Phase 1 is the difficult part. I can't remember how long it lasted.

As you work into Phases 2 and 3, I think you'll discover it's how we should all eat anyway.

My schedule is a typical M-F workweek with Sat and Sun off. I found the afterwork non-high intensity rides under an hour were just fine during Phase 1, but to cope with long rides on the weekends I had to "carbo load" starting with Friday lunch and then go back to strict Phase 1 with Sunday lunch. My glycogen stores couldn't cope with the super strict part of Phase 1 for anything of extended duration. As long as I followed this regimen, I was OK. I did NOT try to change my exercise level or train with any added intensity during Phase 1.

Unfortunately, I don't know how that regimen would affect your insulin. Basically, South Beach focuses on lean protein and complex carbos, getting rid of processed foods and simple sugars.