I started this process on January 18th -- learning about and trying to implement this new way of eating during a series of out of town excursions. In spite of this I lost 7 pounds on that phase. (Sure wish I'd known about -- and read Dr. Mike's chapter on vacations before). Cycle 2 wasn't as successful for me. I found reintroducing carbs really difficult for me because once I start eating sweet or salty carbs, it's REALLY hard for me to quit. Case in point is when I made a double batch of Dr. Mike's cookies and then ate them all using the rationalization that I wasn't really cheating because they were made with healthy ingredients. Oh the games we play. I ended this cycle yesterday after another 4 day out of town experience. But, interestingly, enough of this plan was internalized that I naturally just made good choices for myself. I avoided dressings, drank my water and tea, declined breads but did indulge in beer and wine and 3 desserts and was able to maintain the .4 weight loss I had on this cycle. Wow! Think if I'd had even more self control. So, the dilemma was rather to move onto Cycle 3 after less than a 1/2 pound loss on Cycle 2 and I decided that because of my "cheating" I kind of combined Cycle 2 with Cycle 3 at the end. So, the big decision this morning (drumroll) was to return to Cycle 1. And the nutty thing is, I'm actually excited about it because I know  this works! My thoughts are, since I'm breaking the rules (Youngest child, folks. Breaking rules has been a way of life!), are that if -- or when -- I plateau on Cycle 1 (or maybe reach my weight goal!), I will move onto Cycle 2 for perhaps an abbreviated version -- we'll see. I don't think there's anything as magical about the 17 days as the fact that we need to keep confusing our body to keep the weight coming off. I don't think we need to follow this religiously, since there are differences between the ways that all of our bodies respond to the foods we eat. What Dr. Mike as armed us with is wisdom. We can take the tools he's given us and inately know how to do this, now. I love the choices; it's not one size fits all. I'm more motivated than at any point during this diet because now I know it works and I know that I can eat real foods while out to dinner with friends and foods I like -- and want -- at home because now I know my triggers and can adapt my behaviors as a result. So, thank you to all of you who have offered me word of wisdom ( reintroduce carbs you DON'T like then you'll be less apt to binge) and encouragement. We are all strangers yet there for each other. What an awesome statement that is -- especially in this world of unrest. We've come together -- a group of wounded ragamuffins with vague hope that this time would be different -- and we choose to remain a member of the group, stronger and more self confident in our own abilities. One blogger said that something special is happening here. I couldnt agree more!