 1 seems like a good way to do that. :shrug: I'm not sure it will work but it's worth a try for a week. I'm also starting Beck again and hope that will also help.

As far as goals go, my final weight was 35 lbs lower than my goal weight. I was still losing pretty easily when I blew by my goal weight so just let my body go where it wanted. When the loss stopped I figured I'd hit a comfortable place for my body to be. I've always been extremely overweight or obese so really had no idea what was possible. Now I have physical reasons for wanting to keep my weight as low as I can while still being healthy and comfortable. Some days the weight is still a surprise though.

Good for you Kelly! :) Chips still really tempt me... but I'm afraid if I have one it will be all over! :lol:

Thanks Linda. I'm thinking I'll be happy at 150 - 155 and don't plan on working to get below that right now. My cholesterol/blood sugar/BP etc are all good and I feel really good, and believe I'll be able to maintain at 150 without too much trouble. Besides, it's not like the extra 20 lbs is going anywhere... I can always lose it later if things change.

Cyndi I've wondered the same thing about weight charts and age. IMO weights that look sleek and slim at age 20 or 30 start to look frail as women age. Not that I'm in any immediate danger of looking "frail".... :p

It's a funny thing though, I KNOW that I'm 52, but I just don't feel like I am. I wonder where all those years went?

Hey everyone! I'm officially halfway through Phase 1. Woohoo! :carrot:

I took a nap this afternoon and had a dream I was eating a Cinnabon. :lol: The funny thing is I realized halfway through eating it - "wait a minute, I'm not supposed to have this, I'm on Phase 1!!!" and I felt horribly guilty. So funny.

Good evening
Boy what a busy weekend I had. Won't go into details.
Debbie - don't you pay attention to what SDs say, they probably have lots of luggage and need to take it out on someone and you are handy. You are a very generous and giving person.
Heidi - About three years ago my dr. sent me to a diet clinic she approved of but it was so low carb that I decided not to do it. They weighed me on this special scale that took my bmi and whatever else. I'm 5'4 3/4 and the dr. told me I should weigh 156 lbs. also I am older than you. I would be very happy to be able to maintain that weight.
take care
Sophie