South Beach

[Century Guy]

So, anyone here doing the South Beach "Diet"? My wife and I started it about a week and a half ago, and can't believe the difference already.

My goal is to lose about 35 lbs...and I've already lost about 8 lbs.

My story: I'm terribly addicted to fast food/snacks/sweets. TERRIBLY. I KNOW it's bad for me, and that I have (up until now) had very little self control. :(

My wife just had a blood test a couple of weeks ago, and discovered her cholesterol was way too high. (And oddly enough, she eats much better than I do.) We talked things over, and agreed to do the South Beach Diet together. Her for her cholesteroal primarily, me for my weight primarily (though I know my cholesterol is probably pretty bad also.)

There are 3 phases to the diet. The first phase lasts for two weeks (and we're almost done with this part)...and consists mainly of lean protein and vegetables. The 2nd phase adds in some whole grains and limited fruit...and the third phase is a more liberal version of Phase 2.

It's a very well balanced diet...and in reality, is just "smart eating." I can't believe the difference in how I feel already, and what I've dropped already.

Experiences anyone? Thoughts?

[gwenshack]

I've done a lot of diets over the years, but I've never tried South Beach. I think that anything that is well balanced is the best way to go. And you can tell if you're on the right track by the way you feel. When I did Atkins (no carbs) back in the day - I used to try to find the easiest out - I lost weight but I felt horrible all the time. When I went about it the right way there was a marked difference in how I felt and a major increase in my energy.

Good luck with it - keep us posted on your progress. And congrats on the weight you've already lost! :)

[Century Guy]

I know what you're saying about Atkins. I had the same experience.

With South Beach, I'm eating FAR more vegetables than I ever did before, and I'm actually starting to develop a taste for most of them. ;) It's amazing, after having cut out sugar entirely, that even a bite of CARROT tastes "sweet." Your taste buds, and blood chemistry get into line the way they're supposed to when you cut out the bad carbs/white sugar/enriched flour etc.

Two days after I started South Beach, my body literally "crashed." I had zero energy that day, and I fell asleep by 7:30pm. My body was so stinkin' addicted to bad carbs and sugars, that when my blood/body finally realized it wasn't getting any...it literally "reset" itself. It's been incredible to experience this change.

I'll be having my blood checked in about 4-5 weeks, and I'll be curious to see how my cholesterol levels look.

Will definitely keep you posted.

[TheWeddingPlanner]

The bad thing about it is that it is not really a diet at all. It is a lifestyle change. You have to keep it for the rest of your life in order to actually seen any results. It's not something that you do for a few months and then quit.

[Century Guy]

1) A healthy lifestyle change is "a bad thing?" With the way we Americans eat normally? I think not. This is a very good thing.

2) I saw results within the first week.

3) I never said I'd be quitting it after a few months.

:)

[FFC]

So over a month into it, how are you feeling? What's your progress? :)

[Century Guy]

I must confess that my wife and I got away from it due to:

1) Camping, and eating camp food.
2) We bought a new house, and have moved...and that was unexpected. Unfortunately, because of the rush to pack, move, unpack, and clean up the old place to get it on the market, we have not been concentrating on planning our meals properly, and so we have not been strict at all. I put a couple of lbs. back on due to this.

In the first two weeks, I had lost 9 lbs. Felt GREAT after the initial "crash" my body experienced from not eating bad carbs/sugar.

Today started back on it...so I'll be getting back on board and moving forward. Life is getting a bit back to normal now.

Thanks for checking in!

[FFC]

I must confess that my wife and I got away from it due to:

1) Camping, and eating camp food.
2) We bought a new house, and have moved...and that was unexpected. Unfortunately, because of the rush to pack, move, unpack, and clean up the old place to get it on the market, we have not been concentrating on planning our meals properly, and so we have not been strict at all. I put a couple of lbs. back on due to this.

In the first two weeks, I had lost 9 lbs. Felt GREAT after the initial "crash" my body experienced from not eating bad carbs/sugar.

Today started back on it...so I'll be getting back on board and moving forward. Life is getting a bit back to normal now.

Thanks for checking in!

Congrats on the new house!!!!!!! That's great!

Hey, 9 lbs is a lot of weight. I gotta get my hubby to go into something like that. I think we're going to start WW. Not sure yet.

Keep us updated!!!!