WELCOME! South Beach Diet Thread -- Good Carbs, Good Fats

  WELCOME BEACHERS  
      We are glad your here!
    Lose weight - Get healthy

  CLICK BELOW LINKS FOR HELPFUL SB INFO
      THURSDAY is Voluntary Weigh-ins 
          Original 2007 SB Thread LINK

Cardiologist Dr. Agaston's diet for healthier hearts resulted in weightloss. 
Healthy carbs ~ Healthy fats ~ Lean meats ~ Low-fat dairy. 
Your body deserves it! 
********************************************* ******

PHASE 1 --  2 Week Intro
(Bootcamp - hang in there! Just 2weeks :D)  
   LINK 1  Foods To Enjoy
   LINK 2  Foods To Avoid
   LINK 3  Model Menu
   LINK 4  Tips

PHASE 2 --  Weightloss    
   LINK 5  Foods To Reintroduce
   LINK 6  Foods To Eat Rarely
   LINK 7  Model Menu
   LINK 8  How To Reintroduce Carbs

PHASE 3 --  Maintance   
   LINK 9  A Lifestyle Change 

HEALTHY VS UNHEALTHY 
   LINK 10 FATS
  LINK 11 CARBS
  LINK 12  FIBER

DINING OUT & ONLINE RECIPE COLLECTIONS
  LINK 56  DINING OUT & RECIPES

Much of this data obtained from the southbeachdietbulletinboard .

Hi! I'm new "again" on calorie count, but I am hoping this time will stick. I just finished day 5 of South Beach. I am amazingly not hungry, but I am still craving the good stuff. I was so good today---tons of sweets in my office, and even at home, and I walked right by.

I tried South Beach about 4 years ago when I thought I had something to lose. I actually stayed on it for 4 weeks and I lost ZERO! I have gained about 25 pounds since then, and have been eating very well- I LOVE cake, cookies, and chocolate. So I am hoping I can kick about 13 pounds in the next few months.So far, I "think" I have lost something-I will see on Monday when I weigh myself at the one week mark.

Anyway-just wanted to say hi, and hoopefully get some advice from time to time about staying on the wagon....sooo hard!

LB

Hi Elbie! Excellent work at your job - you sound like your mindset is strong.  Im betting you will drop those 13 lbs and we'll be here to support you along the way.  Good luck for Monday!  We weighin on Thursdays if you want to update with us.

Im on a weird fall to sleep dinnertime, wake around now but boy does being up while the worlds asleep make me feel like I can get so much more done (eventhough theres no logic to it).  It just feels Ive all these hours before the it gets light and everyone wakes, like free time to put things in order.  Had a nice drop back to the 225s today.  

Realizing there are many clothes I grew into and then out of (big now) without even wearing them.  Working from home, not much reason to 'dress' and more focus on staying warm, in multi layers for my freezing house.

Welcome back Elbie!

Ice - Sorry to hear you cant get any classes.  I registered last month, my school goes by how many credits you have and sets dates to register, so I got the classes I needed.  Does your school have a waitlist?  Maybe you can get on that or even once school starts alot of people drop classes.  I hope you get something you need.

Inlove - Nursing is a great field to get into, but long hours and hard work, but has many options. 

I am doubling majoring in Psychology and Nursing.  Sounds odd but makes sense, because I originally wanted to get my PHD in Psychology but then I decided to double major and get my Masters in Psychology and Master of Nurse Practioner with a specialty of Mental Health, which would alow me to not just see patients to counsel them but also would allow me to prescribe them medication which a Psychologist can not do and I feel your therapist sees you longer and knows you better then a Psychiatrist.  So I am doing my Undergrad now and will move on to Masters.  It will be along road but well worth it in the end.  Good luck Inlove with Nursing if you pursue it!

I am so tired and my calfs are sooooo sore.  I went Thursday to get my books for next term and it took an hour from start to finish and I was surprised that I stood 45 minutes of that hours with sitting in little spurts for the other time.  That is a BIG improvement for me and made me realize I could push my body alot further then I had originally thought and is nice that only my calfs are sore means my body is adjusting to all the moving I am doing and hopefully will show on the scale.  House is done and we are finishing decorating the tree and then this weekend will go see christmas lights and just enjoy the holiday and watch christmas movies.

Hope you all are having a great weekend and Happy Holidays!

Welcome Elbie- SB is a great way to lose those extra pounds. A little tip- when u're craving chocolate, etc, try having a sugarfree fudgesicle.

Ozma- congrats on your weight loss. Good luck on finding a good self defense class.

Velvet- my school has set dates to register as well. Unfortunately, those in the honors program and athletes get priority so most of the seats are taken by the time registration opens for everyone. I work there as well, so I have to fill out forms and go through a lot of red tape before I can register for classes and that's really what the problem is. Even if a spot opens up, I have to call my academic advisor to sign my registration form & send it to the registrar's so they can put me in the class; by then the spot's taken. I'll keep trying tho, hopefully something will work out. I have to take classes next semester, otherwise it will set me back a year, and I can't wait til 2011 to get into dental school cuz I'm not getting any younger!

Sun- I've tried the pregrilled stuff, but after a while I get tired of convenience foods. I have meat/protein now, just a matter of making the sides when we run out in the middle of the week. I usually make potato salad and lots of carby stuff for my husband, it's just that sometimes I get lazy and eat that stuff instead making my SB friendly sides.

Everyone at work is commenting on my weight loss, apparently I'm inspiring a few pple to consider SB. My mother loves my new size, although  she's always very supportive no matter what size I am.

I'm still at 134, I guess my scale likes that number. I think I'll just try to maintain it until the end of the holiday season, cuz it's gonna be tough with all the goodies around. Once I get back from my brother's I'm heading straight to the gym. I'm thinking of going back to phase 1 sometime in the new year, cuz I think I'm gonna need it. I'm off to go do some last minute shopping and pack for my trip...

Have a great weekend everyone. (Sorry for the long post)

Ice - Wow that is an awful process you have to go through to register for classes.  I hope you can get into a class.  I know what you mean about not getting any younger, I started college late in life and I get the same way I dont want any set backs!

Sun - I know what you mean about feeling like you have more time to get things done, I am the same way when I get on a pattern of sleeping where I am up later than most.  It is only bad when it is on a class day because then I am dead tired for class.

Hey folks, thanks for the welcome!

Some experience questions? Is it ok that my portions are usually bigger than the suggested South Beach portions? I have been finding that the recipes that say they are for 4 servings, really seem to be like 2.5 for me . I am totally following the suggestions on what to eat and what not to eat, I just seem to be needing a lot of it!

Also, have you all ever tried the sugar free york peppermint patties, or sugar free reese's cups? Is it ok if I am tricking my brain into thinking it is the real thing, or am I setting myself up for disaster? I eat one as a treat every day and it totally satisfies my sweet tooth. Each peppermint pattie only has 30 calories and each reese's cup only has 35! SO WORTH IT!!!!

Today we ate out for lunch and dinner. Busy day. Anyway, I went to salad bar place for lunch so it was cool (ever heard of Sweet Tomatoes anywhere else? It is awesome! I live in Florida). Then for dinner we went to a steak place-I probably ate more steak than I was supposed to, but it was divine. And I drooled as my husband ate the yummy bread. But I ate a heaping portion of steamed veggies to make sure I didn't eat the whole steak. I probably had about 1/3 of it. It was huge!

Anyway, hope everyone is having a good weekend!

LB

Hello Everyone!

 Im glad they have a SB forum. I had past success with SB and it really helped. Hope I can join.

 Age:18

 Start Weight:210

  Current Weight:203

   Goal Weight: 124

  Im starting SB again tomorrow. I have a question. about how long does it take for you guys to get used to not eating carbs during Phase 1. I get a major headache the first couple of days. Is there anyway to make me feel better? Tips appreciated! And oh since you dont have carbs when ur really stressed. what were u favorite ways to combat stress?

Is it a bad idea to work out during the first 2 weeks?

elbie - sugar free treats are fine, especially if having it helps control your sweet tooth, that is the most important is it satisfies something that may cause you to overeat.

neneokafor1 - I think working out during the first 2 weeks is fine, the new SB book wants you to exercise I would just say keep an eye on how you feel and all should be fine and exercise really does help speed up your weight loss.

The weekend was nice but busy and now tomorrow it is breakfast with my boyfriends sister, brother and his wife.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Neneo- I agree with Velvet about watching how your body responds. Its not advisable phase 1 to go above moderate exercise. So working out yes but more extreme like heavy body building might be exhausting due to the reduced carbs.  I didnt experience headaches but assuming you u would address them with over the counter pain relievers.  My adjustment time I believe was about 3 days although each day afterwards in phase1 eased me into it more. So glad you have joined us!

Velvet - how those calves doing?  That a great idea with you majors but can imagine the school pressure of such a pursual. Youve got great drive!

Ice - sounds like persistance and some luck are what get those non honoree/athletes in those classes. You sound driven so wishing you some luck too. Must be cool to be noticed with your progress. At least with SB, you can feel good about people trying out to follow your success since its so healthy.

Elbie, the portions should be fine as long as you dont see it interfering with your weight loss. Usually calories run low anyway although you might want to watch on nuts and beans because they are calorie loaded but again, not an issue if they dont affect your weight. Nuts can be a problem for me and Ive gone beyond the servings per day but within calorie and it seems to be a perk for my weightloss.  Those candies sound awesome for calories (and they have chocolate!).

Funny - my firend from FL (where I came from) met me at souper salad and said it was just like Sweet Tomatoes. Souper Salad you can sign up on their website and the send you coupons.   Elbie, are you from FL and if so, where? I lived 10 years in Tampa/St. Pete before 20 years here in Dallas area. I love souper salad - so safe and so much selection.

Im going out today after resting my feet most of yesterday. Monday I was out 10 hrs shopping, trying on clothes most of it. I didnt have much intent on buying. My friend had long said she was buying me an outfit for christmas because she thinks I should venture into new clothes (she has an excellent fashion sense).  After she left, it was just fun to continue trying on clothes since Ive not tried on clothes other than mid November, getting holiday dresses. Prior clothes shopping had always been depressing, just trying to find anything that would fit.  It was a lot of fun and I ended up with a few clearance items. 

Thanks for the good tips! I DO love nuts and beans, and I have been careful with the portion sizes on the nuts, but I put chickpeas on every salad, for that extra protein kick. So I probably eat a lot more calories than I am supposed to with those chickpeas. It's hard for me right now to eat a lot of meat based meals because it is so expensive! (I keep kosher so kosher meat is super expensive in relation to non-kosher). So beans and tuna fish suffice for a lot of meals. Last night I made turkey meatloaf for the hubs and I and he devoured it-barely left me a small piece for lunch today!!

Sun123- I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I have heard of Souper Salad, but I don't think we have it here. You know what else we don't have that I miss? Trader Joe's! Just super expensive Whole Foods, and generic Publix here. I also really miss a good farmer's market.

I did a weigh in yesterday morning and it looks like I'm 3 pounds down! Yay! 10 more to go! Hopefully this week will be another success.

LB

Today, I just started day three of my south beach diet. I did this for only 4 days and messed up by eating a cookie. :p The cookie wasn't worth it at all. But I did manage to lose 4 pounds through the 4 days, my guess it was mostly water weight but to me it doesn't matter as long as the numbers on the scale go down I'm a happy camper. This time I'm planing on doing at least a month on phase one to lose the weight to get down in the 30's so I can be at least 130 something pounds. Then when I reach in the 30's I'm planning on going on to phase 2 and exercise a lot to go with it.

Welcome Sazzie and Neneokafor1. It's gonna be tough doing SB over the holidays, but you'll make it! Good luck:)

Elbie- I live in Ft. Lauderdale too. You might wanna try Penn Dutch Supermarkets, they have lots of kosher stuff and the prices are really good (usually better than Publix, at least for meat). I go to the one in Margate, even tho the other one is closer.

Sun- thanks:) I got in to a class, but still not the one I need...will keep trying...

Travelled all day yesterday to get to my brother's; was greeted by home-cooked meals and tons of goodies. I left FL in 80 degree weather, got here and it was 20 degrees, but felt like 8! My poor husband is not one for the cold, and he's sick already; sneezing the house down like there's no tomorrow. Giving him lots of EmergenC and hoping he'll get better soon, so he can enjoy our stay.

Hope everyone's enjoying the holidays.

I weighed in today at 225.6 - same as yesterday (I stripped down in this freezing house for duplicate weighin? LOL!).  I shopped yesterday noon to 3am and 10 hours Monday.  Trying to keep active and without buying pressure, enjoyable.  Also trying to push my predictable end of month weightloss slowdown.

Ice, funny you would mention Publix. When I lived in FL, my aunt always said she would only get her meat from Publix (?) - thought it was better. 

Sazzie - Hi!  Great loss and if you dropped some water in that, reducing water is reducing bloat so still a good thing   Glad to have you aboard and looking forward to updates from you.

Christmas party this evening.  Down 10 lbs since I wore it at the company xmas party so thinking it will fit that much better.  The body had room but looking for the slightest improvement on hips.  Maybe I can get a photo.

Weighin tomorrow (Christmas to, from what Ive heard ).  Wishing you luck with eating. Should be in before than but if not, Merry Christmas!

Sun- Publix is the best when compared to most of the other supermarkets. The produce is usually very fresh, so I buy my fruits and veggies there. Penn Dutch grows and raises a lot of their own produce so the prices are a little cheaper, and the quality of the meat there is good as well. I usually buy meat at Penn Dutch and fruits, etc at Publix.

I won't be able to weigh in tomorrow cuz my brother doesn't have a scale. I think I'm at least maintaining tho because the clothes I packed seems a lot looser than they were before, and I'm using the last notch on my belt (and it's still not tight). We'll see if I'm still at 134 when I get back, cuz my brother and mother are starting to spoil me. I wake up and there's already breakfast and lunch, and then dinner is ready in no time... wish I could get this service back home;)

Thanks for the advice Ice, I will definitely try to find a Penn Dutch somewhere near me. What I hate about Publix is that they prepackage a lot of the veggies. For example, I wanted one zucchini for a recipe, but they only came prepackaged in that styrofoam tray with 4 in there! I knew I would never be able to use them soon enough, so I just skipped it in the recipe. That has happened a few other times too, with different veggies-plus, sometimes they throw in a rotting one for good measure. (At least, it has happened to me once or twice-and others I have heard from). Ooh, and once we bought my mother in law Lactaid from there and when we opened it, it was the foulest smell we have ever dealt with. YUCK! I actually sprayed air freshener througout the house.

Anyway-South Beach is kicking my ass today. I'm feeling thinner, yes-but also weak, I have a killer headache, and am on the verge of a very bad digestive situation, if you know  what I mean. I am forcing myself to eat, even though I am not hungry. Maybe I am getting sick? Maybe it's South Beach. Who knows?

I'm counting the calories pretty diligently, and maybe my portion sizes are all off, but my calorie count just doesn't come out high enough most every day. I don't control my portions at all, but I keep coming up with somewhere between 1090-1200 calories every day. I'm chalking it up to not knowing my portion sizes correctly. I should probably tack on about 250 to every day total.

I can't wait till phase 2!!!!!! Good luck to everyone over this holiday season! It will be hard for me too!

LB

LB- I think ur count might be right. When I was on phase 1, I realised most days my calorie count was below 1200. Try adding some more calorie dense foods, such as nuts, cheese and milk. Hopefully that will help with your headaches too, since you'd be consuming more calories.

Merry Christmas! 

Sorry to hear about how ill your feeling.  I did some checking and found a member had posted on this thread about this time last year who has been eating the SB style since 2003. She has links to her health history which she describes as having 'amazing changes'  but also mentioned headaches and how she handled it HERE. In it, she says:

"Since I first started in 2003, I've never gone back to Phase 1.  If I need to detox (like I did recently), I just do a very good Phase 2 "lite" version for a few days, eating grain only in the AM, and keeping fruits to 1-2 per day.  In only three days of this, I get past the headaches and the cravings.   Maybe this tip will help others."

If you feel you can continue in phase1, consider with you consiousness of calories to incorporate more beans since they are a source of carbs - perhaps that will help.

Im with Ice - the cals can run low phase1 and those are some good ideas if you want to bump them up. Ice, what wonderful hosts your family is!  My mom was like that and I know how pampering that can feel.  I only say was because she is in nursing care now.  I also have a store for produce but because they are so regularly low on pricing.

I will weigh in today but probably late. I had a high number and thinking its due to the party. I didnt splurge but did have much ham and hoping it was just salt/water. Probably will report back tonight.

My weigh in ended up being 227. Higher than its been but last night and today 226 although that weird morning weight I blew off was 229.  .

Happy feet - just cant stay home! Was out and about christmas plus up early to hit the stores today.  Not much buying but lots of shopping and avoiding being stir crazy at home. Heading off again but wanted to check in.

Last night daughter was over and we spent quite a while on her wii fitness.  Wow, that could be addictive. I didnt do badly at all compared with her teen friends surprisingly. Discovered my balance though is quite bad (one legged) and got some focus on the importance of posture and distributing my weight when I stand. 

Blah! I haven't weighed myself in several days for fear of what it says. I have been so diligant! What happened!?!? I'll do it on Monday. I just hope South Beach doesn't betray me like last time-lol. Monday I start phase 2. Then next weekend I go to Disneyworld with the hubs for our 1 year anniversary! It's going to be hard to stay good. I might have to put myself back on phase 1 to make up for the vacation. :( I know with all that running around Disney all weekend, I'm going to need much more calories to make it through those long days. I'll pack nuts-but what else will stay good while we are out for so long? Any suggestions? I just don't want to be lured in to tempting snacks at the parks.....

LB