So, I'm ready to start South Beach, but I have a couple of questions that the book can't answer. I'm hoping someone might be able to help!
I was wondering if anyone knew of any no-fuss meal options along the lines of a balance bar, or another nutrition bar. The problem is that I am 1. an absolute train wreck in the kitchen, and 2. without any sort of reliable schedule since I am currently working as a server and my hours are very erratic. After several failed diet attempts, I've realized that if a diet requires too much cooking, food shopping, or other logisitical maintenance, I wont be able to do it. Unfortunately, this is just one of my shortcomings. I am going to try to work against this in order to succeed this time, but when it comes to cooking, I need to cut some corners where I can. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I am also a little unclear about the restrictions on alcohol after phase 1. I am 22, and much of my social life includes dinners out and nights at bars (which have likely been the driving force behind my weight gain). The book has some good information for eating out, but hardly addresses the alcohol issue at all. I know this might seem trivial, and I'm sure the answer for many was to simply cut alcoholic beverages out of the picture, but that's not realistic for me, and in any case I don't want to. Beer I understand, but I am not clear as to why the diet prohibits hard alcohols like vodka and rum. It seems as though a vodka soda or a rum and diet coke would have far fewer sugars and calories than a glass of red wine. Is alcohol really prohibited?
Anyway, I hope someone is able to help. I would appreciate answers, along with any general advice you maybe wish someone had offered you at the start. I don't have a ton of weight to lose, but the whole endeavor is daunting and feels like it's going to be unpleasant. I hope to be wrong.