Extending Phase 1 for the Nay Sayers!
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| Fri, 02-29-2008 - 1:50pm |
Excerpt from an original interview with Dr. Agatston himself.
http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/71/81355.htm
Member question: How long can you safely stay on the Phase 1 part of the diet?
Agatston: Phase 1 is to get rid of carbohydrate cravings. Once this is accomplished, it is fine to begin Phase 2. For those who are quite overweight, they often are doing very well on Phase 1, they are not hungry and do not want to leave it. The rapid weight loss in Phase 1 also gives a very positive feedback. The problem with staying on Phase 1 and losing too much weight too rapidly is that you lose muscle and bone mass, which is very metabolically active. If you lose muscle and bone mass, you will be burning fewer calories while you are sleeping. For this reason we recommend exercise, which helps to maintain muscle and bone mass and therefore a higher metabolism or higher metabolic rate. We recommend moving to Phase 2 at least by the third or fourth week. The more there is to lose, the longer it is okay to stay on Phase 1, but we still like to see movement to Phase 2 at least by the third or fourth week.
This part I am adding from the article just because it relates to diabetes.
Note: it does not say that Diabetics absolutely should start in Phase 2.
Moderator: Are there any special medical conditions that would preclude trying this diet?
Agatston: No, there are no special medical conditions, but if a dieter is on medications for high blood pressure, for diabetes, for heart failure, then adjustments of medication may be necessary as the diet is started or it may be preferable to begin in Phase 2. So for anybody on medications, we recommend consultation with their physician when beginning the diet.
Member question: How does this diet work for teenagers?
Agatston: Another good question. We are going through an almost unbelievable epidemic of obesity in our teenagers. We are now commonly seeing adult onset diabetes in those who are not yet adults. Although more exercise is certainly important for overweight teenagers, the adoption of the South Beach diet would completely reverse this dangerous trend.
Jason

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The "over blown drama" was caused by you Jason.
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