Phase 1 IS NOT the weight loss phase

[Ph.D. 2 B]

Phase 1 when done correctly, and this means not only eating approved foods but actually following the plan, is purely for the purpose of curbing your cravings. As a side benefit many people lose water weight but it is entirely possible and normal not to lose anything in phase 1. This generally happens with:
People who have little to lose (30 and under seems to be the number)
People who really didn't retain much water before starting SB
And people who started SB as a way to eat healthy rather than lose weight.

Staying beyond the two weeks of phase 1 (unless you are severely over weight) is NOT NECESSARY. If you cravings are under control its time to move on to phase 2 where the real weight comes off.
As you can see by my ticker it only shows the weight taken off in phase 2 the reason being is that it shows fat loss not water loss. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stay on phase 1 more than two weeks(3 or 4 if your severely obese and even then 4 is pushing it) it isn't good for your body and makes it all that much harder to go to phase 2. For those with only a little to lose staying to long in phase 1 can cause your body to go into starvation mode (where it will being to store everything you eat). Like I've said before this is not a quick fix, playing with your health is not a sensible thing to do and its not necessary SB does what it is suppose to do by following the plan correctly with out going to extremes.

[kiwi girl]

Thought I would give this a bump up so people dont miss it.

[Ph.D. 2 B]

Thanks its been more of an issue this month.

[kiwi girl]

Yeah, not too sure why that is. It seems to be the one thing that everyone decides to make their own rules up about.

[chicanita]

Maybe someone else can chime in on this, but I guess some of us (myself included) get discouraged or disappointed when faced with truth of not losing anything during phase 1. After reading the book and listening to many accounts of people who do lose a considerable amount of weight (IMHOA). If I lost 14 lbs during phase 1 I would be almost half way to my overall goal. So I can see where some people may freak when we hear a lose of 8-13 lbs during phase one, its almost as if 8 lbs is the min. norm. So having done phase 1 before and shed less than 5 lbs I can see where people may be disappointed. After all it was only a few days since we were enjoying everything our hearts desired. When we start phase 1 of SB we basically go cold turkey on our old diet and make a drastic 360 in our diet routine. So having done those changes we are hopeful to see a drop of weight in the estimated range.

I can attest that I found the change every difficult the first couple of days. It was hard to not crave those sweet treats, candy, chocolate, cake, and chips. I didn't consume them in high quantities before, but I did indulge in them. Making that change drove me nuts, I was on a total quest looking for sugar free treats to help me stay good during phase 1. I made some mistake because those sugar free labels are misleading. BUT, I did learn. It's all a learning process and I don't crave those yummy treats as much. I've found alternatives to my old habits that are equally tasty and overall better for my overall health.

Anyhow, that is my POV on it because I've basically felt those emotions on phase 1 the first time and now the second time around.

Maybe others can chime in on their thoughts.

[Ph.D. 2 B]

I REALLY REALLY wish Dr. A had made it more clear that the people losing 8-13 in phase one had a great deal of weight to lose.
Maybe if I explain it like this
I had 314 pounds to lose when I started phase 1 I lost 16 pounds in phase 1 or about 5%

If someone had 50 pounds to lose and lost 5% they would have lost 2.5 pounds

We both lost the same percent but because of my size the number of pounds appears larger but relatively speaking we lost the same amount for our sizes.

What all this means is if your not my size your not going to lose the same number of pounds as me and shouldn't expect to your not starting out at the same weight as me. This is also true for the people that the average 8-13 pounds in phase 1 that the book totes those people were heavier than most and their loss was a drop in a large bucket.

[kiwi girl]

The other thing to remember too is the initial loss is water weight. That's why you tend to lose in week one but not week 2 as when water is gone, it's gone. This is why there is no point on staying in Phase 1 any longer.

As far as Dr A's claim of a weight loss between 8-13 pounds in the first 2 weeks, common sense must prevail.

[Karen-A]

Thank you PHD2B for posting that. You said what I've been wanting to say and I'm sure it sounded better coming from you. Way to go in terms of your determination and the support you give on this forum!

I may or may not end up losing 1-2 pounds in phase 1 and I don't care. (Didn't have a definitive weigh-in before or a consistent scale). If I lose in Phase 2 I will be even happier, as that is the WOE I can live with - a few fruits and some cereal back in my diet.

[Ph.D. 2 B]

Great attitude it is all about phase 2 that's why my ticker doesn't show any phase 1 weight loss it only shows phase 2 weight loss. Good luck I really do see you reaching your goal. My signature lines says where SB is concerned bad attitude = bad experience but it works the other way to
Great attitude=Great experience. Good Luck.

[kiwi girl]

Thought I would bump this back up for all those who ate too much over the weekend and want to do another week thinking it will help.

[LyndaB]

bump...

[Dharma]

I am so glad you posted that! I think so many people get discouraged when they don't drop that large amount of weight in phase 1 and that's what causes them to give up. I know that personally, had I not found this forum and met all of you, I would have given up on saturday when after a week of doing this I had only lost 2 1/2 lbs. I am, in fact, one of those people who only has 30 lbs to lose.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

[kiwi girl]

bump

[mochamom2]

I didn't lose in Phase 1 either. Started Phase 2 & have lost 2 pounds in a week. I want to lose 15 pounds or 20.

[coal]

I have just finished Phase 1, lost maybe 2 lbs. in week 1 and nothing in week 2. I'm feeling a little disappointed and was going to continue Phase 1 until I read some similar posts which discouraged staying on Phase 1. I am 38 yrs. old, 5'1" and weigh 133. My ultimate goal is 115, but my more realistic goal is 120. I exercise regularly (5-6 days/week; cardio and weight training) and feel fit and muscular, but feel that I definitely have 15 lbs. (of fat, I guess) that I should be able to lose. I am trying to tell myself that SB is a lifestyle not a diet and I'm hoping that I will see results in the long run (I'm just wondering how long that might be!!!). That said, however, it would be a lot more motivating to see a bigger loss right in the beginning. I'm assuming that the more you have to lose overall, the more you'll tend to lose in Phase 1. Is that true? As others have stated, I'm afraid to move on to Phase 2 for fear that I won't lose any more weight.

I'd love any feedback and motivation!!!