South Beach Diet

angelwings0110

I started Phase I today. If anyone else has done or is doing south beach, any suggestions or pointers are greatly appreciated.

rosebette

My husband did South Beach about 5 years ago, starting with Phase 1 and lost 18 lbs. in less than 6 weeks. He's diabetic, so it worked very well for him. He gained the weight back, though, when he went back to eating "normally" (i.e., too many carbs). However, I couldn't stay with Phase 1 because I became dizzy and lightheaded without any carbs, so I started with Phase II, and lost gradually about 1 lb. a week. I ultimately lost 20 lbs. over 6 months and was able to keep 15 of it off. Now, I'm trying to lose 10 to 12 more, just logging calories, but I basically follow a Phase II type strategy, which is having some complex carbs. I find that if you work out, you need some carbs, and Phase II works just fine.

angelwings0110

Thanks so much. My husband was just diagnosed with Diabetes and has heart issues. So it was the best diet that his doctor recommended to help both of those problems. So since he is doing it so will I. I had already started to cut back on carbs the last month since he had been dignosed with diabetes. So I hope I do not have any issues with the dizziness etc. Thanks so much for the info. Do you have any favorite 'easy" recipes or snacks that you would recommend?

Athijade

Honestly... it is just another way to restrict calories. Just like any other diet plan. So for weight loss, it really isn't any better or any worse.

For diabetics you should really speak to a nutritionist that specializes in their diet.

angelwings0110

Diabetic Diatician is the one that recommended the diet for my husband. I work for a doctor and he strongly recommend it for our patients as well.

verptwerp

Hi, there !

Six years ago I was 50 lbs overweight and miserable. Just been diagnosed pre-diabetic & needed meds. One day I opened the original SB book & thought "why not" ..... following the basic guidelines, I lost 10 lbs easily. Didn't miss any foods on Phase 1 ...... but when I began to add foods back on P2, it was a real eye-opener. Some foods affected me badly with cravings, so I learned to stay away.

After awhile, I joined the online group ...... what a great bunch of people ! Started walking each day & joined exercise challenges. Had a terrific time, and over that next year I lost another 30 lbs. Felt better, more confidence & my doctor took me off the meds !

Several years ago SB had major website problems, so I gave up the membership. Happily I stayed in contact with my little group of SB peeps ...... in fact, we still encourage each other to this day ...... they've encouraged me to join a gym and to join MFP ..... both were great ideas & I thank God every day that I took their advice !

I went from 195 lbs down to 155 lbs ...... sometimes even dipping down to 150 lbs ..... I gave up eating the huge amounts of sugary/carby stuff ..... am much more choosy about my treats. And I'm here working on the next stage of my life. My pals encourage me to focus on exercise & continuing to eat right. My next goal is to get below 150 lbs permanently ! I still eat "beachy", but now I calorie count ..... it helps me stay on track. And I eat back most of my exercise calories, earned from cardio & lifting weights :drinker:

Best of luck ...... whatever works for you, keep doing it ...... and feel free to friend me !

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Edited to add that my husband lost 35 lbs just by eating what I give him ..... his doctor is loving it, and so am I

angelwings0110

Thanks so much for the advise. Sent a friends request.

AwesomeGuy37

Diabetic Diatician is the one that recommended the diet for my husband. I work for a doctor and he strongly recommend it for our patients as well.

I feel the doctor took an easy, all grounds covered, way out instead of getting your husband in the correct mindset for losing weight and controlling his blood sugar levels.
Sure South Beach will work for weight loss (if you are at a calorie deficit). ..and yes it will control blood sugar (if you restrict carbs). Those are fact.
I think when you have to ask for advice through the phases, then you don't really grasp the natural way to do these things.
This doctor should set guidelines for your husband; that is their job. I do worry they put your husband on something too strict that will invite fail. I hope I'm wrong about that.

dawnsmithjacobs

I was so frustrated about yo-yoing all my very active life and never feeling really in control of my weight. After some pretty heavy times, I got up to 265 and finally had gastric bypass surgery 7 years ago. For me it was the best thing at the time and I lost 100 pounds. After getting married and living "happily ever after" I gained 40 back! So now I'm following a "beachy" diet with weight lifting, CURVES and walking program. Have lost 12 pounds in just under 2 months. I'm 62 as of 2/23 and loving this "new lease on life". Thank you God!