How many times do you cheer for a diet? Phase 2 South Beach Diet here we come! Now that you’ve finished Phase 1, your body is prepared for the rest of the diet.
The longest of the two phases is Phase 2. Phase 2 will last until you have reached the goal of your diet plan. How long will this last? The variables from one person to the next are so great that there’s no definitive answer to that question.
To reach your goal as soon as possible, it’s imperative to stick to the diet. If you don’t follow the instructions, you’ll add weeks onto the length.
Your body is a contributing factor as to the success of Phase 2. The relationship between your body and the diet; is not that a key to success? Are you exercising? Are you nourishing your body with ample amounts of water?
With Phase 1 you jump-started your diet. You probably lost somewhere between 8 and 13 pounds. During Phase 1, you omitted, or at least cut back on the consumption of carbs and sweets. Healthy foods likely have become a constant in your diet. Bad food often is eliminated from one’s diet before Phase 2 is begun.
Phase 2 South Beach Diet is more individualized. You will be adding a few ingredients back into the diet. Don’t let the fact that Phase 2 is less restrictive than Phase 1 lure you into wrong decisions, listening to what your body tells you remains crucial.
As you add in carbs, watch how you feel. Do you crave sugar or more carbs? Does your body feel weak because its energy has been depleted? This is exactly what we are saying about listening to your body; meaning such signs should direct you to eat other foods.
The whole plan with Phase 2 is to introduce carbs back in, finding what works for your body. Everyone is different, accenting the fact that no diet plan will meet universal approval.
Most diets fail for that very reason.
The potential benefits from carbs depend both on the carb source and the body receiving them! Determining how carbs impact your body is a cornerstone to why Phase 2 is a longer process than Phase 1.
You need carbs, but factors as to how they best can be used include:
- Not crave bad foods.
- Help you lose weight.
- Help you maintain an increased energy level throughout the day.
How do you find the exact right amount of carbs to take to accomplish these? You will need to increase the carb level gradually until you get a craving. Now you know you’ve gone too far. Back off from that point a little and you have your ideal level.
Slowly, over the course of weeks, carbs will be added once more to your diet. The first week, you might add in a fruit after lunch each day, or even a high fiber cereal for breakfast. Your carb consumption will double on the second week, possibly one carb after lunch and a second carb after dinner. Be careful during the third week and pay attention to your body’s response to you adding a third carb.
Planning to lose 1-2 pounds a week in a diet isn’t a short term sprint, but a marathon. By comparing how long it took you to gain this weight with how long it took to lose it employing this diet, you will have plenty of incentive to keep it off.