I have been on South Beach since January, I have only lost 7 pounds, I have messed up on certain occasions, I have always gotten back on track though at the very latest, the very next day. I keep losing and gaining the same 2 pounds these last few weeks. Even when I am good for an entire week, the scale is not budging past 239. I don't know what to do, I'm getting very discouraged and am actually thinking about trying another diet plan, something to jump start my system or at least shock it.

I know this is a pretty common problem, what I don't know is how to get past it. Can anyone that's been through this give me some advice please?

To the big losers out there, what kept you motivated, are there any secrets you can share?

I think I qualify as a big loser, but we do have Charles78 around here . . . Anyways, I have a question for you. Do you enjoy South Beach? If you don't, you should really consider changing plans. I've tried all sorts of diets, and the one I go back to, is the one that I like the most and I know I can live with for the rest of my life. I've also noticed when I'm on my most enjoyable plan, it's easier to stick with it and I have less cheats. So, my advice to you is find a plan that incorporates feasible changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. Or do what I did: read 20 books on nutrition and diet and come up with your own plan. That's what I've done and have been the most successful at it.

The reasons behind my journey have kept me motivated. Keep reminding yourself WHY you are doing this, and that will help you stay motivated.

I'm not a really big loser but biggish!!!

I can't do diets. I have a very active three year old brat that lives in my head. You know how you tell a three year old that they can't have ice cream for breakfast and they throw a massive tantrum and kick the place down??? I hav eone of them living in my head! The moment it hears "you can't eat this and that until this time or that time" it goes mental.

I looked at South beach, and found it far too restrictive FOR ME!! Now I say this because it's a fab plan and works for some people, but there is no way I could live with it.

And that goes for all the major diets.

So like the previous poster, I have made my own plan, which is calorie controlled, concentrated on whole grains, fruit and veggies and good sources of protein, and a whole lotta exercise.

I would suggest sitting down with a notebook and brainstorming why you think it's not working for you. Is it because the plan isn't enjoyable? Is it time and scheduling? Are you just not ready to face your weight issues? Do you get bored of the food?

I have found brainstorming really helpful to get me over bumps in the road, and believe me, some of the bumps have been more like great gaping cavernous holes, but I always manage to get through them in the end, with a lot of help from the posters here.

I have always been a big advocate of calorie counting. Which basically teaches us portion control. You could probably do what I do without counting but I just find it easier to keep myself in check if I count my calories. I also follow the American Heart Association guidelines for eating. See below for those guidelines. I just don't put much stock in any of the diets out there like South Beach or Atkins or any other named type of diet. I think what does it for most is what we were always taught in school. Eat the 5 food groups and control your portions. They have added a little more to that now but it's pretty close to what we have always knowen. I like plans like weight watchers because they basically do that but I would rather count calories and just do it my own way. I also treat myself once a week to a higher calorie day and have pizza and some dessert. Everything in moderation. Now as far as what keeps me motivated just the fact that I feel better look better and have a better outlook on life. I enjoy taking care of my body now.

* Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose 5 or more servings per day.

* Eat a variety of grain products, including whole grains. Choose 6 or more servings per day.


* Include fat-free and low-fat milk products, fish, legumes (beans), skinless poultry and lean meats.


* Choose fats and oils with 2 grams or less saturated fat per tablespoon, such as liquid and tub margarines, canola oil and olive oil.


* Balance the number of calories you eat with the number you use each day. (To find that number, multiply the number of pounds you weigh now by 15 calories. This represents the average number of calories used in one day if you're moderately active. If you get very little exercise, multiply your weight by 13 instead of 15. Less-active people burn fewer calories.)


* Maintain a level of physical activity that keeps you fit and matches the number of calories you eat. Walk or do other activities for at least 30 minutes on most days. To lose weight, do enough activity to use up more calories than you eat every day.


* Limit your intake of foods high in calories or low in nutrition, including foods like soft drinks and candy that have a lot of sugars.


* Limit foods high in saturated fat, trans fat and/or cholesterol, such as full-fat milk products, fatty meats, tropical oils, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and egg yolks. Instead choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol from the first four points above.


* Eat less than 6 grams of salt (sodium chloride) per day (2,400 milligrams of sodium).


* Have no more than one alcoholic drink per day if you're a woman and no more than two if you're a man. "One drink" means it has no more than 1/2 ounce of pure alcohol. Examples of one drink are 12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1-1/2 oz. of 80-proof spirits or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits.