I started Atkins a long time ago, successfully lost about 15 pounds, and then fell off the wagon. Repeated the entire thing for a while & was again successful. Then, I ate whatever I wanted for a long while & gained pounds plus some. Now I'm 20 pounds heavier than when I began Atkins both times prior. This is the result of uncontrolled carb eating with NO reduction in fat -- a truly disastrous way of eating.

About 6 weeks ago I paid $1000 to do a "medically managed" local program (insurance covered the other $4000). It included 3 days/week of aerobic exercise (30 minutes each time), 3 days/week of 30 minutes weight lifting w/ a personal trainer, behavioral counseling, nutritional counseling, and MD visits. Since starting, I've been eating the traditional low-fat, lots of fiber, lots of "good" carbs, watch-your-portion-size diet recommended by the AHA & general nutrition wisdom. I have lost NOTHING. My weight is still 181. I have not gone down a size, I'm still at 14. I feel better than before, but not as energetic as when doing Atkins a long time ago.

I will continue to do the "medically managed" program, since it will last another 5 months or so, but I will now do the SOUTH BEACH diet with it. I started phase I yesterday. I've realized that Atkins does not work for me, b/c I can't make giving up a lot of my favorite foods a "way of life". I probably won't lose as much w/ South Beach as with Atkins, but it's got to be better than doing the traditional mainstream diet.

So here I am, starting again. This time on South Beach instead of Atkins, and I need support. I will change my profile right now...

And you may be pleasntly suprised and find that you lose better on SB than you did on Atkins. I certianly was. I've lost the majority of my weight doing SB. Although Atkins works very well for so many people, it wasn't right for me. Finding the plan that is right for you is the biggest hurdle we face IMO.

Welcome to the Beach, I hope you have great success!

Hi welcome back, I am not on south beach but you may be very surprised about the amount of weight you lose, especially if you like the program better. I agree Atkins does not work for everyone, I didn't have a problem with giving up stuff on Atkins or sticking to it, my problem was I lost the initial 9 pounds and that was it for 3 months and I felt sick all the time. Switched to carb cycling and wow lost 9 more pounds in 2 weeks and feel so much better.

A WOE or diet only is as good for you if you can live with it. If you can't live with it you can't lose or maintain. If one plan doesn't work for you there has to be a point where you find something that does.

If one diet worked for every single person it wouldn't be such a struggle. I really hope that south beach works for you and you reach your goals! Good Luck!

Hi! I'm back now too! Looks like you and I are about the same weight and size, and I think my final goal is similar to yours but right now I have it set to 150. When I hit that, then I'll decide where to go depending on how I look. I like South Beach, and from what I can tell, its healthy and you shouldn't feel sick on it at all like you did with Atkins.
So heres a starting good luck! Its nice to "meet" you!
Monica

Hi and welcome to the Beach!!

Yes, I agreee that when you follow this plan, you will be very surprised at your weight loss. We do not have to permenetly gve up our favoritue foods....we just don't eat them while we are losing weight. I have found other ways to feel and think about my old favorite foods...I have them now as treats, not daily as part of my food plan.

I've lost 120 lbs and have kept it off for over 2 years now.

We have updated food lists and meal plan charts that you would be wise to find and print up for reference. They helped me to learn to do this plan properly. They are located on page 41 of the South Beach Babes thread.

Good Luck!!

Thank you everyone for the comments and support.

Renee & LynnDee -- it's good to hear that people lose a surprising amt of weight on SB. I'm ready! thanks for the support.

Monica -- I'll watch your progress! I'm glad that we're all in this together (ie. that's it not just me).

Judynyc -- 120 pounds! Wow, very inspiring. I remember your name from the last time I was on these boards. It's really great that it works long-term & that people can maintain the weight-loss. And thanks for the tip. I'll look up that page right now...

I'm relatively new to SB and just wanted to add my 2 cents. I chose SB because it is WOE I feel I can live with for life. I love my veggies and just couldn't give them up and don't miss the bread and such that I had to stop eating. This is so easy for me as I hope it will be for you. Looking forward to watching your progress. I know you'll do fine. I'm going to go back and read some of the journals of the big losers above and get some pointers, as I feel I need to adjust some things.

I started Sb on 4/14/08 and I am already done 6lbs. I have done Atkins very successfully for years as well but I am tryng to watch my fat intake. The first couple of days for me was rough. I am a diabetic and my blood sugar was dropping too low. I adjusted my meds and added another snack since I am also exercising. I think you will like this wol better.

Welcome to SB.
I'm glad more people are finding there way here.
I wish you all the best with your journey.

Hello new South Beachers -- I am also just starting (just finished week 1 of Phase 1). I'm glad to have found this thread and others just learning the diet.

I lost 40 lbs. on Kimkins last year (180 > 140), and have gained back 10 or so. I've been having trouble transitioning to a healthier WOE, and I believe SB is right for me. During my first week I did really well, but (w/TOM) I gained 2.5 lbs.

I'm concerned that Phase 1 isn't 'working' for me, since I was not over-loaded with carbs before I started. Previously, my cals had been ~1000/day and carbs ~20. Should I have skipped P1?

I am still a bit afraid of carbs, even the good ones, so my daily carbs have been ~30 as I try to increase my daily calories to ~1500.

Any advice from the Pros out there? I would really appreciate it!

Start a journal to log your food daily......here is what you are to be adding in SB phase I:
2 cups dairy daily
2 servings beans daily, 1/3-1/2 cup is a serving
1 serving nuts daily
protein -as much as you need to feel satisifed
phase I veggies unlimited
good fats with each meal

FWIW, I never eat all the dairy and some days, don't get in all my beans/legumes...but knowing they are there helps.

Judy, Thank you for the pointers! I am also having difficulty getting all that dairy and beans in each day... maybe I'll make some soup with beans?

I hear ya on the dairy.....It is alot so I eat 1/2 cup of yogurt daily and that works for me.

As for the beans....I like hummus but its very calorie dense due to the tahini...so I have it with some veggies as an afternoon snack. I also make chili with black soy beans. Split pea soup also falls into this category and I've been making it for quite a while now. I hated it as a kid and now I love it!

Don't force the food but do eat...if you can't eat it all, know that these are guidelines so as not to over eat. At best, always get in your protein and veggies....do your best on the others.

author: Judynyc
extracted from p.41 SB Babes thread

SBD-Phase I updated food list:

PROTEIN

BEEF
Lean* cuts, such as:
Bottom Round
Eye of Round
Flank Steak
Ground beef:
Extra Lean (96/4)
Lean (92/8)
Sirloin (90/10)
London Broil
Pastrami, lean
Sirloin Steak
T-bone
Tenderloin
Top Loin
Top Round

* Lean meat has, per 100 gram portion, 10 grams or less of total fat and 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat.

POULTRY (SKINLESS)
Cornish hen
Low-fat turkey sausage (3-6 grams of fat per 60 gram serving) can be eaten as an occasional treat (approximately once/week)
Turkey bacon (2 slices per day)
Turkey and chicken breast

SEAFOOD
All types of fish and shellfish
Water-packed tuna and other canned fish
Salmon roe
Sashimi

PORK
Boiled ham
Canadian bacon
Loin
Tenderloin

VEAL
Chop
Cutlet, leg
Top round

LAMB (Remove all visible fat)
Center Cut
Chop
Loin

LUNCHMEAT
Fat-free or low-fat only
Boiled ham
Deli sliced turkey breast
Steamship roast beef
Smoked ham

MEAT SUBSTITUTES (SOY BASED)
Unless otherwise stated, look for products that have 6 grams of fat or less per 2-3 ounce serving
Bacon - Limit to 2 slices per day
Burger
Chicken, unbreaded
Hot Dogs
Sausage Patties and Links - Limit 1 patty or 2 links per day
Seiten
Soy Crumbles - 1/4 cup (2 oz) suggested serving
Soy Nuts - 1/4 cup for a protein snack is suggested serving
Tempeh 1/4 cup suggested serving
Tofu All varieties, 1/2 cup suggested serving
Yuba (Bean Curd or Sheet)

CHEESE (FAT-FREE OR LOW-FAT)
Look for varieties that have 6 grams of fat or less/ounce
American
Cheddar
Cottage cheese, 1-2% or fat-free
Cream cheese substitute, dairy-free
Feta
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Part-skim Ricotta
Part-skim String
Provolone
Swiss

EGGS
The use of whole eggs is not limited unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Use egg whites and egg substitute as desired.


MILK/DAIRY

(2 cups allowed daily, including yogurt)
Low-fat milk (fat-free and 1%)
Fat-free 1/2 & 1/2 (less than 2 tablespoons)
Low-fat plain, vanilla, or sucralose-containing soy milk (4 grams of fat or less per 8 ounce serving). Be sure the product does not contain high fructose corn syrup
1% or fat-free buttermilk
Fat-free plain yogurt


BEANS/LEGUMES

(Start with 1/3 - 1/2 cup serving)
Adzuki Beans
Black Beans
Black-eyed peas
Broad Beans
Butter Beans
Cannellini Beans
Chickpeas or Garbanzo
Edamame
Great Northern Beans
Italian Beans
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Lima Beans
Mung Beans
Navy Beans
Pigeon Peas
Pinto Beans
Soy Beans
Split Peas
White Beans


VEGETABLES
(May use fresh, frozen or canned without added sugar)

Artichokes
Arugula
Asparagus
Broccoli
Bok Choy
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Capers
Cauliflower
Celery
Chayote
Chicory
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Endive
Fennel
Garlic
Green Beans
Hearts of palm
Jicama
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce (All varieties)
Mushrooms (All varieties)
Mustard Greens
Nopales
Okra
Onions
Parsley
Peppers (All varieties)
Pickles - Dill or artificially sweetened
Radicchio
Radishes (All varieties)
Rhubarb
Sauerkraut
Scallions
Sea Vegetables
Snap Peas
Snow peas
Spinach
Sprouts
Squash, Spaghetti
Squash, Summer
Zucchini
Swiss Chard
Tomato
Tomato Juice
Turnip Greens
Vegetable Juice Cocktail
Water Chestnuts
Watercress
Wax Beans
Zucchini


NUTS AND SEEDS
(Limit to one serving per day as specified. Dry roasted recommended.)

Almonds - 15
Brazil Nuts - 4
Cashews - 15
Filberts - 25
Flax Seed - 3 TBS (1 oz)
Hazelnuts - 25
Macadamia - 8
Peanut Butter, Natural, and other nut butters - 2 TBS
Peanuts, 20 small (May use dry roasted or boiled)
Pecans - 15
Pine Nuts (Pignolia) - 1 ounce
Pistachios - 30
Pumpkin Seeds - 3 TBS (1 oz)
Sesame Seeds - 3 TBS (1 oz)
Soy Nuts - 1/4 cup
Sunflower Seeds - 3 TBS (1 oz)
Walnuts - 15


FATS/OILS

The following monounsaturated oils are recommended to be consumed daily:
Oil, canola
Oil, olive
Other Oil Choices that may be chosen (Polyunsaturated or a blend of Monounsaturated):
Corn
Enova
Flax
Grapeseed
Peanut
Safflower
Sesame
Soybean
Sunflower
Other Fat Choices:
Avocado - 1/3 whole = 1 TBS oil
Guacamole - 1/2 cup = 1 TBS oil
Margarine - Chose those that do not contain Trans Fatty Acids such as Fleishmann's Premium Olive Oil or Smart Balance
Mayonnaise - Regular - 1 TBS
Mayonnaise - Low Fat - 2 TBS (avoid varieties made with high fructose corn syrup)
Olives (Green or Ripe) 15 = 1/2 TBS oil
Salad Dressing - 2 TBS. Use those that contain 3 grams of sugar or less per 2 TBS. Best choices contain canola or olive oil. Low carb salad dressings may also be used if they meet these guidelines.


SEASONINGS AND CONDIMENTS

All spices that contain no added sugar
Broth
Espresso powder
Extracts (almond, vanilla, or others)
Horseradish sauce
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Pepper (black, cayenne, red, white)
Salsa (check labels for added sugar)
Use the following toppings and sauces sparingly (check labels for added sugar and MSG)
Cream Cheese, fat-free or light - 2 TBS
Hot Sauce
Low carb condiments, as long as they meet South Beach guidelines (have no added fat and are sugar-free/contain no added sugar)
Miso - 1/2 TBS
Shoyu - 1/2 TBS
Sour Cream, light and reduced-fat - 2 TBS
Soy Sauce - 1/2 TBS
Steak Sauce - 1/2 TBS
Tamari
Worcestershire Sauce - 1 TBS
Whipped Topping, Light or Fat-Free - 2 TBS



SWEET TREATS
(Limit to 75 calories per day)

Sweet treats are items that contain sugar alcohols, such as:
Candies, hard, sugar-free
Chocolate powder, no-added-sugar
Cocoa powder, baking type
Fudgsicles, no sugar added
Gelatin, sugar-free
Gum, sugar-free
Jams and jellies, sugar-free
Popsicles, sugar-free
Syrups, sugar-free
Some Sugar Free Products may be made with sugar alcohols (isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol or xylitol) and are permitted on the SBD. They may have associated side effects of GI distress (abdominal pain, diarrhea & gas) if consumed in excessive amounts.


SUGAR SUBSTITUTES

Acesulfame K
Fructose (needs to be counted as Sweet Treats, Caloric Limit)
Nutrasweet (Equal)
Saccharin (Sweet & Low)
Sucralose (Splenda)


BEVERAGES

Decaf Coffee and Tea
Diet, decaffeinated, sugar-free sodas and drinks
Herbal teas (peppermint, chamomile, etc.)
Milk (1% or fat-free) and soymilk (low-fat plain). See MILK/DAIRY.
Sugar-free powdered drink mixes
Vegetable Juice
Note: caffeinated coffee or diet sodas with caffeine added are allowed, but limited to 1 - 2 servings per day.
Phase I- Food to avoid

Foods to Avoid

BEEF
Brisket
Jerky, unless homemade without sugar
Liver
Other fatty cuts
Prime Rib
Rib steaks


POULTRY
Chicken, wings and legs
Duck
Goose
Poultry products, processed
Turkey, dark meat (including wings and thighs)


PORK
Honey-baked ham
Pork rinds


VEAL
Breast


CHEESE
Brie
Edam
Nonreduced fat


VEGETABLES
Beets
Carrots
Corn
Green peas
Potatoes, white
Potatoes, sweet
Pumpkin
Turnips (root)
Winter squash
Yams


FRUIT
Avoid all fruits and fruit juices in Phase 1, including:


Apples
Apricots
Berries
Cantaloupe
Grapefruit
Peaches
Pears


STARCHES AND CARBS
Avoid all starchy food in Phase 1, including:

Bread, all types
Cereal
Croutons, all types
Matzo
Oatmeal
Rice, all types
Pasta, all types
Pastry and baked goods, all types


MILK/DAIRY
Ice cream
Milk, whole


MISCELLANEOUS
No regular ketchup or cocktail sauce
No pork rinds - too high in saturated fat
No jerky - too high in sugar content


BEVERAGES
Alcohol of any kind, including beer and wine
[Click here to Read Judynyc's Journal]

Judynyc -- I cut/paste your entry from the SBB thread, since you cited it. As the author, if you object to its inclusion in this thread, please let me know & I'll delete it. You can even just pm me if you want to talk about it.

Otherwise, it's hugely helpful to have it on a p.1 instead of a p.41. It's currently my bible.