Today is my first day on the beach. I'd like to introduce myself.

My name is Tina. I'm a full time teacher's aide and a part time college student. I've been heavy most of my life and am ready to make a change. Today is day one of the south beach for me. Here is my menu:

Breakfast
1egg
cheese
v8

AM Snack
Nuts

Lunch
2 leaves lettuce
2 slice ham
1 slice swiss
tomatoe chopped
water

PM snack
Cheese

Dinner
Split pea soup.

Tina! We're happy to have you joining us on the Beach!

Your menu looks pretty good, but are you getting enough veggies? You should be eating a minimum of 4 1/2 cups every day, and including some dairy each day, too, since cheese doesn't count towards your dairy allotment. Eating dairy and beans will also help you feel more satisfied and keep the blahs away, too.

Hey Tina!!!

I agree with Cottage...sounds like you are off to a great start (and you'll LOVE this way of eating!)

This may sound strange, but I'd consider eating MORE so you don't get hungry and end up blowing it. (I would!) For instance, add some turkey bacon to your breakfast, add some yogurt to those nuts for the morning snack. Instead of just a couple of lettuce leaves for lunch, add a whole bowl full of those bad boys and add some more vegs, like cucumbers, raw squash or even leftover cooked vegs from dinner the night before, and beans too! And add another veg to the soup for dinner. Just don't let yourself get hungry and you'll do just great!

This is just me, but my afternoon snack is usually an iced coffee made with a glass of skim milk...it's filling, I get my milk in and it gives me a zing to get through the rest of the day.

:welcome to The Beach!

"two leaves" of lettuce. You definitely need more veggies. I use at least two cups of greens and try to use healthier ones like spinach, mache, romaine and even bok choy.

Welcome Tina, you have come to the right place for support and to get your questions answered! You will love this group! I have also found that coming here daily is and insperation and a way of keeping yourself honest with what you are doing! Good Luck!

Welcome to the Beach Tina! I wish you success! Your menu looks good, if a little skimpy. I didn't add up calories, but I would bet that it's pretty low. Make sure you eat enough, there's no need to go hungry, particularly in PhI when you are also dealing with your "detox". I second the other chicks, veggies, dairy, beans, etc. I have an iced latte most afternoons too Cat, although I'm thinking about losing the ice now that it's getting cool. Or sometimes I'll substitute a diet hot cocoa after dinner.

Welcome and GOOD LUCK! I have the worst sweet tooth so I would add some Sugar Free Jello and Diet Rite to that but it looks good. Throw in some more cheese or my favorite snack...fat free vegetarian refried beans with low fat cheese and HOT sause! Fills me up for hours.

Tina!

I totally second what the other chicks have said--add more food to that menu, friend! I know that seems counterintuitive, but eating less than 1200 cals a day not only makes your body think you're starving (and it'll cling to that fat like nobody's business...) but you'll feel deprived and find yourself bingeing before you know it. You're never supposed to be hungry on South Beach...and eating lots of veggies, good lean protein, healthy fats, and lots of fiber should make that easy.

Check out this thread for some info about veggies (and making healthier salads): Best Veggies to Eat

Glad to have you with us! You're on your way to a much healthier and happier way of living!

Hey ladies. Sorry I havent been back. Between work and school this is the first chance I've had. I did add veggies to that day as well as the others. I snack when I'm hungry, but on things like cheese and veggies. I've actually not felt hungry. There have been temptations, but I've fought them. I was joking with a lady I work with yesterday because I was telling her that I drive by a Bojangles every morning on the way to work and I swear that yesterday was the first time i smelled biscuits LOL. I told her I was gonna go through the drive through and just lick the top of one LOL. Or ask them to just smell one. LOL Well I'm off to get some work done and relax. ROUGH day!! Everyone have a good evening