South Beach Diet?

[Jonezie]

I can't believe I'm asking this, but does anyone have experience with the South Beach Diet? My BFF, a very educated and intelligent woman, has recently gone through phase 1 of this plan and enjoyed it, but she's also the same BFF who led me into EHarmony catastrophe.

I have all Tosca's books on clean eating, but HATE to cook and find her recipes a little too advanced for me. I'm trying to take baby steps.

There's also a program called the Skinny Switch that is based on (from what I can gather) some form of calorie cycling. Here is that website:

http://www.skinnyswitchsecret.com/getting-started/howItWorks.jsp

I am NOT the kind of person who buys into diet trends or infomercial products. And I'm just beginning my research into these two programs. But am looking for something that would provide shopping lists, meal plans (with customization and substitution options)...and something that is colorful and interesting to print out and take shopping with me.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Jonezie

 

[cindi1]

I've heard about problems with skinny switch diet customer service when people try to cancel. I don't think I would go that route.

If you aren't into cooking - I think the Firm's 14 day diet is a good plan. It includes shopping lists and the recipes are very simple. The daily plan is 1400 calories with three meals and two snacks. Additional 100 and 200 calorie snacks are listed if you need a higher calorie level (it tells you how to determine your target calories).

It includes a shopping list and subsitutions list.

 

[Jonezie]

Thanks, Cindi!

That's EXACTLY the problem I feared with the Skinny Switch...it said $5 a week, but then when you looked at the fine print, it was $150 up front and you could cancel in 7 days. I thought, "yeah, right...sure you can cancel."

I will look into the Firm. Thanks again!

Jonezie

 

[caseysmomgo]

Hi Jonezie,

I tried South Beach Diet quite awhile ago, probably right after it came out. I followed it for a couple weeks and did lose a couple pounds, but I was irritable and cranky the entire time because I felt like I couldn't eat anything...and the cravings for the foods I couldn't have were so intense... I have never embraced any diet that has you eliminate so many foods.

How did you like the Geneen Roth seminar you were recently doing? I read her "Women Food God" book (I can't remember the exact title), but I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. It felt like I was just reading a bunch of mumbo jumbo that in the end could have been said on one page, or maybe in one sentence: "Only eat when you're hungry and watch portion control." Oh, and "don't say negative things to yourself". So many women have embraced that book, but it just didn't do anything for me and I just can't figure out why!

Good luck, Jonezie!

 

[Jonezie]

Hi Jonezie,

I tried South Beach Diet quite awhile ago, probably right after it came out. I followed it for a couple weeks and did lose a couple pounds, but I was irritable and cranky the entire time because I felt like I couldn't eat anything...and the cravings for the foods I couldn't have were so intense... I have never embraced any diet that has you eliminate so many foods.

How did you like the Geneen Roth seminar you were recently doing? I read her "Women Food God" book (I can't remember the exact title), but I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. It felt like I was just reading a bunch of mumbo jumbo that in the end could have been said on one page, or maybe in one sentence: "Only eat when you're hungry and watch portion control." Oh, and "don't say negative things to yourself". So many women have embraced that book, but it just didn't do anything for me and I just can't figure out why!

Good luck, Jonezie!

Thanks for the South Beach Diet info,Denise. I also worry that it is water weight one is losing on this program, which will be quickly regained upon eating normally. About Women Food and Good...you know I loved that book, and still do, because it was revolutionary for me in the way it dealt with self criticism, body loathing, shame, etc., as well as how it dealt with confronting feelings without using food. But I completely understand what you mean...there wasn't a lot of meat to the seminar. I felt like I could have gotten it in one or two sessions. My mom listened to the last session with me and found it a little hypnotic (not in a good way). But I will always treasure the book for a couple of profound passages...and will refer to it now and again. And I highly recommend it for anyone who swears they are NEVER gonna eat fill-in-the-blank again.

Talk to you soon! Jonezie

 

[Heidisue]

My husband did the South Beach Diet last year and it worked great for him. He lost about 35 pounds in 3 months. I had to cook the meals and buy the groceries that he could eat; mostly you stay away from processed foods, sugars, and high carbs; You eat a lot of salads, veggies, and protein. It's based on a low GI diet. So it's actually pretty healthy for you (after phase 1). I could never do it because I am addicted to sugar. I did eat the food though and they do have good recipes. Good luck.

 

[lisa_la_machina]

But I will always treasure the book for a couple of profound passages...and will refer to it now and again. And I highly recommend it for anyone who swears they are NEVER gonna eat fill-in-the-blank again.

Based on your comment, maybe the South Beach Diet would not be the best program for you since it restricts what you can/cannot eat (at least in the early parts of the plan). I've never done the SBD, so I can't comment on the program's effectiveness, but I also don't want to have to eliminate certain foods from my diet. The thought alone makes me cranky!