Addendum... It is "safe" to continue with phase one if you have a lot of weight to lose. In the book I read, and I'm told there have been some updates, it wasn't actually encouraged. Review by dietitians reflect the sentiment. Phase one serves as a purging stage, and is safe for limited amounts of time. If memory serves, I believe it specifically says no longer than a month, as if anyone would want to do it that long.