Hi~
I'm new here, but I've been an off and on reader of this forum. Reading the threads gives me so much motivation , so I'm happy to join you guys as a member!!

I started my journey mid July 2012, and I have lost 17 pounds so far! Although I was actually a fairly healthy weight, I have always looked chubby. I decided to go on a diet after looking at photos of myself at my relative's wedding, and from then on commited to lose weight until I am happy. My ultimate goal is to be around 110lbs - 113lbs, but that is relative to change if I feel I am happy when I reach my mini goals. I'm actually only a 2nd year university student, but I have never been thin. I'm actually doing the South Beach Diet, but I think I've stayed on Phase 1 for too long and I should really move on, but kind of scared to do so.. so I've been reading the forums a lot because of that.

Anyways, thanks for reading this, and it would be uber helpful if you had any tips

sorry for asking but what is the south beach diet about?

South Beach Diet is like a friendlier version of the Atkin's Diet (The no-carb diet), and it's a book by Dr. Arthur Agatston.

It's trying to create a lifestyle change, not just a diet and it contains 3 phases. "Good carbs" are allowed such as the ones found in veggies, whole wheat etc.. But South Beach dieters must say goodbye to potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots, and corn for the first two weeks (Phase 1). After that, some of these foods remain strongly discouraged. This is to get rid of cravings for it later on, of course when you move on, you can still indulge, but not so much in the overly processed ones. He claims that within the first two weeks you'll lose about 8-15 lbs to jump start your weight loss. (But that varies, dependent on how much you weigh when you first start, less if you're not overly overweight). Phase 2, you're re-introduced to some carbs (not all) and fruit, and you stay on this phase until you reach your goal weight, the weight loss is slower during this phase though. There's also a list of foods to avoid during this phase as well, but less restrictive than the first phase. Then lastly is Phase 3, which is what you should be following after you've reached your goal as a lifestyle change. It's a diet for life. Eat normal foods in normal portions, following a few basic guidelines.

The South Beach Diet bans unhealthy fats, but strongly promotes healthy ones. It doesn't count grams of carbs, but encourages dieters to go for low-sugar carbs, or those with a low glycemic index (they don't cause the blood sugar levels to rise and fall as quickly).

So far, it's been really effective! So effective that I don't want to move from phase 1... which I should really move on from, it's just not possible to totally live without carbs

Wow
I am proud of you for doing such diet...
I can not live without bread, potatoes, fruit, cereal, rice... and on.
Good job!
and Good luck to your continued journey!!!

Thanks so much!! But I'm not that dedicated haha (super hard cause I'm asian.. I want my riceee), I will cheat some days, but I think it's cause I have been on phase one for too long that the weight doesn't come back even if i cheat a few days!

Thanks for the welcome ^^
Reading this forum keeps my mind off food haha, the threads are really interesting