Atkins vs. South Beach

[BAM]

I have failed at atkins twice.... Simply because i got bored. A foolish reason i realize, and the worst part is it was really working, i told myself i would go off for a week, because i was moving or some other excuse, but the end results are its been 5 months since i was last on.

So now my wife wants to go on South beach, i started reading the book but it sounded like a watered down version of atkins. I know atkins works, but i wanted opinions here, why is atkinds better or worse than south beach?

[not2late]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

I have failed at atkins twice.... Simply because i got bored. A foolish reason i realize, and the worst part is it was really working, i told myself i would go off for a week, because i was moving or some other excuse, but the end results are its been 5 months since i was last on.

So now my wife wants to go on South beach, i started reading the book but it sounded like a watered down version of atkins. I know atkins works, but i wanted opinions here, why is atkinds better or worse than south beach?

I have a question for you. When you did Atkins the last time, did you stay on the Induction phase or did you move to the OWL phase and Pre-Maintenance phase as Dr. Atkins advised us to do? From my experience reading the posts here at ADBB, the number 1 reason for boredom is staying on Induction too long and forgetting that there are 2 other less-restrictive weight loss phases.

Phase 1 of South Beach is similar to the Atkins Induction Phase. However, South Beach is a low fat diet, therefore, you might have to eat smaller meals throughout the day in order to keep your blood sugar levels from bottoming out.

[cleochatra]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

SB is a watered-down version of Atkins. Granted, it works for some! If you do decide to go that route, there is support and more information about South Beach at our sisterboard. Click this linkie to go there and read more.

I know it is easy to become bored if one sticks to extended induction for long periods of time. At times like this, climbing the OWL rungs makes more sense than switching to a higher-glycemic way of eating.

You could always try SB, see how it works and then compare the two...or watch your wife, you continue the OWL rungs and see how similar both ways of eating really are.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

I've been on extended induction since May of this year and I am not bored at all....but then again I'm the type of person who likes to eat the same thing for weeks.

[dreamof145]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

I stayed on extended induction until I'd lost 100 pounds. I never got bored. There are so many recipes and foods to eat. Even if you aren't on a weight loss plan, if you eat hamburgers everyday, you get sick of them. I love chicken. I fix it 2-3 nights a week. I fix it different ways with different veggies and never get bored. I also fix pork or fish. There have been some nights when I just want a larger salad instead of fixing a meat to go with the meal.

If the family is having pizza..I make an Atkins pizza for me. I can freeze some of it for a lunch later in the week. If the family is having spahetti, I slice zucchini for my noodles and eat my 'fake pasta meal'. I can't think of one activity I've had to miss due to the food issue. If you stay on the Atkins plan, utilize the recipe section and you will never get bored with the meals.

[Yoly1001]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

For me one of the best benefits of Atkins is that you never have to be hungry. I know that eating high quantitites of good fats is what is keeping me hungry free. I don't know too much about SB but if it is also low fat then I would probably be hungry the entire time. It wouldn't work for me.

Whichever you decide you should be proud that you are taking a step in getting to a new healthier you. Good luck!

[cruiser gal]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

I have never been bored on Atkins. I was on extended for 5 months, and varied my menues quite often using the recipe section here. Moving into OWL gives me so much more freedom, and more than enough varieties of food to eat. The most important factor for me, other than I have never felt or been healthier in over 25 years, is that I am truly never hungry, and don't feel like I'm missing something.

[BAM]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

im starting induction for the last time!!!! Im starting on Wednesday. I'll go shopping tomorrow evening. I think it will be alot easier this time because i recently purchased a rotisserie and using it is a blast.

[Perry]

Re: Atkins vs. South Beach

BAM, here is a good comparison of both diets...

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1470