Hi, Chickies - I'm a newbie to 3 Fat Chicks, have mostly been on the WW forums so far, since I've done WW off and on for several years. I like WW because I think it is very healthy, but lately, I find I am just plain tired of measuring everything (and if I don't measure, my portion sizes go up fast!), and I've also done WW Core, but tired of the restrictive allowed foods list. \

I'm considering switching to South Beach Diet, and I'm looking for feedback from folks who are following SBD who also have tried WW - are you finding SBD easier to follow than WW, are you losing more weight on SBD, how do you feel these plans compare, etc.

I need to lose about 30 lbs, and so does my dear hubby, but he will not follow a regimented plan - would probably work if I just cook differently so he's eating differently without making a big deal out of it. I think he'd be open to choosing appropriate snacks, but I don't think he would follow many rules on his own. So another question is, are any of you doing SBD with your hubbies, and how's that working?

Thanks!!
Sue in Texas

Sue! Several of the chickies here are doing a combination of both South Beach Diet and Weight Watchers successfully. Just follow the South Beach principles and count your points, and it works just fine. I'm sure one of our "combo Beachers" will see this thread and let you know just how it is working for them.

Hi Sue! I'll try to give you the best input I can.

I do a combination of WW and SBD Ph2. I started with SBD Ph1 to detox, then went into Ph2 and count points as I go. I found that without the discipline of WW, I would just keep eating and not lose any weight. Occasionally I let myself have a "treat" that's not SBD approved, but I only do it because personally, I know that if I don't, I'm going to binge and sabotage myself.

That's just my input. I think both ways of eating are good, but Ph2 foods are things that are healthier to put in your body than, say, using all your points in a day to eat chocolate cake. SBD taught me the importance of getting all my veggies, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, etc. That's why I combined them both.

Don't know if that helps at all.... and my significant other is one of those that can eat anything he wants and lose weight, and then complain about how skinny he is, so I can't help you on the couples part.

Good luck to you, in whatever you decide!

Lisa

Hehe hi Cottage

oh me me me.... my turn..

hi.

timeline for me:
may 2006 so fat i could not turn over in bed without being winded. went on south beach diet
over the next 2 years I lost 70 pounds
august 2008 realized i was indulging in too many beachy foods so i added WW points counting (and going to meetings... love the E-tools)

so after a long stall adding the counting of points jump started my weight loss again and in 5 weeks I've lost 8.6 pounds...

i think eating core foods but counting points is a GREAT thing.

If you want to lose weight, either one will work but only if you are willing to put forth the effort. Weighing and measuring food until you get used to the size of a portion is really the best way. There will be foods that have to be limited, but let's face it - WW Core or SBD are very similar and very much what it takes to be healthy. Limiting simple carbs, fats, and eating more fruits and veggies never hurt anyone. I haven't found WWCore or SBD to be limiting in food choices and now that I've learned to eat healthy, I can't stand the other stuff anymore - it tastes terrible. Good luck in whatever you chose to do.

I've done both diets. I did WW Core since last Oct and switched to SBD the beginning of September. Both are excellent choices. I found I was starting to eat junk foods like FF Pringles, Subway and Taco Bell. My weight loss was stalling. I missed eating nuts and peanut butter, so decided to read my South Beach Diet book again and made the switch. I LOVE eating healthy foods, so to me this isn't a diet. I never feel deprived.

I have medical issues and since I went back to SB, my cholesterol is finally under control. I no longer need my diuretic for my BP. It wasn't happening on WW, and I truly believe the SBD works.

Weezle, I'm curious, did a WW leader tell you it was okay to eat all your points in chocolate cake? In my meetings, we are drilled constantly in the Healthy Eating Guidelines. I know that SB follows those principles as well. I don't think any one food should be someone's entire daily calorie content, whether it be cake, or beans, or fish, etc.
That was not a rant by the way!!! I think SB and WW are both wonderful, healthy, do-able and EFFECTIVE eating plans when done correctly. I was just wondering if a WW leader told you that, because if so, I'm so sorry!
Although, I admit, there has been days when I have contemplated eating all my points in chips, but that's another thread, ha ha!
Again, this was not meant as a mean reply, so please no one grump at me I was just wondering...

I read weezle's comment as just the opposite - she was emphasising the fact that selecting SB P2 foods are healthier than simply using all your WW points on chocolate cake, I didn't think she was advocating doing so.
Maybe I read it wrong but I do know that's one of the issues some people have with WW - they use their points up on unhealthy foods, whereas the great benefit of South Beach is making very healthy food choices.

i do not think that eating SBD foods means you can't do weight watchers.

i see folks posting that they did ONE or the OTHER... I"m doing BOTH....

The difference between the two is SB teaches nutrition... If your to do one OR the other, SB would be a better choice... but nothing wrong with doubling up on them as some of the girls are doing .

That's it exactly. I know when I first did WW I had no clue about nutrition - so my points would be used up on junk food. Which of course left me hungry too because I didn't get much food for my points
That was before WW brought in the Core option.
Doubling up seems to be working well for quite a few of our SB'ers here - including some maintainers.
It's certainly something I'd consider trying in the future.

The core plan definitely is better, but, SB teaches even more than the core plan nutrition wise! (JMHO)

oh Lori I"m not so sure that WW doesn't ENCOURAGE healthy eating... I think they just take into consideration that many folks don't always eat exactly the way they would like folks to eat.

I know that the healthy eating stuff is gone over at my meetings and that the breakdowns of healthy foods is explained... and on e-tools you have to click off so many veggies, so much water and so many healthy oils before you get your smiliey faces....

Thanks, everyone - I'm still undecided, but the point that I will need to monitor (and yes, sigh, probably measure) portions so I'm not eating too much food regardless of which plan I'm on points to my real issue, which is portion control. I'll read a bit more about SB and compare it to Core again, not sure which way I'm heading. And I like the combo idea - I do know people who have been successful doing combo WW - eating Core but counting points too.

Thanks, Sue