Opinions - Can you abuse Phase 1?

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Registered: 09-02-2003
Opinions - Can you abuse Phase 1?
16
Fri, 10-31-2003 - 12:27pm
I have been seeing this come up in several posts about stalling out during TOM or stalling while adding back carbs. Some people suggest going back to phase one for a little bit or revamping the good carbs.

My question is what are ya'll thoughts on Phase one and abusing the phase? Better yet, could phase 1 be used as a crutch? I don't know what i think of this, but I am interested in hearing what everyone has to say. I have read on the Atkins board, that their induction stage can be abused and cause problems.

Thanks in advance.

Ria

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Avatar for imthebigsister
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 10-31-2003 - 1:24pm
I'll dive in. I think you can abuse Phase I, although "abuse" is perhaps too strong a term. There have been many posts here about people feeling constipated on Phase I. The quantities of veggies we eat - strangely enough - can contribute to the problem; the fiber we would get from grain products, beans, and the like would help relieve it. We have to get over the fear of adding back whole grain products that have a couple of grams of sugar in them. As long as we're not abusing cake, pie, cookies, chips, etc, those couple of grams of sugar from a very healthy product should not be big issues.

I hope Ellen or mommydotcom weighs in on this; their medical backgrounds would help me understand the lots of veggies/constipation connection as well as the fiber/less constipation connection.

JMO!

Donna

177/165/143




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Registered: 09-02-2003
Sat, 11-01-2003 - 12:43pm
What I mean is going strong for 3 weeks on P2, having a stall, going back to P1, losing a few, going back to P2 and so on.

I stayed on P1 for 3 weeks and then P1.5 for a week, and now I have been in P2 for 5 weeks now, I think? Anyhow, I was never scared to add back carbs. It was just part of the program. It's been a fun game to me. take care all!

Go GEORGIA BULLDOGS!

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sun, 11-02-2003 - 11:11am
Ria-

My husband is a bulldog too! I'm a northeasterner, but I've been steeped in some of the traditions over the years. Did you partake in the "World's largest cocktail party" yesterday?

Hope
Avatar for imthebigsister
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 11-02-2003 - 12:10pm
OK - I get you now. I thought you meant doggedly staying on Phase I for as long as it takes to lose some magic numbers of pounds. I don't think revisiting it, as Maryann plans to do, would present a problem over time. It's part of the program - playing with carb intake until you find what works without causing those annoying little weight bump-ups, and even figuring out how much of a certain food either satisfies your need for that taste or fills you nutritionally without doing damage.

I'm beginning to think that eating "correctly", whatever that means, is almost as complex as rocket science!

Donna

177/164/143

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 11-02-2003 - 12:11pm
Hi guys ---- I have been thinking about this. There are vegetables that do have high fiber content and will help to keep you regular, however, it is harder to get enough fiber on phase 1 than it is on phase 2 --- I think that most people really don't eat enough of these veggies to make a difference

The biggest problem I see with staying on phase 1 for long periods of time is boredom - like Dr. A. states in the book; and the fact that you are cutting out some important vitamins and minerals as you are cutting out a lot of different food selections such as fruit, dairy and grains.

However, I don't think that if you use it like Dr. A. states in the book - if you go overboard on Phase 2 and want to drop back to Phase 1 for a few days, or to kick up your metabolism a notch --- this wouldn't hurt.

Ellen

 

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Registered: 07-17-1999
Sun, 11-02-2003 - 8:21pm

I think this is what you are asking:

 

winter 2010 siggy

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Registered: 09-02-2003
Sun, 11-02-2003 - 9:46pm
Goodness... I didn't think my question was all that hard. OK. Let me rephrase again for the second time. Maybe an example would help?

Ok... a person did two weeks of phase one. They have been on phase two for 4 weeks adding back carbs. All is going well. YIPPIE! Then, on week 5, the gain two pounds. WHAT????? OH NO!!!!! (Well, not for me, because I am not weight number obsessive as some seem to be). So, they get all down on themselves, and they decided that they MUST go back to phase one for a week because they gained two pounds. Can using phase one like this be abused?

Another example would be someone in the same situation, but instead of gaining 2 lbs at week 5, they stall. The next week, they don't gain or lose anything, but still have a goal they want to reach. They decided now that EVEN though they have been on phase 2 for 6 weeks now, they have reached a stalling point, and the only way to get back on the losing track is to go back to phase one for a week. Can using phase one like this be abused?

It was not my intention to cause such a confusing with one question. I was reading over on the Atkins board that if you use induction (similar to phase 1 but more strict) in this way, the benifits would not be the same and in essence could be abused. I was curious what people thought over here. I've noticed several people (seems to be scale riders) who are going back to phase 1 for a period of time after being on phase 2 for several weeks. IMO, it doesn't seem fesible to go back to phase 1 if you decided you wanted a piece of pizza. If I have something that is SBD, I don't automatically go back to phase 1 for a week. I just adjust my exercise or adjust my eating for the next day. It's just how I do it though. SBD allows people mistakes or indulgences.

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers
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Registered: 07-17-1999
Sun, 11-02-2003 - 10:25pm

I wouldn't worry so much about it being a "confusing" question. I asked, because I wanted to clarify what you were saying. But this continues to be an interesting discussion, none the less!


Now what I see you saying is can you sabotage your own weight loss by jumping between phases (or jumping between phrases too frequently)? Is that it?


Here are my thoughts on that one: Dr. A suggests that this diet is easy to follow, because you can move between phases based on your needs. He suggests that if you get totally off the diet and can't seem to get back on track, that you go back to Phase 1 until you get your body

 

winter 2010 siggy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 11-03-2003 - 9:33am
I agree with you Catherine --- as I stated in my previous post under this thread,

Dr. A states that the phases are set up that you can go between them depending upon your needs.

However, I guess if someone is completely obsessed about losing large amounts of weight every week, then keep going back to phase 1 could be abused, as that large weight loss will probably only occur that one time as you are readjusting your body and they may be mighty disappointed that it doesn't happen again. However, it can be used to kick up that metabolism a bit when you feel yourself backsliding or help you with cravings.

Ellen

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2003
Mon, 11-03-2003 - 12:56pm

Would it be acceptable to go back to phase 1 for one week each month in order to increase weight loss?

Dr__Agatston:The reason for proceeding to Phase 2 for weight loss is that too-rapid weight loss may include body mass (such as muscle and bone) which can result in a slower metabolism and yo-yoing. One way to combat this is fairly vigorous exercise to maintain body mass. If you have a lot of weight to lose, particularly belly fat, and you are exercising vigorously and regularly, then returning to Phase 1 ...
for a week will probably work.

What happens if you "cheat" within the first week? Must you start the first week all over again?

Dr__Agatston:It depends on how much you "cheat". If you have lost your cravings, which is the major goal of Phase 1, then proceed to Phase 2 on schedule.
If you have cheated to the point where you still have cravings, then I would consider starting over.


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Maggie  

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