You're definitely not pathetic--keep doing what you're doing and eventually the numbers WILL go down, but more importantly you'll notice it in your clothes, and that will really be what tells you your progress. Remember that if you're working your butt off, then you're developing muscle which weighs more than fat, so sometimes the scale is decpetive. Also, are you weighing yourself at the same time each week? I always weigh Sunday am, because I am always lighter in the morning, but if I were to weigh Sunday night one week, it would look like I had gained even though I hadn't. As far as phase 2 goes, there are good carbs that you need to have, but some people stay in Phase 1 a couple of weeks longer than the recommended 2 weeks, but you do need to move at some point. You can do this slowly by adding one carb a week back in (ie. Wasa cracker w/peanut butter for snack/breakfast) and see how your body responds. If you do okay try another one. There's nothing wrong with testing the pool before jumping in the water. But don't give up--your numbers will go down eventually. Keep up the good work!