Is the South Beach Diet a good idea?

Just curious if you kept off the weight.

who are you asking?

I lost 35 lbs on SB in 2003. Since then, I gained back the 35 lbs, plus another 20 lbs. The first two weeks are very restrictive, after that, it was better. The problem is, as with all diets, and I've done them all, you are dieting and not changing your ways. Which makes it a doomed to fail prospect for most people.

It is meant to be about transforming your diet, as in your eating habits.

My partner's diet would be a good example of phase three as general healthy living for someone whose only weight concern has ever been being borderline underweight. He chose those way of eating as a means of combatting the four o'clock slump at work and has been eating this way for two years.

I, on the other hand, spent part of that time stopping at McDs for lunch while eating healthy at home.

No

In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.

Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)

^ this...

everyone is always trying the chicken diet, or the this diet, or that diet and they lose like 10 pounds and then gain it back. Why? Because they did not make the right lifestyle changes to have long term gains. Eat in a deficit, work out, and watch macros...you will lose weight and keep it off...

The south beach diet just wants you to spend money on all their bars, shakes, and other crap ....

Everyone on here is on a diet. Some just have names.

In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.

Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)

^ this...

everyone is always trying the chicken diet, or the this diet, or that diet and they lose like 10 pounds and then gain it back. Why? Because they did not make the right lifestyle changes to have long term gains. Eat in a deficit, work out, and watch macros...you will lose weight and keep it off...

The south beach diet just wants you to spend money on all their bars, shakes, and other crap ....

Everyone on here is on a diet. Some just have names.

I think the point is that everyone is looking for some "quick diet" that is going to magically erase five years of bad eating in a month and that is not going to happen..it took five years to get out of shape/fat and it is going to take more than one month to get back in shape and melt off the excess...

I am not on a diet..I just eat up to my macros, eat in deficit, and lift....what diet is that?

Hmm, that has no resemblance to the south beach diet. Have you read anything about it?

No

why?

Cause it has the word diet in it.

A good idea is a permanent lifestyle change. That won't have a name (unless you give it one) and its something you follow for the rest of your life.

Another good idea is to work your a-- off, train hard and lift heavy. Your body will thank you for doing that and not following anything with the word diet in it.

YOU are on a diet. Everyone here is on a diet. body builders are on a diet....

In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.

Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)

^ this...

everyone is always trying the chicken diet, or the this diet, or that diet and they lose like 10 pounds and then gain it back. Why? Because they did not make the right lifestyle changes to have long term gains. Eat in a deficit, work out, and watch macros...you will lose weight and keep it off...

The south beach diet just wants you to spend money on all their bars, shakes, and other crap ....

Everyone on here is on a diet. Some just have names.

I think the point is that everyone is looking for some "quick diet" that is going to magically erase five years of bad eating in a month and that is not going to happen..it took five years to get out of shape/fat and it is going to take more than one month to get back in shape and melt off the excess...

I am not on a diet..I just eat up to my macros, eat in deficit, and lift....what diet is that?

ziiiiing

sounds like a diet to me. a calorie counting diet of yore.
some folks count calories (you)
some folks count grams of fat.
some folks count fast carbs (sb)
some folks count carbs (atkins)
It's all a diet.
The key is finding an approach that works for you. IN THE LONG TERM.

In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.

Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)

^ this...

everyone is always trying the chicken diet, or the this diet, or that diet and they lose like 10 pounds and then gain it back. Why? Because they did not make the right lifestyle changes to have long term gains. Eat in a deficit, work out, and watch macros...you will lose weight and keep it off...

The south beach diet just wants you to spend money on all their bars, shakes, and other crap ....

Actually, most of their crap doesn't fit with the principles of the diet itself: too much sugar, not enough whole grains.

I personally lost 60 pounds using the south beach plan, and I love it. I have maintained for over 3 years now and I love all the principle that the books taught me. The first week I lost a lot too, but it slows down and becomes more reasonable after that first phase. encourage your friend! It's a very healthy way of living.

I'm thinking that SBD is too carb restrictive for me after trying it for a few days. I have felt sick on it the entire time. I have dropped 5 lbs (pretty much fluid) in trying it, but I've been so sick, weak & had a migraine since Saturday that this morning I had some carbohydrates with breakfast.

I'm going to try & maybe just modify my eating so that I'm eating only healthy carbs & always with a protein when I eat them. I have to have enough energy to exercise.

I think if I were you I would just go to phase 2 where you add in one carb and one fruit a day. but still eat lots of veggies.

Right, in phase 1 you eat tons of vegetables, but in phase two you start by adding some grains (bread etc) and some fruit.

South Beach Diet IS a lifestyle change. Just because the name contains the word "diet" doesn't make it bad. A small bit of research on your part (and a lot less assumption) would've made that clear.

No

why?

Sabine_Stroeh, either you're far too ambitious to guide the lost souls out here on MFP, or you seriously need to consider a new hobby or something.

Regardless, you're trying to correct stubborness, and all they'll do is drag you down to their level of stupidity and then beat you to death with experience.

The reason I ultimately didn't go with South Beach and why I ultimately quit Atkins is that behind the root of it all is a sales pitch. "Eat healthy and live healthy and follow these guidelines and OH HEY BY THE WAY buy our stuff!!!" It's at that point that I have to question the "science" and "strategies" and see it as little more than a marketing sales pitch.

Now, that's not to say people haven't been successful with it - obviously there are three pages of posts (amidst Sabine's desperate cries for attention) where some people have claimed success, either currently or in the past. I actually know someone personally who succeeded on the South Beach Diet.

Personally, I've realized that I can succeed without guidelines. Well, I say that - I'm letting MFP guide my suggested caloric intakes... But at least it's not trying to sell me anything... ...well, except Nike fuel bands or FitBits or, hmm what's this - something about "Zappos.com"... Anyhoo...

I think the general consesus (from those who actually have some common sense) is that it can work if you follow the guidelines. The sickness you're feeling by the way is akin to drug withdrawal, and in many instances is a placebo affect. When I dropped carbs on Atkins, I had no adverse side effects. My wife however lasted about 2 days and then ran for the bread bag like a character from "Half Baked". Just know that SBD does not equal "instant success." It'll be just as hard as counting calories on MFP.

Good luck.

In my opinion if it has the word "diet" in it... it isn't good.

Stick to your cal deficit and watch what you eat. It's a lifestyle change, not a diet to drop a few (and gain back!)

^ this...

everyone is always trying the chicken diet, or the this diet, or that diet and they lose like 10 pounds and then gain it back. Why? Because they did not make the right lifestyle changes to have long term gains. Eat in a deficit, work out, and watch macros...you will lose weight and keep it off...

The south beach diet just wants you to spend money on all their bars, shakes, and other crap ....

Actually, most of their crap doesn't fit with the principles of the diet itself: too much sugar, not enough whole grains.

I've never bought nor have I eaten a SBD product. I follow the principles of the plan. I'm not "dieting"....I'm living & making healthier food choices. And isn't that exactly what you're doing?

You know what - I'd always just assumed this was another fad diet ala Adkins that was unsafe/unhealthy/etc because I never felt like it was worth looking into, and thus I was ignorant about it. But thanks to this thread, I did a little research, and turns out that it's a pretty awesome approach to eating!

The only thing is that it's a brilliant piece of marketing, because it slapped a name on the diet I already do on my own - only good carbs and good fats, etc. Is there anything else about it that makes it "unique"?

Also, I'd avoid the SBD brand foods for the simple reason that they're all made by Kraft Foods (ie: heavily processed), but overall I'm glad I learned something new today.

Rock on South Beachers!