Day 11 on Phase 1 with Type 2 Diabetes
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 02-27-2008 - 3:13pm |
This is Day 11 on the South Beach for me. As I promised my Doctor, I have been monitoring my Glucose numbers very closely. I started with a weight of 242 Lbs. I have lost 8 lbs in the first 8 days. I now refuse to weigh myself until Sunday, which will be the end of two weeks on Phase 1.
OK, here is my question, and I know its probably been asked before. As I have read many posts in this forum, I see where Dr. Agatston, is quoted as saying if you have more than 100 lbs to lose, it is ok to stay on Phase One slightly longer. If I go by the weight charts I have found on line, and the weight the Diabetic nurse has told me I should weigh, I should be about 165 lbs for my height. This is an ideal weight which does not take into consideration that I am muscular and large boned. I was told I could add 10% for being large boned, and another 10% for muscularity. Of course I think the issues of adding extra percentages for this and that just confuses the issue. At least it does for me.
What I would like to know is, will it be ok for me to stay on Phase 1 for another week?
Will one more week on Phase 1 help normalize my sugar even more or have I done all I can with that in the 2 weeks I will have been on Phase 1?
Is there anyway for me to get this question to Dr. Agatston directly, or can someone who has access to him possibly ask these questions for me?
My purpose is first and foremost, the normalizing of my sugar or Glucose. My Doctor has agreed, to take me off my Metformin for two weeks, and give me a more conclusive Fasting Glucose test, then just the A1C. My glucose testing numbers have been consistently under 130 with a few exceptions. My lowest has been 108.
Please let me know what you think.
Thanks
Jason
Edited 2/27/2008 6:17 pm ET by fatboyinil

Pages
That was only one of three questions I asked in the original post.
I posted a copy of Dr. Agatston's post above that I found in this forum in support of my original decision since I have been told in several posts here that Diabetics should skip Phase 1 and start in Phase 2. Again, this is not a question that I ever asked in any post. Although I never asked it, and consulted my Doctor before starting Phase One in the South Beach, the response for Diabetics to Start in Phase 2 has been posted repeatedly by others in this forum. I did appreciate the warning the first time it was posted. From what I am reading, even on this forum, in my opinion this appears to be more critical for the Type 1 Diabetes patient than Type 2. Its appears to me that the reason Dr. Agatston wants your personal Doctor consulted is because of strong possibility that medication might need to be adjusted.
This is my ultimate goal:
Member Question: Why does it seem difficult for type 2 diabetic to lose weight?
Dr. Agatston: If type 2 diabetics are on medication that stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, or are overweight and are on insulin, then weight loss can be difficult because the medication can be exacerbating swings in blood sugar levels. Most type 2 diabetics do extremely well on the diet, and it is often possible to reverse type 2 diabetes completely.
Jason
I have several Posts regarding extending Phase 1 on the net. This is exactly why I asked the question.
I was hoping that there might be someone in this forum that might be able to email Dr. Agatston directly or his nurse and get a direct answer.
Since My BMI number indicates that I am in the Obese category, I thought my question was appropriate.
Can I Extend Phase 1?
In some cases, it is appropriate to stay on Phase 1 for longer than two weeks: If you are considered obese you can extend Phase 1 to one full month; if you are morbidly obese you can stay on it for two months.
Here is another interesting story about someone who met Dr. Agatston and had approval to extend phase 1.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8646995/
Jason
Edited 2/28/2008 11:21 am ET by fatboyinil
Can I Extend Phase 1?
In some cases, it is appropriate to stay on Phase 1 for longer than two weeks: If you are considered obese you can extend Phase 1 to one full month; if you are morbidly obese you can stay on it for two months.
Jason,
Where did you find this quote?
By following The South Beach Diet™, insulin resistance and its associated cravings can be reversed and bellies will dramatically melt away. One note of caution, however, is if you are taking blood-sugar-lowering medications or insulin. Then The South Beach Diet™, especially Phase 1, should be started in consultation with your physician. This is because medication levels may need to be adjusted.
Seems like I have followed what was suggested by Dr. Agatston.
Jason,
We've compiled most of the diabetes advice from Dr. Agatston here:
Is there anyway for me to get this question to Dr. Agatston directly, or can someone who has access to him possibly ask these questions for me?
I'm not sure if this was answered.
I think you are probably better off joining the official South Beach site and posting your questions there if you are only interested in answers directly from Dr. A and not from those of us here who have the years of experience and success with South Beach. That's totally fine, we obviously are not officially credentialed or affiliated in any way - we just have the "in the streets" experience that comes from seeing literally thousands of people come and go here over the years.
I've already told you how I feel about Phase 1 (for ANYONE - diabetic or not) I don't like it, it sets people up for the mentality of "oh yea, if I lost this fast on phase 1, then I will just keep doing it longer so I can lose even more" I think I told you that in my other post. We see this over and over here, that is why Cathy said what she did about a "quick fix". Most people think if they keep doing phase 1, they will get to their goal faster or quicker. Not true and dangerous - it usually backfires in many ways. People who start to view HEALTHY fruits and whole grains as the enemy of weight loss never, ever succeed in the long run. I'm not saying you are doing this - but saying something like "I want to extend phase 1" sets of warning bells and red flags for us veterans that the person doesn't really understand the purpose of phase 1 or the benefits of phase 2.
Also, many of our members HAVE extended phase 1. Some were over 100lbs over weight. We had one member, I believe her name was Sara? She and her husband were both over 100lbs over weight and I believe neither of them saw ANY additional weight loss in their 3rd week of phase 1.
You asked about your blood sugar - yes according to the book you have done all you can in 2 weeks. Actually according to the book, you usually have undone any past damage within a few DAYS. In fact on pg.27 it says that on the FIRST day when you wake up that "your blood stream is a relatively clean slate. The ultimate goal is to keep it that way" and pg. 32 it says that after ONE day on South Beach "your blood is different than it was 24 hours ago". On pg. 45 it says "Once you've lasted through the 2 weeks of phase 1 and rid yourself of your sugar addiction, you are ready to begin adding more carbohydrates to your diet. By this time the insulin resistence syndrome has disappeared". So Dr. A fully believes and states that this occurs in 2 weeks.
belizesig1
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
These are the questions that I originally asked in my first post. Note: none of these have anything to do with weight loss.
What I would like to know is, will it be ok for me to stay on Phase 1 for another week?
Will one more week on Phase 1 help normalize my sugar even more or have I done all I can with that in the 2 weeks I will have been on Phase 1?
Is there anyway for me to get this question to Dr. Agatston directly, or can someone who has access to him possibly ask these questions for me?
My purpose is first and foremost, is the normalizing of my sugar or Glucose. My Doctor has agreed, to take me off my Metformin for two weeks, and give me a more conclusive Fasting Glucose test, then just the A1C. My glucose testing numbers have been consistently under 130 with a few exceptions. My lowest has been 108.
Fire mom, I find your first two paragraphs as unrelated to questions. I feel your tone is harsh, and find your comments unfounded and uncalled for.
Fortunately, your last paragraph finally provided some of the information I was seeking and I thank you for that. Whether it holds true for me or not, I will find out on Day 14 of Phase One. My glucose testing numbers have been dropping daily. Today they are all in the 120's or lower with the lowest being 103. I have almost reached normal blood glucose levels, which as I mentioned in the first post,was my foremost goal.
Jason
Edited 2/29/2008 12:28 am ET by fatboyinil
Hi Maggie.
I found that information by doing a Google search where I typed in, Extending Phase One.
The same information popped up on several sites regarding Phase One of the South Beach. I also remember reading a post either on this site or the other South Beach chat website I am on in regard to someone who is over 100lbs being allowed to extend Phase One, but I do not remember the time period.
I primary interest in Extending Phase One is in regard to Normalizing my Blood Sugar. Fire Mom has pointed out, that it Dr. Agatston says in the book that this will happen by Day 14 of Phase One. I will find out on Day 14 whether or not its true for me. I am happy to say my Glucose testing numbers have been dropping daily. My lowest number today was 103 so I am almost there. I really hope to put my glucose levels back into the normal range by day 14, but if not then I will need to reevaluate again.
Thanks
Jason
Okay, so like maybe I am crossing a boundary here, but I have really been having issues with your posts to the boards.
No - nothing I wrote was unrelated...
First - I said that if you want answers straight from Dr. A - one of your questions - then you need to pay the bucks to join the official South Beach site and post your questions here.
Second - will it be okay to extend phase 1 - I gave you my personal opinion - NO it is not okay for anyone to ever extend phase 1 in my opinion. Follow it or don't, like it or not - that is my personal opinion.
So I believe I answered all three of your questions, you just didn't like my answers.
Edited to add: I will bow out off all further discussion on this now. If you were looking for "support" here you have certainly insured exactly the opposite as I will not feel comfortable posting or responding to anymore of your questions and I know a number of other members will not either. That is too bad, because really we do have a lot of insight and valuable information to offer.
Edited 2/29/2008 8:08 am ET by firebird_mom
belizesig1
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
Pages