[pinkcandiez]

Ok, so I have been in phase 2 of the south beach diet for the last 2 months approximately. Everything was going well. Cravings reduced drastically- I didn't even eat the south-beach friendly sweets. Only during my time of month would I eat peanut butter and 70% dark chocolate which was fine- I was content that it only came once a month. Anyways, for my birthday, I did the very bad thing of overindulging in cookies, milk chocolate, candy, diet soda, etc. It was a HORRIBLE 2 days. I felt so bad I went back to phase one for the last week. The only problem is that I haven't been perfect. I keep craving sweets so I had a bit of dark chocolate, made south beach friendly peanut butter cookies (phase 1), but I keep craving more. Even had a few ferrer rocher for the week. Now, I'm stuck as I want to start phase 2 again tomorrow. Just 2 fruits each day for the week and maybe some starches by the end of the week. Should I keep trying phase 1? Or just move on to phase 2 with fruits? Like, the cravings are still here (well, I hope that maybe by tomorrow they should be better) but I want to keep losing weight and I feel like this is hindering me =/ Any help would truly be appreciated! <3

[cottagebythesea]

Isn't it amazing, that after eating on-plan for a while, as soon as we fall the wagon, we feel awful? It's like our body is screaming "No, no, nooooo! Don't eat that junk!"

If it were me, I'd stick with a strict Phase 1 until all my cravings were gone. If not, you are still going to struggle with them in Phase 2. And eating foods with sugar, such as fruit, are only going to increase those cravings.

[jenne1017]

I am with cottage - I'd do at least 3-5 days of a STRICT Phase 1. You won't kick the cravings until you do!

[Mmckellen]

Agree with Jenne and Cottage but recommend adding in lots of beans and cheese for those days you are doing Phase 1. They always seem to really help me with the cravings.

[Ruthxxx]

Good advice. Aside from being really strict, I would avoid artificial sweeteners too. IMHO they set up cravings for sweets and that's not good.

[pinkcandiez]

Thank you everyone ! I am doing phase 1 again- I was actually quite successful today :3 Stocked up on ricotta cheese too hehe. That always happens on phase 1 for me. I shall try 3-5 days total. If the cravings have gone off by the third day then I shall start phase 2 again.
I know, eh? And now, I feel like I'm cheating when I eat bread- even when it is whole wheat! I used to eat fairly healthy but my diet used to be higher in carbs/lower in fats. Like, I would even refuse olive oil because of the calories too! Now, I eat waaaay less carbs (even the good ones) and eat healthy fats. I even eat 85% chocolate- never thought that would happen as I used to love milk chocolate! But yeah, after doing phase 1 successfully the first time and phase 2 as well, my taste buds changed. Now, I can only have moderate amounts of starches- even the healthy ones!
And yeah, I think beans are a good idea! I have some black turtle beans just asking to be made! I shall try making them tomorrow!
And yeah, I generally avoid artificial sweetners. I use stevia in my morning latte and to make desserts but I think I shall stop the stevia latte/desserts until phase 2 again. Good suggestion! Thanks!
And how should I transition to phase 2 again tho? Just begin with the 2-3 servings of starches/fruit or add 1 a day?

[jenne1017]

It depends on what works for you. You may have to play with it some but I would have one a day for a week - I had either fruit or WW and played with the time of day.

I have stalled over the last few weeks (considering the holidays so maintenance is ok by me) largely in part to more than 2 servings of WW a day and more than 3 fruits. So I am going back to no more than 2 servings of WW and 1 of fruit a day. And I know fruit should be later in the day. But I am on month 6 of Ph 2...

[pinkcandiez]

Ok, thank you!
And thank you everyone

[cottagebythesea]

Closing this as OP's questions have been answered.