Well, I'm one of those people who LOVED the Atkins Diet. WHen it first came out in the 70s and I was in my 30s I lost about 100 lb on it and felt wonderful. I'd never had so much energy in my life and I no longer had mood swings that took me from Cloud 9 to the depths of dispair. I just wish I'd never let the nay-sayers get to me and got me eating low fat again. Of course, I gained all my weight back plus more. Now I find that I just can't lose weight on Atkins, probably because of the prescriptions meds I'm on. I have over 100 lb to lose. Last year I lost 30 on Weight Watchers (what a long, difficult struggle it was too! I was hungry all the time and all I thought about was food!) Anyhow, I've since gained back about 10 and I've been yo-yoing for the past 9 months. I switched to South Beach because it's so similar to the Atkins plan but goes lighter on the fatty foods.
Somebody asked if you can substitute foods on the South Beach Plan. Well, of course you can! The author seems like a very reasonable person and doesn't seem like the type of guy who would tell you to eat fish if you hate fish. Why not substitute chicken or turkey? If the book's menu plan calls for brocolli but you hate brocolli, why not have asparagus instead? Or cabbage? Or green beans? I think he just wants you to avoid the foods higher in fat, starch and sugar such as potatoes, rice and fatty meats. I have to confess that I'm going to be cheating a bit this weekend. I have some lean turkey thighs in the freezer that I'm going to cook. I will just cut down on fat from another area of my menu. I don't believe in nit-picking and common sense should rule any diet.
Somebody else asked how much carbohydrate should be reintroduced to the diet in Phase 2. In Prevention Magazine he says "Here's where you begin to gradually reintroduce certain healthy carbs into your diet: fruit, sweet potatoes, whole grain bread, whole grain rice, whole wheat pasta. I recommend that you start with one piece of fruit a day for lunch or dinner and continue with some cereal or a piece of bread. Weight loss will slow a little. Stay on this phase until you hit your target weight. If you regain some weight, switch back to Phase 1 until you lose what you've gained, and get back on track."
He goes on to say "Focus on adding low-GI foods (apples, berries, grapefruit, high-fiber cereal, whole grain breads) to your diet instead of those with a high GI (cakes, cookies, crackers, pasta, white bread). For a list of low-GI foods, go to
www.prevention.com/links.
The goal is to eat more carbs again while continuing to lose weight. If you add an apple and a slice of bread a day, and you're still dropping pounds, that's great. If you try an apple, two slices of bread, and a banana daily and notice that your weight loss has stalled, you've gone too far. Cut back, or try some different carbs.
You'll go on that cautious way as long as you're in Phase 2, eating the most beneficial carbs and paying attention to how they affect you. You should also be aware of foods that increase cravings. No two people will experience this phase the same way. Some dieters can have pasta once a week with no detrimental effects. Others have to avoid pasta but can eat sweet potatoes. You'll have to figure this dynamic out for yourself"
So, my friends, one small step at a time. Don't add in a whole bunch of high carb foods all at once.
) I love carbs so this is going to be hard for me but I really need to do something already. I don't have a whole lot to lose 15 - 20 pounds but by the sounds of things about this diet is that you lose quickly the first two weeks. I think this is enough motivation for me to keep going with it (even though alot of it I'm sure is water weight and not actually "fat" weight! I did have a question about the book though. Once you get into Phase 2 and start re-introducing your carbs he doesn't really say how much. How many portions or grams?? Do you just reintroduce enough carbs to maintain your weight loss? I certainly don't want to reintroduce too many carbs because I will be right back to where I started - addicted to carbs!!! By the way, HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!
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