South Beach Diet - Help!

lynda

lynda

Cathlete
Are any of you out there having success with the South Beach Diet? I started it on Saturday, so I've been on it for five full days, not counting today, and I haven't lost a thing! I'm getting really frustrated. I've been pretty strict with it, but I have occasionally had more nuts than alloted. I'm working out with Cathe's tapes for an hour, five days a week. My parents went on the diet, too, and they're losing pretty steadily. Just wondered if anyone had delayed results or if I'm just a lost cause.
 
Most of the time it takes more than 5 days to show results. Remember that if you are working out, too, your muscles will be bigger (as in a bit "swollen," not BIGGER in size). Also, don't go by the scale, go by the fit of your clothes.

I am sure you will see results in the next 2 weeks. Don't despair. Maybe your parents have more weight to lose and at the biginning it may seem that they lose faster...but eventually, it comes to a halt and people plateu. That is where your exercise and perseverance comes in.

Blessings from our home to yours...Runathon
 
Like Bobbi said, not all diets are suited for everyone. I don't know how much weight you are trying to lose, but I was told that because I have very little to lose I should not expect to lose during the induction period. I would like to add that after 5 days your muscles will NOT be bigger. Also, if you aren't eating enough, you won't lose.

Good luck.
 
My DH went on the SB diet, and I with him, and I found it did not have enough calories for me. I had to almost double the menu he suggests. I wasn't looking to lose any weight, just eat healthy, and I lost 3#.

Maybe you're not eating enough for your activity level?
 
I have to agree that it is important to make sure you are eating enough. I found, when I was in Phase 1 of the diet, that when I did not eat enough the pounds did not come off - my body thought it was starving. So, I ate a little more than I really thought I needed and to be on the safe side, I started counted calories using www.FitDay.com. The following day or two, I saw a difference in the weight.

If you are working out, you will need to give yourself extra calories as well. The SB nutritionist and Dr. A. recommend a low fat, low sugar food. I found that yogurt did the trick for me about ½ hour before a workout.

Good Luck!
 
I'm currently ending up Phase 1. Have lost about 6 pounds total. But I ate quite a bit since I was working out and feeling sick most of the time. My friend started it with me, she is about the same weight loss but isn't working out. Dunno, body chemistry, activity levels. I know I've been really low energy and barfy feeling from all the protein, I have been adding in some carbs and feeling better, actually did the BC/ME combo today.
Traci'
 
Lynda,
Yes! I had the same exact experience. Don't be discouraged. I have followed the South Beach diet for about 6 weeks or so. I did not lose any weight during the first 2 weeks. I was not hungry during phase one of the diet but I felt weak and really too tired to work out at my usual intensity. When I moved to phase two of the diet, i started to see real results! I don't weigh myself very often, but suddenly my clothes became very rooomy. I went on vacation and ate normally and my clothes are still roomy. At this pointI'm following the principles of phase two-threeish and still seeing results. My goal was to lose between 5 and 8 pounds or one clothing size and that has been achieved. i don't know what your loss goal is, but sometimes if you don't have a lot to lose it seems harder to move the weight off.keep with it,don't give up! It will work!
 
Thanks, everyone, so much for all of the advice and encouragement. Sometimes it really helps just to have people to bounce things off to say, "Is this what's supposed to be happening?" I was relieved to hear that someone mentioned feeling nauseaous. I was wondering if that was related. I'm going to stick with it and see what happens. I don't feel hungry so much as I'd just like to eat something that tastes a little bit different than what's allowed during Phase 1. Wish me luck, and good luck to you all, whatever phase you are currently in. Lynda
 
Hi Lynda,

I know litle about the South Beach diet but if you ever want a "support group" or to talk with others who are doing it, there is an entire forum of "South Beachers" at diettalk.com, they even post their recipes to help one another with each phase, they seem like a really supportive group.

Donna
Fitness~ It's a journey, not a race!
 
What it is...

It's basically a way of eating similar to the Atkins Diet, high protein, low carbs. This doctor suggests being careful with fat. He doesn't say to cut it out but to be careful.

The book is pretty good. He explains why certain carbs are bad for our bodies & explains that these processed carbs could be a cause of the obesity in our country.

Even if you don't do the diet, I highly recommend reading the book. There's a lot of good nutritional information.
 
RE: What it is...

Thanks, Deborah! Myself, I am a major carbaholic and even eat some processed carbs, mainly pasta since my family won't touch whole grain pasta. Also I have found fresh, white flour tortillas which you cook yourself and are wonderful. I discovered with most tortillas, hydrogenated fats are used and I try to be very strict about avoiding trans fats. The uncooked ones use non hydrogenated oil. I think it's a good compromise to use white flour tortillas without the damaging fat and I always eat them with beans or something to balance out the high glycemic factor. I also indulge in a baguette now and again because they are so fabulous! I used to eat as much as 60% of my diet from carbs when I was an avid runner and that was fine then but a running injury to and surgery on my mouth and foot prompted me to increase my protein intake and I realized that eating protein in conjunction with my carbs really made me less inclined to crave carbs. That is one thing I know very well about high carbs is that they can increase cravings if they aren't eaten with protein and a little fat. I eat a number of high quaility whole grains as well. I think the most important thing is to make sure your diet can provide all the necessary nutrients, be moderate on sat fat and trans fats and to exercise regularly whatever your diet. I love this web site because it provides all the information on all health and diet issues! I made the inquiry about the SB diet this morning and my sister called me this afternoon to ask me what it was. I said I didn't know but I would let her know after I checked back in on this website! You guys rock!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
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