Has anyone tried the South Beach diet?

RKwedding2011 · February 2012

I just started the South Beach diet. I'm on day 4 of phase 1. Has anyone else tried this diet? What did you think of it?

Katie

anna.oskar · February 2012

I actually going to start phase 1 on Monday. I'm hoping it will break my addiction to bread-carbs since I shouldn't be eating them anyway due to my gluten issues, and maybe help me break through the weight loss plateau I'm stuck in at the moment.

Based on the research i've done:
Generally, i think South Beach is the best of all the formal "low-carb" diet plans. Not nearly as carb restrictive as say, Atkins. Once you get past the 2 week detox phase, you really can eat whatever you darn well please as long as you practice some real moderation and make your meals nutritionally balanced. I like that they hardly restrict any veggies at all (pretty much just corn and potatoes in phase one) because that's where I get most of my carbs anyways and we DO need carbs. just the healthy kind and not the doughnut kind

The only thing about it that I find weird is restricting fruits for just the first two weeks. I understand that the program was originally not for weight loss and more just a glycemic index based diet that he developed for his heart patients (who also often had diabetes due to obesity) so it does make sense that they would need to be really aware of their sugar intake. Yes, fruits have sugar. But they also can be nutrient packed. But it's only two weeks, I'll get my vitamins from veggies and go back to my berries and apples as soon as I hit phase 2.

Good Luck!

RKwedding2011 · February 2012

Thanks,

Good luck on the diet! I hope it works for you.

I've been exercising more and eatling less plus eating lots of veggies for 1 year and lost NOTHING. I have exercised 5 days a week and eat about 1,500 calories a day. I lost seriously nothing. For this reason, I have decided to try the South Beach diet. I hope it works. I was thin until about 1.5 years ago when I moved in with my husband. He would give me huge portions of high calorie meals. I was too nice to say no. Then I noticed I gained 20 pounds! All my efforts to lose weight only got me 10 poound heavier. I hope I lose the weight with the South Beach diet plan.

I'd love to hear more from women who have tried it.

Katie

saacjw · February 2012

My family did it when I was in high school. It was really effective for my mom and stepdad, especially during the summer because the schedules were lighter, but it kind of got pushed to the wayside once school started. I feel like it's one of those things that's great to kick start weight loss and adjust habits. When my family did it, I didn't loose more than a pound or two, but I was also at a fitness level where I didn't have much to loose and intentionally broke the diet because it left me feeling way too drained (I was also tiny, mostly muscle, and dancing 8 hours a day). I'm really thinking about trying it again though because it was so effective for my parents.

entropicbeauty · February 2012

I actually liked it and lost a bit of weight the one summer I did it, but the minute my life got complicated with school again all the "good habits" went out the window.

I don't DISLIKE it, but just general calorie counting has been working much better for me.

bostonbride1081 · February 2012

I did the south beach diet through phase 2 and, as promised, you do lose a significant amount of weight IF you stick exactly with their meal plans. I lost 20 pounds in 2 months, but I also coaching the girls soccer team where I taught and ran a lot with them too. Honestly I gained it all back during phase 2 and that's what sucked about it. Not only that, I lost ALL my muscle mass in mu arms and legs and lost a lot of my butt (which I really like haha!). Its so hard to lose anymore weight when you get off of phase 1 and the weight came back fairly quick. My advice: don't do any fad diets, stick to what works....healthy carbs and whole grains, lots of fruit and veggies, working out 5 days a week. The weight wil come off in all the right areas and you will feel good!

RKwedding2011 · February 2012

The weight would always come off for me in the past. However, once I hit my 40's things changed. For over a year I ate less and exercised more than I ever have ever in the past and I lost nothing. I'm at a point in which Im willing to try what ever it takes. I was always thin until a year and a half ago. I am now 30 pounds over weight.

For anyone trying this diet, it is hard the first 2 days. However after 2 days you get totally used to it and you don't crave the things grains you give up for the first 2 weeks.

I have no idea if this diet is going to work for me. I do know that when I was in my early 20's, I had to give up grains for 1 year due to a medical issue. I was the thinnest I have ever been. Well we will see if this works for me.

Katie

RKwedding2011 · February 2012

OK the South Beach diet is NOT for me. I lifted weights at the gym yesterday. I felt tired, cranky, achey and awful all day. I decided that if I continue the feel bad, I will stop the diet. Today I woke up feeling bad. I ate some qunoa today. From now on, I'm eating healthy grains and healthy foods. Phase 1 of the South beach diet doesn't work for me. I didn't find the meals to be balenced for me.

Katie

kmmarkow · February 2012

I lost 35 pounds over 1 year (25 in first 3 mos.) and have kept it off for 6 years. Granted, I had just graduated college when I started it, so I was not at a good weight for my body, but I couldn't have done it without SB. My dad also did it and lost 50 pounds, though he has gained 20 or so back. What's great about SB is it gives you a kick in the butt when you get started, gives you great initial results, and ultimately is a very easy diet to live by long term (Phase 3, that is!).

Has anyone tried the South Beach diet?

Re: Has anyone tried the South Beach diet?

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