Starting SB on Wednesday and have a few questions...

[getridofbelly]

I am a WW lifetime member but I'm currently stuck in a funk and want to mix things up a bit. I still have about 5-7 lbs that I would like to lose and hope this might help with that as well.

So my questions are:

1. We don't eat pork products - can I exchange Turkey bacon for the Canadian bacon?

2. Can I drink caffeinated coffee?

3. I can't stand sugar substitutes - how do the desserts taste if I don't use any?

4. Can I substitute eggwhites for the eggsubstitute?

5. I work out a lot - can I eat more on the days (4-5/week) when I work out?

6. How much could I lose during the 2 weeks even though I don't have that much to lose? I'll be happy with anything .

Thank you!
Debbie

[nancy]

Hi, Debbie!

Have you read the Stickies at the top of the forums?
http://www.sbdbb.com/showthread.php?t=162
This one, for example, lets you know which foods you can enjoy.

1. Yes. You can have 2 slices of turkey bacon per day. It is higher in saturated fat, so it's limited.
2. 2 servings of caffeine a day (8 ounces each) are fine. More is not recommeded. As with everything, note if it results in any craving for you.
3. They don't taste as sweet. If you wanted, perhaps you could make alterations that are still SBD-friendly. Or you could substitute something else instead of that dessert. Have you tried all the varieties of sugar substitute?
4. Yes. Either is fine.
5. The amount recommended to eat doesn't necessarily change when you work out. It's advised for you to eat when you're hungry, every 3 hours on Phase 1, eat until satisfied but not stuffed, and to be sure to eat the required foods. If you want to eat more, you can eat more if it works for you. If you need to add things around your work outs that's up to you too. There aren't many hard & fast rules.
6. As you know, everyone is different with the way they lose weight. You've probably already been eating healthy with WW. If the weight loss is cosmetic and not medically needed, of course you won't lose as fast. Even if you don't lose anything in Phase 1, you can lose in Phase 2.

Good luck, Debbie. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you.

[luv2bike]

Oops, sorry. I answered in the other post. You know I wondered why there was an x in the title. D'oh! I should've paid closer attention.

[getridofbelly]

That is so funny that you answered both my posts :joy:

Thank you for your answers. You basically said everything that I was hoping for . My biggest worry was that I couldn't drink my coffee in the morning and decaf just doesn't cut it for me.

I hope I will be able to get to the food store tomorrow and then I'll start on Wednesday. I have already cut almost all processed foods out of my eating and have lately also worked on cutting all sweets. Used to eat something called "Vita muffins" on a daily basis and even though they are very low in points, they still make you crave more sweets. Decided a few weeks ago that they had to go.

I am mainly worried that my work-outs will suffer from the lower carbs but I will just see how it goes.

Thanks again and I'll check in later.

-Debbie

[luv2bike]

Debbie, I was reading on the SBD web site and I came across a post there that said if you only have a few pounds to lose that you can skip phase one and do phase two if you want to. So, you can eat the "good carbs" for your work outs if you want to. Phase one is mostly to stabilize blood sugars and get rid of cravings.

So, I'll leave it up to you on which phase you want to start in. Don't let your work outs suffer because you might find yourself kind of tired for the first few days of phase one.

[getridofbelly]

I thought that Luv was spacing and had answered both my questions on the different forums without realizing until later and I just saw that it was actually me that was spacing :speechless: .

Thank you Nancy for your answers! I don't know how I thought that was Luv that had written that but oops....

Luv - thank you for that piece of info. That probably would make sense to go straight to phase 2. I don't really have any cravings and my blood sugar feel pretty good and stabile. On WW, I'm following a plan called the Core plan and it's seems very similar to SB. I am counting my pts on Core even though you don't have to because I tend to overeat. I was thinking that I should do Phase 1 to get rid of the last few lbs and then maintain from there. I have maintained now for one year and while I'm very happy to have been the same weight, I would still like to lose the last few.

I'm not sure if the stores are open today and DH is working so I'm by myself with three little kiddos so we'll see if I'll make it to the store.

Have a great 4th!!

[Lynne]

Welcome, getrid..glad you found us.
What exercise are you doing. I have added weight lifting to my cardio and its really helping work on spot issues.

[Mindy moves on!]

Originally Posted by getridofbelly

I was thinking that I should do Phase 1 to get rid of the last few lbs and then maintain from there. I have maintained now for one year and while I'm very happy to have been the same weight, I would still like to lose the last few.

Hi!! I agree with Luv on starting in Phase 2. The weight people lose in Phase 1 is primarily water weight that is released through detoxing off bad for you sugars and carbs. If you are already eating pretty darn healthy (which is what I suspect), then you may get frustrated with little to no results on Phase 1.

But be sure to read the stickies on the Phase 2 forum as to how to do Phase 2. :Read: And make sure you get the best types of grains possible and stick with lower glycemic fruits.

Since you tend to overeat, eating the snacks between meals is probably the best way to go for you. Eating a little bit every three hours really keeps your hunger and blood sugar in check. I never overeat on this diet because I don't let my body go too, too long without nourishment. And this way, I find the smaller-ish serving sizes work well for me. I have a healthy appetite so if I am satisfied eating smaller portions throughout the day, you will be too.

The other beauty about this plan is that you don't have to count points here. But you do need to stick to the correct portion sizes. If you stay within the correct portion sizes and follow the suggested food templates for your meals, that's all you have to do. The portion amounts and what to include for meals is real easy to get used to and once you do get it down, you are pretty much on autopilot, feeling like you are not even dieting, yet losing weight.

Most importantly - be patient with yourself. No matter what the diet plan, those last 5-7 pounds come off slowly! But SB will work for you if you make the commitment. You are almost doing it now, so I'm pretty sure you'll find the conversion to be easy-peasy!!!

[getridofbelly]

Lynne - I run 4 miles a few times a week and also do spinning (all together 4-5 times/week). I lift weight everytime I work out but only for about 15 minutes or so. I actually didn't exercise when I lost the weight. Felt that I was too busy with my kids but made myself a New Year resolution to start working out and now I love it!

Mindy - I'm gonna start Phase 2. If water weight is all I would lose then it isn't worth it for me to do phase 1. Besides, I think I need some extra carbs when I work out.

I'll let you know how it goes.

-Debbie

[Mindy moves on!]

Originally Posted by getridofbelly

Lynne - I run 4 miles a few times a week and also do spinning (all together 4-5 times/week). I lift weight everytime I work out but only for about 15 minutes or so.
-Debbie

Debbie! I do spinning too. I love it sooo much. I have a lot of injuries now that I am older, including herniated disks in my neck and lower back and a lot of exercises like running are now off limits to me. I used to work out so hard so I was devistated wondering how am I going to get good cardio now? And spinning is the ticket for me! No pain when I do it. WOO HOO!!!!!!!!

Even when I had a horrible cold and other maladies, I always seem to drag myself to my spin classes to sweat it out!!!

I lift light weights too but have to be real careful with the injuries!!

Let us know how it goes for you on Phase 2. When I was on Phase 1, I had switched over from Atkins and didn't lose on Phase 1 but on Phase 2 I've been losing slow and steady and LOVING what I am eating.