Phase 2 lasts until you reach your goal weight. There is no Phase 3 folder, because it is just using the eating habits you have already learned and continuing to eat healthy foods and only eat the foods listed as things to avoid in Phase 2 in moderation. So basically in Phase 3 you can eat some of the foods to avoid, as long as you do it in moderation and it doesn't make you gain weight back. So in Phase 3 for instance, you could maybe eat a little pineapple, which is a phase 2 food to avoid, and it would be fine. I'm sure one of the CLs will have a much better explaination. ;)
Jen is right - phase 2 lasts until you reach your goal. So it is different for everyone. It is basically the same as phase 2, but you can do more customization of the diet to fit your needs. For me phase 3 has meant no more counting grain servings, I will have 4-5 most days if I want. Not counting portions as closely, not measuring things like condiments or sweet treats. And adding back in a few otherwise healthy foods like watermelon and corn. And having treats just a little bit more. During this phase each person has to experiment to see what their own bodies limits are.
We used to have a Phaes 3 folder, I believe it was called "South Beach for Life" - or something like that. Unfortunately it wasn't a very busy folder. I think that once most people reach that stage, they don't feel as much need to come to a message board as regularly. They don't have as many questions and don't need as much support as people starting out. Its too bad though, I am in phase 3 and often wish I had more phase 3-ers here to chat with about the unique challenges of maintaining because takes a totally attitude than the weight loss phase.
How long has this board been here MichaelAnn? I hope to stay with you here when I reach phase 3. I was heavy my whole life and I would like to stay and help other women who want to work on eating healthy.
I believe its been here over 3 years. Maggie, Cathy and Karen have been around since the beginning, so they would know better exactly how long. I've been here about 16 months.
Our Successes folder is our un-official Phase 3 folder. If you haven't scrolled through it, you should. You will find lots of inspiring stories and pictures there!
But why would it be ONLY with the successes? Being in phase 3 isn't always a constant success - sometimes its a struggle too. Many people go too far and allow themselves too much thinking they are "done". I haven't had that problem, but for me this is my problem on phase 3 that I posted about in another post:
I've lost 65lbs in the last year. So I understand the DRAMATIC change we go through. Its wonderful to get to the end, but its kind of anti-climactic in a way. All through my weight loss journey I got addicted to the "thrill" of watching the scale go down, the rush you feel when your clothes are way too big and you need a new size, the glory of all the compliments you recieve along the way. Then it all ends. Sure you reached your goal, but those rushes and thrills stop. I have to admit that even though I am happy to have reached my goal, its been weird in a way. I haven't seen the scale move in months, haven't had to buy new clothes in months, etc. I've recently moved and all the new friends I am making don't know I was ever overweight so I don't get compliments anymore on how much weight I've lost. So I think that can be a strange transistion for some of us.
I know the phase 3 folder was not busy - but I still really wish there were other phase 3ers here to talk about BOTH struggles and successes of maintenance.
Phase 2 lasts until you reach your goal weight. There is no Phase 3 folder, because it is just using the eating habits you have already learned and continuing to eat healthy foods and only eat the foods listed as things to avoid in Phase 2 in moderation. So basically in Phase 3 you can eat some of the foods to avoid, as long as you do it in moderation and it doesn't make you gain weight back. So in Phase 3 for instance, you could maybe eat a little pineapple, which is a phase 2 food to avoid, and it would be fine. I'm sure one of the CLs will have a much better explaination. ;)
Jen
We used to have a Phaes 3 folder, I believe it was called "South Beach for Life" - or something like that. Unfortunately it wasn't a very busy folder. I think that once most people reach that stage, they don't feel as much need to come to a message board as regularly. They don't have as many questions and don't need as much support as people starting out. Its too bad though, I am in phase 3 and often wish I had more phase 3-ers here to chat with about the unique challenges of maintaining because takes a totally attitude than the weight loss phase.
spring06sig2
*~*Lost 10
spring06sig2
July will mark this board's 3rd birthday.
But why would it be ONLY with the successes? Being in phase 3 isn't always a constant success - sometimes its a struggle too. Many people go too far and allow themselves too much thinking they are "done". I haven't had that problem, but for me this is my problem on phase 3 that I posted about in another post:
I've lost 65lbs in the last year. So I understand the DRAMATIC change we go through. Its wonderful to get to the end, but its kind of anti-climactic in a way. All through my weight loss journey I got addicted to the "thrill" of watching the scale go down, the rush you feel when your clothes are way too big and you need a new size, the glory of all the compliments you recieve along the way. Then it all ends. Sure you reached your goal, but those rushes and thrills stop. I have to admit that even though I am happy to have reached my goal, its been weird in a way. I haven't seen the scale move in months, haven't had to buy new clothes in months, etc. I've recently moved and all the new friends I am making don't know I was ever overweight so I don't get compliments anymore on how much weight I've lost. So I think that can be a strange transistion for some of us.
I know the phase 3 folder was not busy - but I still really wish there were other phase 3ers here to talk about BOTH struggles and successes of maintenance.
spring06sig2
MichaelAnn, I was thinking about that, too.