Hi, I'm new here to the site. I started SB yesterday and by the time night came I felt pretty crappy. I won't bore you with all the symptoms, but this morning I feel worse. My diet prior to this was probably 90% carbs and sugar so I'm sure this is all withdrawal stuff. But how long do these symptoms last? Is there anything I can do to make this time less difficult?

Thanks!

hi vivien and welcome to the beach. sounds like you have what they call the south beach flu and the good thing is it only last a few days so hand in there cause it will be worth it.

vivien, it won't last long and then you'll be amazed how great you will feel.
In the meantime, make sure you are getting the healthy allowed carbs from 2 cups of dairy/day, lots of beans, at least 4.5 cups of veggies/day, and drink lots of water to help flush things out.

Hi Vivien,

Welcome! When I started the Beach, days 2 and 3 were the worst for me. Once I was past that rought spot, though, I began to feel a lot better. It'll be over before you know it!

Yeah, definitely, the 2nd and 3rd days were the worst... it'll take all your willpower not to give in to the cravings.... but be assured, 5 months later, I don't crave sweets at all. It's a miracle for me.

Eat your beans and have some dairy, and drink lots of water and chew on sugar free gum. You'll make it and you'll feel great!

Thanks ladies. Sugar and refined carbs must be pretty bad for you...I bet nobody ever felt this way giving up broccoli!

are you eating beans and drinking milk?

I'm going to go with EAT BEANS too. It will perk you up.
Don't let yourself get hungry...if you feel like eating...then EAT!!!!! don't ever feel deprived.
Boiled eggs are a good snack also along with tons of other kinds of snacks you can have. I kind of went heavy on the protein the first few days and it really helped with "the flu".

Yup! agreed. I just finished phase one and beans really helped. Try the black bean brownie recipe under the recipe section That got me through the 2nd-3rd days!

I didn't feel well either and got a headache. I guess that is common. I'm on day 17 now and I feel great!

I had some beans in my salad today. I think it helped. But no on the milk, I just don't like milk so I don't drink it.

How much was the SB diet? I am currently in LA Weightloss. I am not doing well there. My counselor is young and is so into her own world she does a lousy job. She is always talking to the other people that work there while I am there to talk to her. I asked her why I was having to eat so much and why it wasn't working to well. She just said "It's your weightloss babe, you must be doing something wrong". YA HELLO!! She just wants to get you in and out of there asap so she can go back to her friends. I paid 700.00 to go there because they promised to help me and talk to me and help me through it. I mean they should at least take 10 min. to see if you are having a good or bad week. I am in and out in about 3 minutes. I feel so ripped off. But what can I do. Maybe I just got a bad worker but I haven't been back and I really want to go. It is so depressing. I know I can do it with a little possitive support (that was promised). She is a sweet girl but just not for me. I just might change to the SB diet myself.

South Beach -- the plan and the methodology -- isn't expensive. I got the book, used, on amazon.com for less than five dollars (used).

I have an old book but my library has a copy of the newer one so I'm getting that. If you buy the book new, it might be $20, buy it used cheaper, use the library its free.

plain fat free yogurt mixed with jello powder would be better than no dairy....

I've been mixing the plain, non fat yogurt with cocoa powder, vanilla, and splenda to make "pudding" - I hope that 's ok! It sure is good.