I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

[saraa281]

Hi, I am thinking about switching to South Beach to have more of a variety as far as yogurt, milk, and whole wheat pastas. I think bc I keep cheating here and there that if I was not restricting these carbs I may not feel deprived. Have you guys had experience with this? Please help. I need all advice I can get before making this decision.

Thanks,
Sara

[cleochatra]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Why not just move up the OWL rungs instead? There's no crime in that! Once you're in ketosis, slowly start climbing the OWL rungs for the variety you are missing! You can have the best of all possible worlds.

{{{Sara}}}

[speedygt03]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Run for cover.........

[saraa281]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Why run for cover??? I just wanted anyone's experience-

Thanks,
Sara

[rybread]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Been there, done that, got the teeshirt. Needless to say, not my thing.

I don't believe in low-fat products, for one. And I don't agree with the Dr's stance on fats. Not to mention, he totally contradicts HIMSELF on fats in his book. And - he goes all crazy about saturated fats in his book saying that they are essentially the most evil thing ever, and completely FAILS to mention trans fats! WTH?

For two, not enough guidance or structure - Phase I is strict, somewhat like Atkins, and then Phase II literally throws you to the wolves. Time for you to 'figure it out yourself,' essentially. So what happens? Everyone jumps from eating little dairy, no fruit, and no starches, to throwing them ALL back into their diet at once. A recipe for disaster.

The Dr flat out states in his book that he doesn't think exercise is important. Excuse me?

I personally felt hungry all the time from all the low-fat crap, and the lack of structure past Phase I totally didn't work for me. YMMV.

I agree with Cleo - why not move onto OWL?

[cleochatra]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

No need to run for cover!

Don't forget that if you really want to try SBD, ADBB also has a low-carb bulletin board sister board. You can reach it by clicking this link www.lowcarbbulletinboard.com

[Cobra Dan]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Hi, I am thinking about switching to South Beach to have more of a variety as far as yogurt, milk, and whole wheat pastas. I think bc I keep cheating here and there that if I was not restricting these carbs I may not feel deprived. Have you guys had experience with this? Please help. I need all advice I can get before making this decision.

Thanks,
Sara

i've done south beach before. absolutely hated it.

[yemenitegreen]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

I think that the Atkins approach is way better than South Beach - but that's just my opinion (and I guess, most people on this board prefer Atkins - it is an Atkins board, after all ). South Beach seems to be a one size fits all diet, basically low GI...

Atkins and moving through the rungs of OWL gives you an opportunity to create a way of eating which is right for your body, and no one else's. You can find out about sensitivities and food allergies, see what works best for you, and when you have entered maintenance you will have a plan not the same but somehow similar to SB - custom designed for you.

In the end, it is a decision only you can take. If you really feel you should do SB, grab the book, hop over to the low carb bulletin board and find advice and diet buddies there. It is your body, and only you know what makes you feel good or sick.

yemenitegreen

[Zarabelle]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Hi there

Lou and I tried this last year and speaking for myself it was a disaster. As soon as I ate that first bowl of All Bran, the carb bugs came back and I just couldn't control my hunger at all.

What I would advise is to climb the ladder as Cleo says. I didn't do that last time either and felt quite bored after 4 months. This time, I started climbing after induction and can look forward to having all these different foods over the coming weeks.

Good week in whatever you decide.

x

[Elizellen]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

There is a post on the 'lowcarb dieting other than Atkins' forum with quite a detailed comparison of Atkins and South Beach that might help you make your mind up what to do next.
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=1470

[speedygt03]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Why run for cover??? I just wanted anyone's experience-

Thanks,
Sara

The only reason I said that was because 'most' of the time when another WOE is brought up, people tend to FREAK OUT!!!

"how could you say SOUTH BEACH at adbb"!!!!!!!!!! things like that. Just wanted to warn ya, not sure if you've noticed that before.

ANYWAYS, im glad people were nice about it! These people have alot to offer.

[saraa281]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Okay you guys- Thank you so much for all the info. That is really what I was looking for. I am a huge believer in Atkins- I lost 30lbs in 3 months. I am just in a rough stage right now after meeting my first goal. Now I feel like "treating myself" more often than not. I am scared to move to the OWL. I am gonna rough it out and stay with you all I just have a co-worker that seems to think SB is so much better- that is where my curiousity came from. Someone please tell me how to quit these cheats!!! I am so frustrated!! Thanks for everything.

[cleochatra]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

To stop cheating, here are strategies I try. I have many more, but do you want a book?:

1) Just sniff it, baby!
That's right. I remember spending half an hour last Halloween with a sealed bag of Snickers on my face just inhaling.

Your sense of smell can and will save you on this way of eating. Ever notice when you have a cold and you can't smell that things just don't taste so good? Principle applies: your nose is an important organ and will being satisfaction-- if it didn't, how did aromatherapy get so big?

Things I have been known to bogart sniffs of:

pizza
donuts
candybars
cheesecake

2) Be accountable. Either to ADBB or to yourself in a journal.

I belonged to a local TOPS group (Take Of Pounds Sensibly). Part of their opening pledge goes like this, "Everytime I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember that even though I overeat in private my excess poundage is there for all the world to see".

POW! Bam! Smack on the kisser with that realization...

You can choose to not be accountable to yourself, but your excess poundage is there to tell the tale. Your body speaks louder than words, girl. So be accountable.

3) Plan for disaster. If you know there is an event or occasion coming up which tempts the palate, you have to change your response from the usual conditioned response. If you usually celebrate birthdays hunkered down with pizza and cake, shake it up. This year you will take everyone bowling instead!

Fear the Halloween candy stock-up? Don't give candy this year. Instead, take the kids to a movie, play video games, or go camping!

Usually snack when you get home from work? Fine. Walk in a different door and make a beeline for your bedroom and immediately change into your workout clothes. Fill a bottle with water, turn on some dancing music, and start cooking dinner.

[saraa281]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Thank you Cleo- I love it!!! I am so gonna start smelling everything. I have the hardest time in the evenings around 8-10 p.m. after I have exercised and no one is around. I have been eating bran cereal with dried peaches and strawberries. That is my weakness. I feel horrible the next day (the dairy kills my stomach) but yet I still do it. I will try your suggestions. I will keep you guys posted also as a way of being held accountable. Thank you for the support!

[cleochatra]

Re: I am thinking of trying South Beach...has anyone tried it before?

Just a thought, now that you've pinpointed a habitual behavior... Tonight, after you exercise, lay down in bed with a new decorating magazine you've treated yourself to. Or give yourself a manicure. Keep your mind busy, and your hands busy! The habit is tough to break, but rewarding yourself is a positive way to give yourself some pamper time minus the food. {{{Sara}}}