Remembering why I love the SBD!
 

I lost about 50 lbs on South Beach about 5 years ago. For whatever reason, I fell off the wagon and gained it all back, plus another 20 or so. Since then I have tried every other diet plan out there because I did not want to give up carbs and sweets. Well, I finally came to the conclusion that I have to get this weight off, and I needed to go with the only plan that has worked for me in the past. I started phase one on January 1.

Wow! I now remember so clearly why I loved this plan! I am down 6 lbs in two days (OK, I know alot is water, but hey it is numbers on the scale), I am eating really good, fresh foods, and I am full! I eat a hearty breakfast then go about my day and before I know it, it is lunch time and I am not even really hungry yet! I know snacks are important on this plan, and I eat them when I am hungry, but often snack time sails by without me noticing it! I went to the movies yesterday and did not even blink at passing by the popcorn and candy. I am loving this!

So, I guess I am a convert for life. There is nothing that works for me like this plan. I am coming to terms with the fact that white bread, rice, and pasta are out forever, but I am looking forward to adding some great whole grain products in phase II. I am really looking forward to FRUIT! In fact, I am considering adding back only fruit for a while since I have so much to lose, and I am really not missing the grains terribly right now.

Sorry for the random babbling, but I am just so excited about South Beach and had to share! :carrot:

Welcome back. And congrats on the first 6 pounds gone. Keep up the good work.

I agree! I love SBD also!
 

I lost around 40 with it 4 years ago. I have gained about half of it back. Actually I was able to maintain the weight loss for about 3 years which is the problem with most diets. It seems like I can lose weight with any diet when I set my mind to it, but I always gain it back immediately. To keep it off for 3 years was amazing! I actually felt like that was my normal weight. Stress this past year got me eating everything in sight the past 6 months but I feel in control now too. This is day 7 for me in phase 1 and I feel great! Pants are not killing me as much as they were a week ago. :D
I'm so excited to find this message board also!

hello!
 

Hey everyone! I'm new to this forum. I just went out and bought all the items for phase one. I had much success with SBD after doing it years ago but like everyone else i had gained it back and then some :(

So here i am again. I am about 155 pounds, and i need to lose about 20 pounds. The 130's are definitely my "happy weight", as i am only 5'6".

Looking for some support from you all who are also doing it! Let's keep each other motivated..

Happy New Year!
:carrot:

:welcome: to The Beach! We look forward to getting to know all of you better and good luck!

Welcome to all you newbies. There are a lot of us loyal South Beachers here! You'll get a lot of support here. The FAQ's & recipes here are a godsend. Congrats Hello Nurse! You're off to a wonderful start! :welcome2:

:welcome2: back to most of you!

HelloNurse: I am the same way. I went looking around for an easier way to do it and I can't find a plan that I can maintain so easily. The SB WOL makes me happy and it's easiest for me to commit to.

I'm loving SB. I was on WW for a while and yes I lost weight but I gained it all back and became obsessed with counting points. Today I noticed something that never happened for me while on WW ... not only do I not have regular cravings but my appetite has greatly diminished. It seems like I was always hungry on WW, or at least thinking about my next meal, but not on SB :)

hey i am new to the beach too ( and this website) ... i started phase 1 january first as well.. CONGRATS on the 6lbs!! i love reading everyones posts and seeing their success because it motivates me to do better!
hello nurse - GREAT JOB!! keep up the great work

question- yesterday i made grilled chicken with a marinade that has 4g of sugar (per serving and i used 2 servings for an entire packet of chicken) in it, is this a no-no on phase 1?

Newbie
 

I am also new to SBD...I have felt better on this diet than I have in a while! I started a few days before New Years. I have a question... I didn't see lowfat cottage cheese on the list of Phase 1 foods. Is that allowable or not???

yes, cottage cheese is allowed. It's listed in a few of the "snack" options in that actual meal plan. i like to eat the cottage cheese with almonds. :)

Cottage cheese and almonds? Gotta try that! Sounds like a good snack. Also cottage cheese and cinnamon is another idea to try.

Good luck Hello Nurse! You're doing great.

Thanks for the support, everyone! Newyearnewme2010, 4 gm per serving is an awful lot, IMO. Read the ingredients, if it has added sugar, high fructose corn syrup or other sugary by products, it is a no-no for SBD. Don't stress about little mistakes like that, I am sure most of us have made them. Just keep going and reading labels and you will be great!

Carb addict
 

I have also tried WW and can do well, but my downfall is definitely carbs. Quitting carbs is like quitting smoking; once you get past the first few days, it seems to get a bit easier. I just started Phase one today. I am so glad I accidentally happened upon this site last week. I am looking forward to working together toward our "new year goals."

Down 3 pounds this morning!!! I've never felt like I can stick to something like I do with this! I'm never hungry! Also- I made that dessert that tastes like the chocolate peanut butter cup last night and I can not believe you can have that on Phase 1...it was awesome!

I also did WW and not only found myself becoming obsessed with points (rather than the quality of food) but also eating a lot of junk since you "could" as long as it fit within your points. After struggling for months with WW (losing 3 lbs., gaining it back, losing it again, spending $150 on attending WW at work and then dropping out, feeling badly about myself etc.) I decided to try South Beach. I had done Atkins years ago and found it very easy to just cut out the carbs and not focus on portion sizes, etc., but just eat until I felt satisfied. Of course the carbs came back and so did the weight.

Good morning all, I also did WW several times over the years. I would reach a plateau at around a 20# loss and then regain . I'm very happy with how healthy, and satisfied the Beach fits me and my family . This is day 2 for me on P1. A repeat visit after falling off plan and gaining back 14 #. I am very glad to be back and want to see it thru to my goal this time. Thanks for all the support. Linda

nuts! i knew it probably wouldn't be ok. HA! oh well.. everything else has been by the book, so, i'll just start over i guess! haha.. thanks for the info.

Can someone tell me what that dessert is that tastes like a peanut butter cup, umm, that sounds like heaven to me. :)

litar, are you working out as well? This is only my second day, but i haven't lost anything yet. look forward to seeing the scale move!

Not really/kinda...I tried to do the 30 day shred DVD (phase 1) yesterday but I had to pause it about 3 times and literally thought I would pass out. I am sore today but couldn't make myself do it this morning. I am going to try it again in the am. It has to be the hardest work out I have ever attempted!

oh! i love the shred!!! It was really hard in the beginning for me too! I was on workout one for about 3 weeks, haha.. good luck! you can do it :) "don't phone it in!" :)

Thanks...I was amazed this AM...2nd workout and I was much more successful than day one??? I'm sure I will be on Phase 1 for several weeks!:D

Well, i'm getting a little discouraged. I KNOW i'm very impatient but i just want this weight off! This is the 4th day for me on SBD and i've done it by the book. AND i did the shred last night and i'm only down about a pound! that's NOTHING! I keep telling myself to stick with it, but it's frustrating when nothing happens, there's no reward, you know?

Don't be discouraged...a pound good. I think any loss is a step in the right direction!!!

You have to keep in mind that you only have 20 pounds to lose. Most of us have/had a lot more than that on Phase 1 and that's why we read higher numbers. Remember to drink LOTS of water and keep it up. A pound is a loss in the RIGHT direction! :carrot: Plus, another way to look at it is that you've already lost 5% on your way to your goal!

You both are right. I need to up my water intake for sure. I definitely don't have enough of that. And that's a good way of looking at it! 5% of my weight loss goal :) I like that..

Thanks!

My DH is doing Phase I with me and my results have been better than his...and he is the one who usually drops way more than I do. When we compared notes the only real difference is that I am drowning myself with water, and he drinks only about 4 cups and the rest diet soda. So, I truly believe water makes a ton of difference! Keep up the good work, everyone!

double post, 'puter going wonky, sorry.

Hi everyone! I am also new and determined to do it this time. I weight 103 kg (around 225 pounds I guess) and my first goal is 90 kg. That would be also a lot, but that was the weight I was in College. So, this time I am reinforcing myself to have realistic goals. But really REALISTIC!

I did start kind of South Beach but I do eat some fruit if I am hungry. And I said to myself - its better to have an apple than a burger. I do try and I am sure I will get better by time but at this moment I do not pay attention to portions of meat or other SB food because I think that for first 10 days its important just to take care of cravings and to feel full. That is must for me at the beginning ...and I do drink a lot of water and unsweetened tea. I must say I feel great, more energized even and dont have temptation to eat popcorn at the movies!

And I ate fish after so long time!

Hi, it's been a while since my last post but i have good news.. i'm down 5 pounds.. i hope to continue.. i would love to lose 15 more but i would be ok with just 10! wish me luck!

Oh- and i'm trying to drink more water. You make a good point, b/c i DO drink alot of diet soda.. i just love it, i think b/c its my "sweet" fix.

Thanks for all the continued support!

I had never done it before and I am just amazed!! I have lost 3 in 3 days and its not water because I was dieting before this.

You will do it in no time! I am glad to hear that you are here again!!

Thanks! Can anyone tell me how you can get one of those tickers? And hot to put it on your profile? Seems like a fun lil gadget ;)

Thanks!