not losing a lot of weight

stewbug · Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:25 am

This wednesday is my last day on phase one and I cant say that i have lost much weight. I think maybe 2 or 3 pounds, but I have not been going to the bathroom regularly, has anyone else exprienced this. I mean i was eating pretty healthy before SB so is that why I am not losing a lot of weight now. I am just starting to get frustrated. The book said 8-13 and i really wanted that. I have been sticking to SB and not cheated once.

Please someone give me some motivation.....becaus I am at the point where I feel like giving up and eating some sushi with real rice.

mesh1991 · Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:21 pm

8-12 lbs loss is fairly rare, except for those with a lot to lose. There are stickies at the top of the Phase 1 section that address this issue. It also depends upon how much you need to lose. The less you need to lose, the slower it occurs. Also, do you exercise? Although it is not required and it certainly varies due to your physical condition (definitely talk to your doctor first if you have any physical conditions or limitations as I am not one) it can help you lose faster.. Post your menus. I have found when I get the 2 cups of dairy, at least the minimum amount of veggies required and 64oz or more of H2O per day my loses are steady. I know many find beans beneficial as well, just watch portion sizes as they are calorie dense. Again, post your menus, that should give people a better way to help you.

**Edited due to not finishing my thought on exercise :?

cortcase · Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:42 pm

It seems like there are a lot of people posting in the first few days of P1 who are discouraged and say they're ready to go cheat. I can understand why the lack of an immediate loss could be disheartening, but I've got some bad news for you: some people experience months and months without weight loss on SB due to stalls, plateaus, etc. I've been playing with the same few pounds for months, and I know there are many other people on here who can empathize. But the point is, weight loss on SB can be slow because it's healthy weight loss. You don't want to be losing muscle or losing weight you won't be able to keep off later. This way of eating DOES work. Even if you're not seeing the results you want immediately, your body is getting healthier. You have to be patient and committed to SB as a lifestyle, not a quick fix. If you stop eating on plan, you will eventually gain the weight back. As others have mentioned, the rate of weight loss depends on a lot of variables, including how much you have to lose, whether you're exercising, how poorly you ate prior to SB, etc.

Not to sound like a cheesy self-help book, but the only person who can truly motivate you is you. If you need a kick start, check out the tickers or before/during/after tickers of people on these boards. SB does work, and a lot of us are living proof of that. If you are dedicated to the SB way of life, you will succeed. Good luck!

P.S. If you're having...bathroom issues ;) you might want to try adding a fiber supplement to your diet. Just make sure it has no added sugar... I get a sugar-free one at Target that I use occasionally, and it doesn't taste too bad.

sonia L · Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:40 pm

I also didn't not lose much on phase 1.. 4lbs.. but oh my GOD am I happy I am on this plan.. I feel so much better!!! No Gas... no bloating.. I have so much more energy.. I am to the point now since I have tried every diet out there.. that I don't care If I lose weight.. (well I want to lose) but right now If I can continue to feel good that right now that's all that counts and I just hope that the weight will come off with that.. :D

RedRox · Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:39 pm

The book lied. Still a good healthy eating program for life though. Most people lose far more weight in P2 than they do in P1. It just takes longer. This was never designed or intended as a quick weight loss program. It was designed as a heart healthy lifestyle dietary program that usually allows people to lose weight along the way. Slow weight loss is usually a lot more effective than fast weight loss anyway.

trying again · Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:17 pm

I have been on phase 1 for 13 days now, have not cheated and not finding it difficult. I've maybe lost 1 lb that comes back and forth. 4 yrs ago I lost 45 lbs on it, started losing in phase 1 and lost 15 lbs in 1st month. This time I figure I need to loose about 20lbs. Why isn't this working? Should I proceed to phase 2 or stay in phase 1? Please help me.
My diet consists of: eggs, part skim cheese, zucchini, fish, chicken, turkey bacon, sugar free fudgsicles or sugar free pudding, turkey pepperoni, salad, mushrooms, tomatoes

RedRox · Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:30 pm

For whatever reasons, most people who come back and repeat P1 again, do not see the same results they saw initially. Just an observable fact. Also you only need to lose half of what you lost the first time and even on the first go round those with 20 lbs or less to lose often do not see very dramatic losses in P1. I'd move into P2 and focus more on non-scale benefits and goals and work on making it truly a dietary program for life.

You can always post your P1/P2 menus and quantities in the appropriate forum and there are those here who might be able to see some areas for improvement.

lovemyvet · Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:42 pm

If you only have 20 pounds to lose, it's not going to come off very fast.

Also, how were you eating before starting Ph 1 this time? The people who lose alot in Ph 1 typically 1) have ALOT of weight to lose, and 2) were eating really badly before starting (lots of fast food, chips, cookies etc)

You might also want to look at your caloric intake this time around. If you have less to lose, you're calories need to go down a bit accordingly.

artbigred · Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:34 am

I am brand new on this message board, but I have been on the SBD for 2 1/2 years. I have lost 88 lbs and I feel great. Since I have lost so much weight my skin was just hanging on stomach, so I treated myself to a full Tummy Tuck June 5th 2007 and believe me, my life has changed because of this diet. I will one day soon sit down and write a blog of my 2 1/2 yr. adventure on SB. My cholsetrol came way down, I no longer have to take my GERD medication, and I believe it is the best diet in the world. It is not a quick fix diet. I joined Curves and I go 3 times a week. I didn't lose alot of weight in the first phase. But I did lose my desire for the carbs. It made it alot easier not to cheat. There is so much stuff you can eat on this diet that with will power you can do this forever. I waited along time to get to the point I am at now. In phase 3, about once every 2 weeks I have a nice cheat day. I get me a Burger king whopper and Fries and then off to the Dairy Queen. But the next day I am back following phase 2. It all comes down to what you are willing to give up... My motto is ,,,Nothing taste as good as thin feels. Good luck all on your journey. Artbigred

sweitz145 · Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:54 am

I am in the same predicament. I did phase 1 for 2 weeks and did not loose anything. However, I do feel great and I am not hungry. I was already on Weight Watchers and lost 40 pounds, but now I am up 10 pounds and I am bored on WW so I tried South Beach. I am getting a little frustrated that I am not losing anything. I started phase 2 and began to slowly introduce new foods each week. I am used to specific guidelines from WW and I was wondering if there are guidelines for SB as well, so I know how much of proteins, vegetables, cheese, dairy and nuts to eat.

RedRox · Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:49 pm

yes there are! Both the food lists (P1 and P2 add-ins) and the meal planning template provide this kind of info. There are links to these threads available from the forum FAQ thread put together by Kimboroni and available in the sticky threads at the top of the main South Beach, P1, and P2 forums. Always a good place to start! ;)

sweitz145 · Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:23 pm

Thank you. Those guidelines are great!! Is there anything out of those guidelines that are unlimited? Sometimes, the 3 meals and snacks keep me through the day, but there are times that I need an extra snack. That is why I was wondering if there was anything unlimited if hungry.

RedRox · Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:37 pm

Vegetables and protein are pretty much the unlimited items. LF cheese as a protein falls into this categoy too, but most find too much cheese to be counterproductive.

sweitz145 · Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:45 pm

I finally realized that lowfat cheese is considered a protein and not dairy. What types of foods do you eat for the 2 cups of dairy for the day?

RedRox · Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:11 pm

Basically milk and yogurt. fat free or 1% milk and fat free or low fat plain yogurt in P1 and some types of flavored ones in P2 (but in smaller qtys.) Details in the food lists.


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