[MandyTy27]

Hi everyone! I'm pretty new around 3FC.

I've been following the Dukan plan for the past 5 months. I'm down 35lbs but the last couple months have been a struggle and I'm reaching the point where the plan just isn't sustainable for me. I'm thinking about making the transition to South Beach. Has anyone else done that?

Some of the allowed foods in P2 that are off limits on Dukan just don't make sense to me (beans, good grains, all fruits) and I feel more inclined to cheat or abandon the plan completely when I'm feeling food deprivation. The idea that a piece of fruit is bad for me just doesn't work for me.

I don't want to undo my progress so I'm hoping the transition will help. To be honest, P1 for South Beach looks like cake compared to Dukan so I'm hoping to do a month on P1 and then move into P2.

Any advice is welcome. Thank you!!

[cottagebythesea]

I think you'll be pleasantly satisfied with South Beach Diet, MandyTy. This is a healthy lifestyle plan that you can follow the rest of your life without feeling deprived or experiencing cravings for sugary foods. You'll think you aren't on a "diet" at all.

Before you get started, I urge you to Get The Book and read it thoroughly to fully understand the fundamentals of this way of eating. Then, sit down and plan out your menus for the first week or so. Be sure to check out our recipes section here for lots of great ideas and tried-and-true recipes.

Good luck, and we look forward to getting to know you!

[lilmisschattabox]

I tried Dukan for a bit before going off the rails then starting fresh with South Beach. I found Dukan really restricting and just couldn't stick to it.

Since starting South Beach, I've lost about 10lb, I love the food, I'm never hungry and the recipes are so interesting and tasty! It makes it really easy to stay on plan and not cheat. Like Cottage said, get the book, it's really important to understand how the diet works and what's going on in your body, and it helps you to stick to your plan because you understand what eating different foods will do. Good luck and congrats on the 35lb loss so far

[jenne1017]

I have no input or advice to provide except for saying that I'd stick with the time frames given in the book. I personally think a month on Ph1 is too long (and you will probably stall - FYI) but that's just my opinion. Why do you want to be on PH 1 for so long?

[MandyTy27]

I read a thread in the FAQ that said it was ok to extend phase 1 if you had a significant amount to lose? My goal is 100 lost so it seems like 2 weeks wasn't long enough. It could also be that the idea of getting to have things like nuts and beans that aren't allowed at all in Dukan while you're losing just seems too good to be true so it sounds quite easy.

And I don't really mean "easy" because any plan you follow to lose weight is hard work and a process, just easier than what I've been doing so far.