Starting South Beach Diet from Monday

Hey all -

I'm starting the South Beach Diet on Monday and keeping my fabulous Rock & Republic jeans that don't fit me on a hanger as the incentive!  The other incentive is a brand new red bikini....

Anyone interested in doing this together? 

Current: 140 lbs.

Goal Weight: 122 lbs.

Goal Date: July 1st (Canada Day!!)

Hey girl,

I am in Kitchener btw...but I am just gonna say that I tried this diet before...I didn't last more than 2 days.  The lack of carbs in phase 1 made me SO sick that I felt nausious all the time.  I looked it up and foudn that other people had felt this way too, but not everyone.  I would just be careful with this...it is a fad diet after all.

I'm starting today, but just for the next two weeks, b/c I have to go to San Diego and see family.  It doesn't really work for me long term, but I find that it kick starts my diet when I'm stagnating.  I've been in a plateau for several months and am freaking out.  I still intend on counting my calories with it and not eating all of the cheeses and things.  I don't eat simple carbs anyway, because I feel they are  a waste of calories.  I'm just cutting out breads and stuff for the next couple weeks. Good luck!  It doesn't work for me forever, but it's great for a kickstart!

*Edited to take my opinion of SB out of post.

I wouldn't waste time and money trying to follow these diets. Focus on balanced portions of good carbs/lean meats/good fats.

Aim for 30% protein, 30% fat and 40% carbs. The food log on here is excellent for tracking this. I look for foods whose fat calories are 25% or less of total calories. Also, watch your sodium intake. Prepackaged usually = tons of sodium! Lasly, drink plenty of water.

i dont believe she asked for any critizism or opinions on the SBD...some people can and do stay on that particular way of eating (or any other of the "fad" diets) for a long period of time, drop the weight and keep it off...it depends on the person and their tastes... and the long term SB theory is basically the balance of good carbs, good fats, fruits, veggies and lean meat..etc etc...the first two weeks are just really restrictive and you cant really "cheat" at all because itll screw you up... and you have to add back the carbs slowly because thatll screw you up too...eventually you have a balanced diet...haha

anyways...yes you may feel sick at first while your body adjusts to NO sugar whatsoever..."SB flu"...it blows...a lot...I didnt like the diet (tried 4 times...no success past 3 months or so) but i love my bread and potatoes...so no go there...but if it works for you I say do it!! but like i said, you may not feel so great the first week, but trust me, it does pass...

good luck!!

I saw my Dr. on monday, for a physical, and she told me to start the south beach diet. I have gained 10 pds, in the past two months. :(

I don't believe anyone was being negative or critical toward the diet, just offering their opinions.

It's good to see it has "worked" for the last two posters though.

Good luck in whatever you decide to try, torontogirl.

I did the South Beach Diet a few years ago and lost a ton of weight (around 60 pounds) and have really kept it off for the most part. I gained about half of what I lost back over 2 and a half years, but that was due to not eating well at all, not reintroducing carbs. My fiancé couldn't do the first 2 weeks though, it just made her sick, and she loves her sweets to much for low carb. I did loose all the weight I gained back again now with a more balanced diet approach, but SB definitely gets an endorsement from me.

My only advice is to stick with it. It really does get easier after the first 2 weeks, and I really didn't find it all that restricting. Also, don't start working out until you finish the 2 week induction. Your body is going through enough. Good walks are fine, but pushing yourself is a recipe for failure in my opinion. Best of luck to you, and if you have any questions about it please let me know. As someone who has been successful at it in the past I am happy to help.

I think that South Beach is one of the best diet plans out there.  While there is some limiting of carbs, it isn't like Atkins that tells you not to have any.  South Beach promotes eating veggies and in the second phase promotes high fiber, whole grain carbs.  It also promotes lean and healthy options when it comes to meat and veggies.  My parents did very well on South Beach.  Some the recipes are incredible!

I am personally stubborn enough to not like anyone telling me what to do, so I go with a general healthy balance in foods (like the second phase of South Beach)

torontogirl, I must respectfully decline the challenge (tried it, definitely wasn't for me) but I do wish you luck with your challenge.  I hope SB will work for you, and that you'll make your goal weight on your goal day!

Thank you so much for all the support and letting me know whether this worked for you or not.  Generally, we tend to hear only the success stories so this provides a more well rounded picture and is helpful.

While I haven't done the full diet before, I did the first two weeks with a co-worker basically for moral support but also to see whether this works for me.  First time around (in Phase 1) didn't lose any weight but my appetite did decrease dramatically so it boded well for the future of the diet!  I was fine past day 2.  I already eat quite healthy (hardly any white or refined carbs, loads of fresh veggies and lean meats) so hopefully, I will be able to do this! 

Thanks to ericc!  I will definitely come to you if I have any questions.  My boss is a huge fan as well as an aunt of mine so I'm hoping I'll be living life on the Beach pretty soon as well!

cheers!

If you google south beach diet forum theres a free forum that has all sorts of goodies :D

I will do it with you. Actually, my doctor told me to today to start it because he diagnosed me with reactive hypoglycemia. I am really excited because I want to get rid of the heart palpitations and hand tremors and he said eating menus like the south beach diet . Lets do for it!

hey! i've been doing this on and off for about 3 weeks. it was starting to work but i am soooo lousy at sticking to diets. i definatley need someone to do this with, so i am so in!

rinzy2000, rmhart and jessthemess (your name cracked me up!) Hurrah!  Day One - we are on our way!

So yesterday, I went grocery shopping and the first thing I noticed was boy, is this diet expensive!  $60 and not even a week's worth of groceries...!

I had 2 veggie quiche  things (in the SB book) for breakfast with a cup of V8 juice, a partskim mozarella stick for a snack and a modest greek salad with low fat feta and chicken for lunch with a Coke Zero.  I'm also drinking a cup of 1% milk.  I like my liquids :)  For dinner, I thought I'd have a turkey burger minus the bun with some salsa and a salad.  So far so good.  I'm saving my caffeine intake (1 tea) for 4 pm :)  No headaches, no cravings.

Rinzy2000 and I had talked about doing Tuesday weigh-ins (Mondays are depressing enough to begin with) so let's check in tomorrow.  Let me know how your first day is going!  Cheers.

sounds good!  Doc put me on a new med that totally leaves me with no appetite.  (a side effect I can totally live with.) I'm doing okay w/ SB though.  Looking forward to tomorrow!! :)

so, torontogirl, how's it going thus far?  Any luck?

Toronto, I decided yesterday to combine SB and CC under my dr's provisions.  His concern is not extending past two week Phase 1 period.  He really did express that I absolutely have to reintroduce healthy carbs after then.

Day one is good for me too. Turkey and broccoli for breakfast, string cheese for snack, chicken breast and celery for lunch, and string cheese and cauliflower for afternoon snack. I think I am having pork loin and broccoli and salad for dinner and sf gelatin for dessert. Already used up my caffeine allowance- had to drink coffee as soon as I wake up. Good luck to everyone :)

Day one done.  Did good.  No carbs but caffeine allowance too strict. Have to have my coffee in the morning and diet coke at night, but other than that, I'm off to a good start.  Oh, how dehydrated do you feel.  Wow!  Lots of water.

So good to see so many posts....

Feeling great on Day 2! Started a day by fitting into a skirt that was a little snug on my hips when I first bought it so that felt good.  Looking forward to more of the same :)

Weigh in weight = 140 lbs

Think I'll save my tea for later in the day, as usual.  Had a veggie omlette for breakfast with a mozarella stick and a small glass of V8.  I'm actually a little hungry even now so I had a few almonds.  Might snack again around 10:30 if this continues.... After all, the good doctor Agaston does say that we should eat till we feel full!  Hurrah!  Plan to drink water first to make sure it's hunger and not thirst that I am feeling.

Have a nice chicken salad and some black bean salsa that I whipped up last night.  Might have a Coke Zero with that (LOVE it! So much better than Diet Coke) My work fridge is full of SB approved snacks so I should be great!  One thing that I was wondering was is there any sugar in Tazo Passion tea... it's a hibiscus tea so logically, there shouldn't be any, right?  Any ideas?

Check in, keep me posted!  cheers :)