Hey Everybody!!!!!!!!!

[sublime]

Hey ya'll, I'm Margie, and very new here. I really think I need some extra support. I'm sure by now my husband is tired of hearing about my dieting, although he won't admit it, so maybe you guys can listen for a while? I started Atkins at the end of August and it worked great. I went from 204 to 178, 10 of which I've gained back in the last couple weeks because I went off the diet for a couple days, tried to get back on, then said forget it. I stayed on Phase I the whole time because I was losing so much weight, and Phase 2 really didn't look that much different to me. But I got so sick of meat, eggs, and cheese I pretty much just stopped eating for a while. Not good. So I just started SB today. I think it will be a better plan for me, allowing more choices after the 1st 2 weeks, but I'm just worried it won't work. Any tips and advice? My theory was, I could do Atkins, lose a bunch of weight fast, but end up gaining it right back when I got fed up with the diet, or SB, lose a little slower, but be able to maintain what I was doing. I'm disappointed with myself right now for not being able to stick with Atkins, but it truely made me miserable and unhappy. Thanks for listening :) :D

[Ladibug52]

Hi, Sublime... :wave: Welcome to the Beach. I think you'll like it here. The South Beach diet is great and with the variety of foods, you shouldn't grow tired of your food selections. You can (and should) make SB your new way of eating for life.

Check out the updated food lists at the top of this forum. Also, it helps to read the different threads here as there is a gold mine of information. :agree:

Again, welcome!

[Redrose81]

Welcome! I also did Atkins the first time around it is much harder to lose and maintain, at least for me. I am doing SB as well and any questions you have we can do our best to answer for you ;) You might want to pick up a copy of the SB diet book since it is quite informative. I have yet to do that myself, miss penny pincher over here :lol: We wish you luck and please be sure to check out some of the SB threads, they are very supportive!

[icemanjs4]

Hi - welcome to the beach!

South Beach Diet is great because it lets you eat like a normal person. You can have chicken, steak, fish, lots of veggies and fruits and feel normal. You're not relegated to the land of bacon, eggs, and a cup of cream with a shot of coffee in it. As a result- you can always eat based on this plan. Much of it is common sense.

The best part is - for the most part, there is no calorie or portion counting. A few things need to be eaten in moderation, but I've never counted out anything since I've been on it. The best bet is - use common sense, and start out small. When you eat fish, take a small serving and a lot of veggies. If you're still hungry, you can go back and take a little more - and not feel bad about it. You'll be amazed at how often you won't even need to go back for more.

Good luck - we're all here for you.

[Demi]

Hey ya'll, I'm Margie, and very new here. I really think I need some extra support. I'm sure by now my husband is tired of hearing about my dieting, although he won't admit it, so maybe you guys can listen for a while? I started Atkins at the end of August and it worked great. I went from 204 to 178, 10 of which I've gained back in the last couple weeks because I went off the diet for a couple days, tried to get back on, then said forget it. I stayed on Phase I the whole time because I was losing so much weight, and Phase 2 really didn't look that much different to me. But I got so sick of meat, eggs, and cheese I pretty much just stopped eating for a while. Not good. So I just started SB today. I think it will be a better plan for me, allowing more choices after the 1st 2 weeks, but I'm just worried it won't work. Any tips and advice? My theory was, I could do Atkins, lose a bunch of weight fast, but end up gaining it right back when I got fed up with the diet, or SB, lose a little slower, but be able to maintain what I was doing. I'm disappointed with myself right now for not being able to stick with Atkins, but it truely made me miserable and unhappy. Thanks for listening :) :D
Hi Margie ~ welcome to the Beach :)

I can understand your worries that it won't work, because that's what I first thought too.

Like you, I lost a lot of weight the first time around with Atkins (in fact, I got to goal), but ended up putting it all back on and more. I have struggled for several years now to get anywhere and was beginning to despair.

However, inspired by Judynyc's success, I decided to give South Beach a go and I'm so glad I did, because it really got my weight loss back on track.

In 16 weeks I have lost a total of 34lbs and have also dropped two dress sizes :thup:

Now, we're all different, but I have found it extremely easy to stick with the South Beach woe. I love the food, and can quite happily see myself eating this way forever.

One thing I will mention is your remark about wanting fast weight loss ~ you need to change your way of thinking to look upon South Beach as a wol (way of life) and not as a quick-fix 'diet'. Unless you start thinking that way, you will be disappointed.

As for other tips and advice ~ check out the meal plans/food lists in the sticky at the top of the SB forum, also look through the recipe thread for some great ideas. I also suggest you participate in the daily meal plan thread ... not only will it keep you accountable, it will also help to pinpoint any problems you may have along the way.

[Judynyc]

Hi and Welcome Margie!! :wave:

Good answers!! But alas, iceman is a bit off on the portion control as it is in the Meal Plan Guide for us to follow on foods like Legumes, Nuts, Fats, Dairy. Veggies on our phase I list are unlimited, protein needs to be somewhat monitored. Veggies on the phase II list are portion controlled.

And to our Little Miss Penny Pincher!! :wave:
You can borrow the book from the library!! :idea:

Demi is right on about making a shift in your thinking to seeing this as a new way of eating for life. :agree: This is definitely not just another diet!! I got this soon after I started and when I realized it, I decided to find as many foods that I enjoyed on this plan so that I'd never get bored. I have to tell you that this is the first time in my life that I have 1- gotten to my goal weight and 2- have been maintaining my weight loss for the past 11 months.

My weight loss was never fast but it did average about 1.5 lbs per week. Not bad for a woman in her mid 50s. :cool:

I suggest that you print out all the Updated Food lists and Meal Plan guides and use them as reference as you learn the plan. :agree:

Good Luck!! :thup:

[Charran]

Hi Margie..Welcome to the Beach! I'm pretty new to SB too. I started at the beginning of October and so far have lost 18 pounds. I'm doing Phase 2 of SB, because I do want to make this a WOL and I'm not too concerned about rapid weight loss ( although my recent 2 week pout might indicate differently :lol: ) I'm really loving the variety and I feel this is something that I can do for life ( well, I have to, I'm diabetic :D ) I also had started on Atkins, but for many different reasons just was not able to continue doing it, although I know some people can and do very well on it. We all have to find something suited to our own need and South Beach suits mine just fine! :) Good luck to you!

[sublime]

Thanks everybody, you all sound great. I might post a before picture, and I guess I really need to start a journal. I did read the book before I even started. The only thing hard so far is making myself not count carbs like a crazy woman. I think most of the weight I gained back was water weight, because I lost about 7 lbs of it yesterday, my first day. Is that possible? I ate plenty. I about fell off the scale this morning when I saw that though. I hope to chat with you all soon, and thanks again!!

[skippie]

Just wanted to welcome you to the Beach.
As you can already see there is a lot of support here.
Just wanted to wish you the best on your journey.
Take a peek at some journals, most of list our meals, and its fun to just go visit everyone.

Have a great 1st week. :wave:

[fatnfedup]

Howdy Sublime!

I'm pretty new to the beach too. Started 9/2/06 and have lost 22 lbs so far, with minimal efforts. I bet you'll do great here. The variety is what drew me to the diet and is what keeps me here. I love the easy recipes especially trying new stuff out in my crockpot.

Best of luck!

[joesfolks]

I think Judy gave you one of the best tips, eat as many new foods as you can. Then you will see that there is a lot of variety to this woe. You really do have to do it for life or little by little the weight will creep back on and you will be back where you started again. Whole foods are best. Don't bother with the proicesed stuff or the Kraft SBD meals. They stall many people. This diet is about eating whole and unprocessed. That is what keeps you feeling full and satisfied. Wishing you all the best.

[Camelle217]

Hi and welcome!!!! You've gotten some great tips... for me the best is "BE PREPARED" If I have the right foods on hand, I don't stray.... but watch out if I don't. Anyway... welcome to the beach!