Anti-Beach Talk - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

quagmire · 04-29-2005, 11:18 AM

I was bored and looking at Amazon.com's list of bestselling books the other day and saw that the SBD book was still listed there. Just out of curiosity I decided to scan some of the reviews for the book - I figured I'd see some success stories and was curious to see any negative reviews as well.

I thought it was kind of funny what most of the negative comments were comprised of. Really, it could be broken down into two groups:

1. The "The fundamentals of the diet are all wrong, you should be doing this...(insert organic food or high carb solution here)."

and

2. The "I tried it for one (or two) weeks and still had cravings, so this diet is horrible".

The truth is, every diet has its rights and wrongs, and I applaud some of the people that were bright enough to note that no one diet is perfect for everyone. We all have different bodies and we all have to adjust what and how much we eat based on our metabolisms, activity levels, and so on.

As far as those that lacked the will power to make it through phase one (unfortunately my in-laws are included on this one

) that is the entire issue right there. You need to find a way to be happy with the weight loss and be able to gain mental strength from the progress you have made. That is where your discipline will come from. If you can't achieve that, I daresay that you will not succeed at any diet. If you don't have the will to change, you won't.

I like the SBD because it makes sense to me. Eat the right things, avoid the wrong things, and if you screw up, don't worry, go back to the beginning for a bit and start over.

I have succeeded in this diet due to two things:

1. My wife has been awesome and has always been there to carry the diet when I haven't (and vice versa)

and

2. This diet is, in no way, unreasonable. I have found it easy to integrate my diet in the 'outside world' - at restaurants, family parties, etc. I have also become acclimated to the work involved in planning the meals. That was probably the biggest hurdle for me

If you're curious about the reviews for the book/program, go here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...nDate&n=507846

AZLowcarber · 04-29-2005, 11:24 AM

Congrats on your fantastic success!

quagmire · 04-29-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZLowcarber

Congrats on your fantastic success!

Well, luckily this is a 'spare tire' diet, because I had plenty of spares left over from college

OY!

beachgal · 04-29-2005, 11:31 AM

Welcome, Quagmire! Great post and very well-thought arguments. I often hear this one: "I couldn't do SBD because I got so sick of salads!". I often wonder if I read the same book as these people!

Hope you haven't been offended by our constant reference to "chicks"...didn't realize there was a rooster here too!

Hope you feel welcome. It's nice to get a male perspective.

Jennifer and Suzanne, the ones who run this site, often say that the diet doesn't matter...that any diet works as long as you restrict calories and move more. I think they may have a point. For me, SBD works better than just restricting calories because the lack of sugar and simple carbs keeps me from craving. That makes it much easier for me to stick with the plan.

As for people who think SBD isn't healthy, I doubt they've read the book. The new food pyramids look suspiciously like SBD as does WW's Core program. A lot of people are starting to realize that SBD (and Sugarbusters) are on to something very smart and very healthy.

Hope we'll see you in the Daily!

Bamiegurl · 04-29-2005, 11:57 AM

Hey thanks for a great post! Welcome aboard!

Sassygal · 04-29-2005, 12:02 PM

I started SBD at the advice of my OB/GYN, so I'm sure it's a perfectly good diet, or a doctor wouldn't be recommending it. I'm supposed to go back to see her in about 2 months to do my blood work again to see if the diet is helping my insulin resistance or not.

I agree that the SBD is one of the easiest to follow. Oh, don't get me wrong - I had some really strong cravings during the first week, but they didn't last longer than that. No, if I have cravings it's only because the food is right in front of me - I don't just get a craving out of the blue, in other words.

Great post - I hope it will help those that are just starting or (like me) have a ways to go!

deb50 · 04-29-2005, 12:26 PM

I couldn't agree more. I have been on the diet almost three weeks and can honestly say that the cravings did not last more than a week. I have not touched a potato chip (or a potato!) for three weeks. Last night my daughter and I went out for coffee. She had a danish and I didn't even care. It's almost weird. After supper I often want something sweet, so I have a sugar-free fudgesicle and that's all I need.

I have tried Weight Watchers and it didn't work for me at all. Too compulsive, I think -- keeping track of every morsel. I tried Weigh Down, and I learned a few things, but it didn't last. SBD has been working for me. I have lost 9 lb, and my husband has lost 16. I agree with Quagmire that spousal support is super important. But I think that even if he moves on to Phase 3, I will be okay on Phase 2. The cravings simply aren't there.

Keep it up, everybody. It's going great.

Deb

Just Beachy · 04-29-2005, 12:36 PM

It's got all the right foods in it so it can't be all bad. I find I eat more on this diet and don't have time or the "want" to snack. When I do once in a while at night I just have one of our treats. I don't think I'm suffering at all. This is my 4th week and I've never stuck to a diet this long before *nods*

beachgal · 04-29-2005, 12:53 PM

Welcome aboard, Deb and Just Beachy! Not sure if I've seen either of you around before this.

I agree...not only did my doctor also recommend this diet to me, but I tried both WW and Weigh Down and though I learned from both of them, I couldn't stick to either. This I have stuck to for over a year now, and I love it.

I still have mental cravings, which I hope to continue working on in OA. But my body no longer physically craves and that makes life SO much easier.

Judynyc · 04-29-2005, 09:58 PM

Great post quagmire!! Congrats to you on your success and fabulous attitude!!

I really do think that having a good attitude about any food plan is half of the battle. If you think you can, you will succeed. If you think you can't...you won't!!

I think I'm going to go write my own review over at amazon!!

ellis · 04-30-2005, 11:20 AM

Great post, Quagmire! Thank you!

And congratulations on your success!

Reg4242 · 04-30-2005, 01:43 PM

Hi:
I am a new comer to the beach and am so happy I found my way.I am thrilled to not be hungry.
The cycle of stressing over food & then being hungry soon after is one I am never going back to. I am glad to have found a solution to a lifelong struggle.

ellis · 05-01-2005, 07:11 AM

Gina, welcome to the Beach!

It IS a wonderful feeling not to be hungry!

beachgal · 05-02-2005, 10:54 AM

Gina, welcome! If you haven't already, post an introduction thread so we can all get to know you better. And feel free to join us in the Daily thread...it's the one with the name of the day in the title.

Sunnybunny · 05-02-2005, 12:15 PM

I agree with everything on here. I too did Weight Watchers and Weigh Down and Tops, and Herbal Life and Slim Fast, and starving myself...on and on and on...

I lost on all these diets but that's just it---they were diets!!!!

I can honestly say that I will never ever have potatoes, rice, white bread and pasta in my diet---ever again!

Why? Because the are harmful and really yucky!

Also, my DH doesn't need to lose an ounce and he is really enjoying the way we are eating. He has even started looking at labels and leaving the things behind that aren't a healthy balance.

South Beach is a revolution--A lifestyle and my saving grace!