Anyone doing the South Beach Diet

[Pat S.]

Hi,
I have been doing the South Beach Diet for a month now and love it. I was doing Atkins but wasn't getting anywhere and was afraid to quit because of the regain and the added weight. With South Beach it took my awhile to get started but I didn't gain and have lost 7 pounds. Hope there are others that will join this thread. Pat S :wave:

[jobee108]

Hey...
I started the South Beach Diet 2-1/2 weeks ago. It really simulates Atkins, but I didn't lose as much as quickly. So far 5 pounds. I love the recipes and meal suggestions in the book. Really simple.
I must confess, same as Atkins, my energy level is still low and climbing stairs is a major effort! How much longer til I feel more energetic? I'm not going to quit. Really want to lose 20 pounds.
:daze: hope to hear back!

[Pat S.]

Jobee,
Hi, Low carb dieting always leaves me with low energy, are you taking any supplements? I know Dr. Agatston recommends a vitamin a day. I love this woe it is so easy I think it is because I love veggies so much.
Have you gone over to http//:www.prevention.com they have alot about the diet there.
Take Care, Pat :wave:

[jobee108]

Pat S.
Thanks for your reply.
I tried the website and it is really informative. You are right about having the advantage of loving vegetables.
I do take a multi-vitamin plus I take calcium and vitamin C.
Urgh, feel so winded when I climb a flight of stairs. My thighs burn like I've run a mile!
I'm sure it will pass and it probably means my body is burning fat? I hope!
Again, thanks for the encouragement and advice! :)

[NannylouG]

Hi Pat and Jobee,

I have been on the South Beach diet for 6 weeks and I really think this could be a permanent lifestyle for me.

I was a carboholic and am still amazed at how easy it was to give up the carbs!

I am down 14 # in the 6 weeks - well, actually down 14# in the first 5 weeks and nothing this past week, but that is okay with me; I can't expect to lose a pound every week as I near my goal.

I have added exercise to my routine this week, mostly because I have been a bit lazy until now.

I was taking Metamucil 3 times daily but decided to stop it cold turkey a few days ago to see if I really still need it. I took fish oil for a few days but was burping fish which was quite unpleasant!

I have found that I am sleeping through the night now that I am off carbs. I haven't slept through the night in years!!!! Never suspected carbs could be the cause!

[jobee108]

Sorry it took me this long to check back into this room!
So glad about your success with this program.
How did you do over the holidays?? Eegads. I went off the program!
I didn't really intend to, but vendors kept sending baskets of fruit, chocolate, cookies and other confections! Urgh!
However, glad to say, I'm back. Day 2 having unbelievable cravings, but really want to get back to my healthy eating again.
Let me hear from you (and others); especially if you can comiserate with me!
jobee

[lawoman]

Hi fellow SBer!

I started 2 days ago and lost 4.5 lbs. so far. I feel really good about this being a great life-style kind of diet. We go out a lot and I feel that this is something I can actually live with. I'm looking forward to getting off induction and getting on with eating whole food and grains that I missed so much on Atkins( I was more or less on it 4 yrs.). We are going to try to get a new thread started wherever a moderator wants us to be so hope to see you there soon.

Linda

[Boom]

Im on my first week of SB after doing Atkins for several months. Atkins works, it just made me start to eat and crave foods I simply didn't want to be eating that much of (bacon, rich cheeses etc) So I am on SB and I feel wonderful and I am so glad to finally have a board here!

[lawoman]

Good morning everyone,


I was down another # today so that makes 5.5 since Tues. I made the quiche to go cups and had them for breakfast yesterday.They are so handy and quick...my kinda food! I made heroin wings last night which is an Atkins recipe but I converted it by using I Can't Believe It's not butter spray to coat rather than the butter it called for. I had a hot veggie with that. I,too,needed to be on a plan but eating anything on Atkins that tasted remotely good would cause me to overeat.With me it was the taste.

So,maybe this is our new Beachers home.It's ok with me as long as we have a home to call ours and where others can visit and learn!:) I get the feeling that a lot of people think the SB came out to jump on Atkins bandwagon (I thought that myself until I read the differences) Hopefully folks will learn tolerance and understanding as well as learn what this WOE is about.

Hope you all have a great SB day,
Linda

[Boom]

One thing we definitely need in terms of information are more RECIPES! On the South Beach website there are some but I am seriously lacking in terms of recipes and I know this will be a great place to share those.

[lcforme]

Hi

I started South Beach six days ago and am loving it! Haven't weighed myself yet, but will try and persevere until the two week phase is over. I become too obsessive otherwise! I definitely feel as though the waist of my trousers is looser, though.

I started Atkins last February 2003 after being a yo-yo dieter and thought that was "going to be the last "diet" for me". I'd heard so many positive things about it and still think it is great for many, but unfortunately not for me! I seemed to have an initial drop in the first two weeks of about 8lb and then nothing for seven months and I really didn't move out of induction. I lost some inches, I think, but got so frustrated that I gave up pretty much and started adding more and more carbs until, yes that's right, just about back to square one!

I had thought of trying South Beach for weeks, but thought, "no, Atkins will work I'll go back to it just persevere" but then read so many positive posts that I thought I'd give it a try, and I'm so pleased I did. Sounds like people that have struggled to lose weight for a long time and have been yo-yo dieters have been very successful. My husband started with me also, as he did on Atkins, but he lost all the weight and here I am at square one! :cry: He is really supportive and he has lost about 6lb already that he'd put on over Xmas.

Found this South Beach recipe site www.southbeach-diet-plan.com thought you might be interested in.

Good luck everybody! :)

[JAYJOY]

Hi Everyone, :yay:

I'm happy to see this support page for South Beach. I've just been doing SB for a week now, I really like the food choices, I feel energized. But I have also started a serious weight training program, and found that I actually gained instead of losing, even though my pants fit looser! Hope it's the "gaining muscle" thing, I'll keep going anyway, I'm eating so many more veggies and mostly chicken, shrimp, eggs. The only thing I don't like about lo- carb, is that I work in an office, very early in the morn and have to bring my breakfast, lunch and snacks, and I don't care for eggs every morning! Any ideas for a take a long breakfast? It's great to start out with all of you, hope everyone reaches their goals and shares their ideas and recipes.

Jayjoy :thup:

[lawoman]

Welcome Jayjoy...glad you found us fellow beachers here. If you don't like eggs every day you could always take a meat/cheese roll up or something considered non-breakfast.Nobody says that breakfast has to be "breakfast food" :)

Also,as you most likely know,you can add a bit of cereal after next week.I found great low fat,low carb milk(25) by Hood at Wal-Mart and then there is LeCarb (I found this at Albertson's)

Maybe some others have some great breakfast ideas,too. Or you may find something about it on prevention.com.

Have a great "Beach" day,
Linda

[dtstme5]

Hello Everyone! I am from Michigan, and I am stuck in the house! Decided to go buy the South Beach diet and see if I can lose the 14 pounds I have been struggling with for over a year. I love the book, and when I went on the diet, I did good when I stayed on it, but I don't like eggs, shrimp or tuna...so I am in desperate need of finding other alternatives. I have tried the ff turkey bacon and that is very good. I also have a problem with what to pack for a day away from the house. I love the ff cheese sticks, but they seem to slide down WAY to quick! I want to go check out that web site about the recipes that someone else mentioned in here. Thanks everyone! I think this site is going to help me so much, because I can come here and get inspired from people that are doing exactly what I am doing!!!

Stay warm everyone! Its freezing here!

Susie

[debintenn]

Hi! I'm new to the SBD, too. I'm on Day 7 of Phase I and I'm thrilled to find this forum! I'll be checking in daily and maybe have something to contribute soon. I haven't weighed in a week (I'm scared to lol!) So far, it's been no problem, but I just recently quit smoking so I'm still battling the obsession to eat that goes along with it. It's great having a place to find some moral support :)

[edina]

Afternoon Everyone!!
I've been on the SBD for a couple of days now and feel terrific. I still get a ‘sweet’ craving after lunch and dinner but I’m hoping, as I’ve read, that it passes.

JAYJOY
You may be gaining a little from new muscle: Nevertheless, keep it up --muscle burns calories big time!!

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

[Pat S.]

Hi ,
For those sweet cravings don't forget FF fudgesicles and hard sugarfree candy
up to 75 calories a day.
Pat S.

[Boom]

I always keep the Sugar Free fudgesicles in my freezer. 35 cals each, so in first two weeks I can still have 2 in one day and not max out my pudding/pop allowance. And I love them.

[lawoman]

Hi all,

I was making SF jello as a snack but forgot we could have the SF popsicles.Thanks for sharing that! I wrote the forum moderator to request a permanent home for all of us beachers so that all the good info does not get so scattered around and everyone miss some things.I'll post here once I get a reply.

Tomorrow will be a week and it has gone great.I have stayed the same the past few days but so far 5.5 for the first week is good enough for me! :)

Linda

PS. The small book by Dr. Agatston called SB..Good Fats..Good Carbs Guide is an excellent source for what we can have and should avoid in case you did not get it.It retails for $7.99 but is worth every penny and more.

[doreen T]

PS. The small book by Dr. Agatston called SB..Good Fats..Good Carbs Guide is an excellent source for what we can have and should avoid in case you did not get it.It retails for $7.99 but is worth every penny and more.hi Linda,

Thanks for that tip :thup:

I have the South Beach book, but was wondering if this guide had more info that isn't in the main book. Think I'll order it today. :read:

Doreen :rose:

[gawdess]

I got the Good Carb Bad Carb book just before Xmas and I love it!

[SBDSharon]

Hi.

I'm Sharon.. Been following the SBD for 11 days, on day 5 i was down 7lbs, haven't weighed in since..

looking for support..

Sharon :angel:

[lawoman]

Hi All and welcome Sharon...so glad you found us here.If support is what you need,support is what you'll get. I am down 6.5 after my first week and I'm happy about that!

Tonight will be a bit of a challenge but I'm willing to bet I stay on plan.I'm determined! We are going to the Horshoe casino for buffet.My DH is doing this with me and is down 8 lbs. so I told him if we go off plan we have to do induction an extra week. We'll stay on plan! :) I have no cravings now so that will help the cause.

I finally bought the fudge pops yesterday but they went unopened.We both had a small dish of SF jello...again. Dinner was fish(Salmon for him...tilapia for me) and stir fry veggies.

Have a great day...
Linda

[lowcarbL]

Hi everybody im new hear I have been on the South Beach Diet for 16 days already and i weighed myself on the 14th day and already lost 11 pounds. I really enjoy this diet........

[CakkyDoodl]

I've been working on this for a couple of weeks now, and I think the few allowed carbs in phase 1 are what keep me sane and on the program. Whenever I feel tired or in any way unwell I eat some beans or drink some milk and I don't feel the loss of energy I felt with Atkins.

I too think this is something I could do for the rest of my life, and much easier than high carb low fat because of the cravings.

[lawoman]

Hi All,

10 days are past on this WOE and it really feels like a no-brainer to me. I guess without the cravings I am not even having to give it too much thought and with a little prep ahead of time I'm able to have something legal to grab in a hurry if the munchies do hit.I have lost 6.5 in the 10 days and even went to a buffet dinner at the casino.I did have 2 rum and diet cokes there but it did not seem to affect me...not even a buzz! :rolleyes: ..LOL

If anyone has any tips on anything and like to share them,this will be the place to do it.I don't do much snacking but think I may have to revert to lunch for brekky as I'm sick of eggs.Next week I'll have some of the suggested cereal but till then...

Have a wonderful weekend,fellow beachers..

Linda

[zandria72]

Hey Linda, you need to change your profile! No more fat flush for you... ;)

[lawoman]

Thanks up for the heads up zandria.It's all changed now as someone in my journal pointed it out to me.:) You're right,I'm way over FF now al.though I think it is a very healthy plan,just not for the social or timid! ;)

SB is working out well for me.Another lb. loss today so I'm down 7.5 in 11 days and I like that.I've been making good choices when out socially due to lack of cravings. I'm looking forward to even more choices on Tues. when I start phase 2.:)

Hoping everyone has a great long weekend...
Linda

[bluebird17]

Hi everyone, I too have been on Atkins forever and don't seem to lose a great deal before I go WAY off and binge.I am worried that the SBD being less restrictive will cause me to gain as if I am on Atkins maintenance. Any problems for you all? Reading your posts sounds like you had the same problems with Atkins.So when you went on SBD after Atkins you didn't gain? I do also miss freSh fruits and whole grain foods,I've been off red meat since 1970 and used to bake my own bread so I think having a more balanced diet must be better. All your help and support is very appreciated. I always tried to do it myself but have read the stats on getting support so here I am! I have 50# to go and have 6 months to do it in...? :yay:

[Zuleka]

Hi everyone,

I was also doing Atkins, but after Christmas I just couldn't get back in the groove of things. Some friends are on SBD, so I decided to give it a try.

My frist day I was very sleepy, I just thought my body needed to get acustom to the switch from Atkins. It's my second day and I'm full of energy. Can't wait till the weekend to weigh myself.

Good luck to all you you Beachers!!!

[lawoman]

Hi Bluebird,

No,I truly don't believe you will have a hard time losing if you start this right from Atkins.Just prepare yourself to have the right foods around.I was having more cravings on Atkins and I'm not sure if it was the "taste" or the insulin spike.The SB has all the right carbs and I think you will go right on losing because you will be using a lot less sat. fat.Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Hi zuleka,

I had a day or 2 that I was tired also.It passed for me,too and I feel great as well.This WOE has worked out so much better for me socially as well.I can go to buffet now and I'm not even tempted to eat anything not on plan as there is enough variety to satisfy me plus no cravings help.Did you find this to be true as well? Good luck with the plan.

It is great to have all these posts to support one another and share ideas and concerns.

Have a great SB Day...

Linda

[L10JOHNfan]

I also love the book and while it is taking a lot of will power for me to stick with the program (having family around that *CAN* eat carbs is not a plus!):bash: I too do not really care for eggs. I can do them scrambled (must be well mixed with something in them) and the recipes made with the egg whites are repulsive, mainly because that is the part of the egg I don't care for!:Puke:Tuna is the same way....I don't care for any fish, but I do like shellfish luckily. I didn't care for the dilled shrimp salad in the SBD book. My husband thought it was great and he isn't even on the diet. It was a little strong for my taste so I will need to make some sort of change on that one.

My biggest problem is that I never was a breakfast eater until I started going to work early in the morning. I like traditional breakfast, it wasn't like I was eating a sweet item (to be honest, I don't really care for sweet items!) but I know my weekness is carbs as in pasta, grits and so forth. Being from a southern family, I DO miss my grits or home fries. I also know that they are a no no! I don't want what I had the night before or something not traditional for breakfast, so this part is killing me! One of the things I have been doing besides the egg beaters is one morning I had ham and 2 slices of low fat swiss. That was also the one day that I felt the best in the morning. I actually might go back to having that some, because yesterday was a real bad day for me for whatever reason. I ate a whole bowl of SF jello. I do think I have narrowed it down to the fact that I was doing the family taxes as I have 2 comp days off from work!:eek:

I think it just might take some creative thinking for the breakfast on my part. I am trying to put this in the perspective that this is life change for me because of my PCOS.

Good luck Susie...and be sure to post any ideas YOU might have!:idea:

I love the book, and when I went on the diet, I did good when I stayed on it, but I don't like eggs, shrimp or tuna...so I am in desperate need of finding other alternatives. I have tried the ff turkey bacon and that is very good.

Susie