The South Beach Diet

Everyone has their problem area, and for me its my stomach. I have a hourglass shape, a small waist with a huge gut! No fat on the sides or back just the front!  AHHHHHH Im so tired of it. I have never did crunches consistenly because Ive been told I need to lose body fat! Has anyone else tried the South Beach Diet whose problem area is their stomach, and saw the belly fat go first?

p.s. im also jogging 3 miles at least 3 times a week

I have tried to incorporate a few of the South Beach Diet meals into my meal planner and I have to say I haven't seen any results yet. Maybe someone out there can help us both out. 

I love the idea of the SB diet. It's like a "healthy" Atkins. So I have incorporated many of their whole grain ideas into my normal every day diet. I use the glycemic index as a good idea of what I should and should not eat but it's not a get skinny quick type of diet in my opinion.

I have a gut so can relate ... I am currently struggling with it as it doesn't want to get flat or even remotely close.

For belly fat (or the feeling of belly fat) Atkins did wonders for me, however, with Atkins I learned nothing about lifestyle maintenance and was grossed out by the whole thing so gained everything back plus some.

Truly, the way I have lost two inches since Jan 1st of this year is by losing weight all over and WORKING OUT cardio, aerobic, running. And now I have started to do the plank and that is working nicely.

Thanks nycgirl

I'm going to research the difference between south beach and atkins. i dont like any meat except chicken and seafood. i will continue to do cardio and work hard on the ab area. *I just remembered*, 6 weeks after i had my baby i did pilates! my stomach was flatter than it is now! I will look into taking pilates again.

angie46 pilates maybe a soulution!

My doctor recommended s.beach. He said he went to a conferance and the american dibetic assoc. is recommending s. beach. I got the book but haven finished it. the 1st week you do this restricted diet , the next week you add to it. It is better then atkins.

It's definitely better than Atkins b/c the concepts are things you can incorporate into your healthy lifestyle and really make a change in the way you eat and approach food. No more refined or enriched rices and grains for me ... whole grains baby!

Hi -- this is my first posting:  I've been doing the South Beach diet for several weeks (about on week 5-6) at the recommendation of my doctor.  It is a healthy low-carb diet which is what I need.  I have more energy since I've been on it.  The first 2 wks are the hardest where you cut out most carbs.  It states that you will lose between 8-13 lbs, but I've only lost 6, but I have kept it off.  I am also doing aerobic exercise and have now started walking.  I seem to be stagnant in my weight loss.  But overall, I have lost 22 lbs in the last year and that is exciting.  10 more to go.

I also like the healthy way the SB looks at foods.  You get a lot of veggies and whole wheat products and cut out most of your sugar intake, which has really helped.

As far as Atkins diet goes, I did that about 7-8 years ago and it is so unhealthy; all the meat, and hardly no veggies -- remember Mr. Atkins died at like age 48!

I'm sorry -- I didn't discuss my stomach area.  This is my biggest problem area as well (along with a "flat" butt), but if I stick to the diet (I vary between phase 1 & 2) as they have it written, I do notice more loss in the stomach area.

Good luck!

I want to correct an error.  Hoperuth said Atkins died at 48.  No...he was in his 70s, I believe.  Not real old, but not as young as 40s either.  I tried SB but it seemed too rambling and non specific (the book, I mean).  I seem to be doing better with writing everything down on CC and pushing fruits and vegies.  I am generally getting A's and A-'s on nutrition rating.  But I know some people who have been successful with SB. 

Sorry about the error. I was just trying to make a point.  The Atkins was a very unhealthy diet and I gained all my weight back when I quit using the diet. 

I've also read reviews about the SB diet book being "rambling."  I agree, that is why I skipped all the stuff that I didn't think was necessary and went straight to the heart of the diet.  It is a definite life change in how you eat and not really a "diet."  I guess that is why I like it so much.

Great on your As in the nutrition rating -- me too! Have a great weekend!