Anyone on the SOUTH BEACH diet?

[amnesiac]

I started Atkins induction last week, then I did some more research and found that the South Beach diet gave more consistent results with a lower attrition rate and fewer potential future heath hazards.

edit: Forgot to mention, bought the book & switched to SBD a few days ago. Much better.

Scaled way back on the carbs and now I feel a hell of a lot better and am 2 lbs lighter. 28 lbs to go.

What I like about the SBD:

- Much less restrictive. Encourages eating of "good" carbs such as whole grains and fruits.
- Lets you cheat / bend rules and still lose weight by proper food combinations/eating habits
- Extremely good for hypoglycemics, diabetics, and heart patients because of blood sugar and cholesterol regulation inherent in the diet.
- No Phase 1 ("induction") period necessary if you have no carb addiction or have a small amount of weight to lose
- At Phase 3 (hit target weight) you can pretty much eat normally.

Instead of inducing ketosis like Atkins, it focuses on controlling the amount and types of carbs you eat and how you eat them (carbs + fats or fiber = slower absorption), meaning you blood sugar levels are balanced and you end up not craving lots of food later.

Diet Review: http://www.dieting-review.com/southbeach.htm

Home page: http://www.southbeachdiet.com

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Go for it. What have you got to lose? If it doesn't work, no big deal. Not like Atkin's where you fart out your soul for Satan.

 

[cliftonite]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Go for it. What have you got to lose? If it doesn't work, no big deal. Not like Atkin's where you fart out your soul for Satan.

haha lol

 

[mflacy]

No, I'm on the TwoWiresThin plan and I've never looked better in my entire life.

 

[Ameesh]

regular exercise and cutting my calories in general has worked very well for me, i suggest you try it.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
regular exercise and cutting my calories in general has worked very well for me, i suggest you try it.

That's the thing. It's not always practical to tabulate your exact food intake. SBD lets you eat until you're full, and with the lack of insulin reaction from carbs, it ends up being a lot less than "normal eating."

ALso, not to mention that it gives your eating habits a structure so you don't end up overeating, eating "bad" foods (did you know that the net effect of a slice of white bread on your blood sugar is identical to a spoonful of table sugar?), etc.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: Ameesh
regular exercise and cutting my calories in general has worked very well for me, i suggest you try it.

That's the thing. It's not always practical to tabulate your exact food intake. SBD lets you eat until you're full, and with the lack of insulin reaction from carbs, it ends up being a lot less than "normal eating."

Just eat what is healthy. It is a fairly simple thing. Stay away from junk food, sweets, chocolate and deserts. Anything else is pretty much fine in moderation. Just don't deep fat fry everything you eat. Add execise and you will lose weight.

You don't have to add count anything. Just eat less if you know you are eating too much and not doing enough exercise.

5 meals for me today (use to eat a lot when training a lot, went to Uni and lived in halls didn't O-Lift or do Gymnastics, only played bball 2x a week and I didn't feel hungry as when I was training. Back home and now I'm back at Uni also and starting to eat more. Hard to eat lots when you are sleeping 8-10hr days lol)

Breakfast: cereal + milk + apple

Snack: Apple

Lunch: Turkey sandwich's home made (2 turkey slices on 2 pieces of white bread, nothing else should really stick some salads in but I was in a rush) and pasta tomtoe sauce and chicken

Snack: Turkey sandwich (same as above) + apple

Dinner: 2 bowls of rice with 3 courses shared (duck and pinapple, pork and green beans, white vegetable of some sort, some fish), Yogurt drink.

Snack: portion of chips + 2 apples

Drink plenty of water throughout the day also.

Koing

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: Ameesh
regular exercise and cutting my calories in general has worked very well for me, i suggest you try it.

ALso, not to mention that it gives your eating habits a structure so you don't end up overeating, eating "bad" foods (did you know that the net effect of a slice of white bread on your blood sugar is identical to a spoonful of table sugar?), etc.

Didn't know that about the white bread but I can afford with the amount of exercise I do + the 4mile round trip commute. Not much of a commute but it is 4miles on the bike that I didn't do before.......

Koing

 

[Entity]

Briggs over at my forum is on it, I think.

http://www.geekfitness.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=160

http://www.geekfitness.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=190

Rob

 

[conjur]

Forums are down, though, Rob.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: conjur
Forums are down, though, Rob.

up for me.

Koing

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: Ameesh
regular exercise and cutting my calories in general has worked very well for me, i suggest you try it.

That's the thing. It's not always practical to tabulate your exact food intake. SBD lets you eat until you're full, and with the lack of insulin reaction from carbs, it ends up being a lot less than "normal eating."

ALso, not to mention that it gives your eating habits a structure so you don't end up overeating, eating "bad" foods (did you know that the net effect of a slice of white bread on your blood sugar is identical to a spoonful of table sugar?), etc.

thats a common misconception about calorie counting, it doesnt have to be exact, just close +/- 10% is still reasonable. as far as eating bad foods and good foods i eat within my calorie limits what will make me not hungry. it works itself out naturally

 

[amnesiac]

(c/p from my reply @ geekfitness):

I've noticed some people's misconceptions about carbohydrates in processed food.

First, carbs don't "make you fat." What refined carbs and sugars do is wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels, causing your insulin levels to rise. In turn, this increases cravings later on making you want to eat more, and high levels of insulin cause your body to retain fat.

By restricting your carb intake to fibrous, hard-to-digest carbs such as whole grains, you are forcing your body to work harder to extract these carbs meaning the net effect on your blood sugar levels is lower (hence the "net carb" term). This is precisely why this diet is excellent for diabetics (if you recall, a couple overweight diabetic people were actually "cured" from this diet), as well as those with high blood cholesterol.

I do my research.

Oh also, in case anyone else is interested, the $25 you spend on the book might be better used getting a $29 membership at the South Beach Diet Website -- there's a very comprehensive forum, support from the Dr. himself and a couple nutritionists, and lots more recipes.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
I started Atkins induction last week, then I did some more research and found that the South Beach diet gave more consistent results with a lower attrition rate and fewer potential future heath hazards.

edit: Forgot to mention, bought the book & switched to SBD a few days ago. Much better.

Scaled way back on the carbs and now I feel a hell of a lot better and am 2 lbs lighter. 28 lbs to go.

What I like about the SBD:

- Much less restrictive. Encourages eating of "good" carbs such as whole grains and fruits.
- Lets you cheat / bend rules and still lose weight by proper food combinations/eating habits
- Extremely good for hypoglycemics, diabetics, and heart patients because of blood sugar and cholesterol regulation inherent in the diet.
- No Phase 1 ("induction") period necessary if you have no carb addiction or have a small amount of weight to lose
- At Phase 3 (hit target weight) you can pretty much eat normally.

Instead of inducing ketosis like Atkins, it focuses on controlling the amount and types of carbs you eat and how you eat them (carbs + fats or fiber = slower absorption), meaning you blood sugar levels are balanced and you end up not craving lots of food later.

Diet Review: http://www.dieting-review.com/southbeach.htm

Home page: http://www.southbeachdiet.com

Sounds much more logical than Atkins. Good luck.

 

[JetsFanatic]

South Park diet???

it is not working for Cartman

 

[ThaPerculator]

I do think its funny how "dumbed down" the book is... basically its geared towards people who are generally the type to do a diet, lose weight, then think they can eat normally again. They should definately go in depth more about the scientific parts of it in the book.

 

[Stark]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: Ameesh
regular exercise and cutting my calories in general has worked very well for me, i suggest you try it.

That's the thing. It's not always practical to tabulate your exact food intake. SBD lets you eat until you're full, and with the lack of insulin reaction from carbs, it ends up being a lot less than "normal eating."

Just eat what is healthy. It is a fairly simple thing. Stay away from junk food, sweets, chocolate and deserts. Anything else is pretty much fine in moderation. Just don't deep fat fry everything you eat. Add execise and you will lose weight.

You don't have to add count anything. Just eat less if you know you are eating too much and not doing enough exercise.

5 meals for me today (use to eat a lot when training a lot, went to Uni and lived in halls didn't O-Lift or do Gymnastics, only played bball 2x a week and I didn't feel hungry as when I was training. Back home and now I'm back at Uni also and starting to eat more. Hard to eat lots when you are sleeping 8-10hr days lol)

Breakfast: cereal (whole grain)+ milk (low fat)+ apple

Snack: Apple (skin and all)

Lunch: Turkey sandwich's home made (2 turkey slices on 2 pieces of white bread, nothing else should really stick some salads in but I was in a rush) and pasta tomtoe sauce and chicken

Snack: Turkey sandwich (same as above) + apple

Dinner: 2 bowls of rice with 3 courses shared (duck and pinapple, pork and green beans, white vegetable of some sort, some fish), Yogurt drink.

Snack: portion of chips + 2 apples

Drink plenty of water throughout the day also.

Koing

I highlighted the things you would have to cut out if you were on SBD and put some modifications (in parentheses).

SBD is the only diet I've ever really been on. I tried just eating less calories and exercising, but that usually meant just skipping breakfast, eating a salad for lunch, and being hungry all day. Screw that. I ended up gaining weight on that plan.

SBD lets you eat plenty of good tasty food and still lose weight. Plus it's easy to understand for non-programmer/techie types.

Here's my menu for this past week:
Breakfast (every day) - Eggs (with jalepenos and cheese) and turkey bacon. Water.

Lunch: Monday - $2.99 4 carne asada taco meal from local carniceria, diet coke (cheat day with corn tortillas)
Tuesday - In N Out 2 cheeseburgers protein style w/grilled onions, water.
Wednesday - Red Robin Ensenada Chicken plate (two seasoned chicken breasts w/salad, ranch dressing, water)
Thursday - Trader Joe's Greek Salad, low carb bar, water

Dinner: Monday - In N Out cheeseburger protein style w/grilled onions, water
Tuesday - Markety Broiler halibut and steak, veggies, salad, iced tea, no sugar added fudgesicle
Wedneday - Steak (Foreman grill for 3:30 = medium rare), salad, water, no sugar added fudgesicle
Thursday - Steak, veggies, sugar free popsicle (tropical flavor)

Snacks: nuts

Exercise: Sunday - 14 mile mtn bike ride in Big Bear (rode up the mtn instead of chairlift)
Wednesday - 17 mile mtn bike ride with local club

lost 2 pounds so far this week.

This diet rocks!

 

[DT4K]

It's pretty much taken straight from atkins and modified to make it a little less restrictive.
The logic and science behind it is the same.
In fact, the induction period for SBD is almost identical to Atkins induction.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Shanti
It's pretty much taken straight from atkins and modified to make it a little less restrictive.
The logic and science behind it is the same.
In fact, the induction period for SBD is almost identical to Atkins induction.

No, read my explanation a few posts up. It's actually a lot NOT like Atkins, and the creator of the SBD makes that very clear.

Phase 1 which is similar to Atkins "induction" is not to put your body in ketosis; it's to rid your body of a carb addiction. In fact, if you don't have THAT much weight to lose, or if you don't have a carb problem, then you can jump straight into Phase 2 (less restrictive).

The point of Atkins is to force your body to use fat for energy instead of processing carbohydrates. This means avoiding almost ALL carbs ALL the time -- it's a complete biological and lifestyle change.

SBD is more of a change of eating habitss. By encouraging people to eat GOOD carbs the "right" way, you are making your body function the same but in the most efficient manner possible, i.e. no insulin spikes and hunger cravings. You can still eat whatever you want on SBD (want a bowl of ice cream every day? fine. Want coffee? Drink 2 cups a day! Need a beer every now and then? Go ahead.)

I think the coffee thing is what does it for me. I gave up coffee this week just to detox but if I was on Atkins I could "never" have coffee. SBD's philosophy says you have more things to worry about than giving up a caffeine addiction -- but to keep it to 2 caffienated beverages per day. Sans sugar.

 

[Linux23]

What about the potential health risks associated with the SB diet? I know with Atkins that you can improve cholesterol levels and control insulin. How can, with the SB diet, you eat ice cream and drink coffee and still maintain good health. Tha totally contradicts Atkins.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: Shanti
It's pretty much taken straight from atkins and modified to make it a little less restrictive.
The logic and science behind it is the same.
In fact, the induction period for SBD is almost identical to Atkins induction.

No, read my explanation a few posts up. It's actually a lot NOT like Atkins, and the creator of the SBD makes that very clear.

Phase 1 which is similar to Atkins "induction" is not to put your body in ketosis; it's to rid your body of a carb addiction. In fact, if you don't have THAT much weight to lose, or if you don't have a carb problem, then you can jump straight into Phase 2 (less restrictive).

The point of Atkins is to force your body to use fat for energy instead of processing carbohydrates. This means avoiding almost ALL carbs ALL the time -- it's a complete biological and lifestyle change.

SBD is more of a change of eating habitss. By encouraging people to eat GOOD carbs the "right" way, you are making your body function the same but in the most efficient manner possible, i.e. no insulin spikes and hunger cravings. You can still eat whatever you want on SBD (want a bowl of ice cream every day? fine. Want coffee? Drink 2 cups a day! Need a beer every now and then? Go ahead.)

I think the coffee thing is what does it for me. I gave up coffee this week just to detox but if I was on Atkins I could "never" have coffee. SBD's philosophy says you have more things to worry about than giving up a caffeine addiction -- but to keep it to 2 caffienated beverages per day. Sans sugar.

If it works, that's great.
All I was saying is that reading about phase 1, it was just like Atkins.
And regardless of whether it's the main point, reducing carbs to 20g WILL put you int ketosis just like atkins.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Shanti

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: Shanti
It's pretty much taken straight from atkins and modified to make it a little less restrictive.
The logic and science behind it is the same.
In fact, the induction period for SBD is almost identical to Atkins induction.

No, read my explanation a few posts up. It's actually a lot NOT like Atkins, and the creator of the SBD makes that very clear.

Phase 1 which is similar to Atkins "induction" is not to put your body in ketosis; it's to rid your body of a carb addiction. In fact, if you don't have THAT much weight to lose, or if you don't have a carb problem, then you can jump straight into Phase 2 (less restrictive).

The point of Atkins is to force your body to use fat for energy instead of processing carbohydrates. This means avoiding almost ALL carbs ALL the time -- it's a complete biological and lifestyle change.

SBD is more of a change of eating habitss. By encouraging people to eat GOOD carbs the "right" way, you are making your body function the same but in the most efficient manner possible, i.e. no insulin spikes and hunger cravings. You can still eat whatever you want on SBD (want a bowl of ice cream every day? fine. Want coffee? Drink 2 cups a day! Need a beer every now and then? Go ahead.)

I think the coffee thing is what does it for me. I gave up coffee this week just to detox but if I was on Atkins I could "never" have coffee. SBD's philosophy says you have more things to worry about than giving up a caffeine addiction -- but to keep it to 2 caffienated beverages per day. Sans sugar.

If it works, that's great.
All I was saying is that reading about phase 1, it was just like Atkins.
And regardless of whether it's the main point, reducing carbs to 20g WILL put you int ketosis just like atkins.

First off, let me say that I hope it works great for you. There isn't a single nutritional plan that is right for everyone, and there are various ways to get healthier. Choose the one that works for you, and stick with it.

That being said.... In your quote, you posted: "The point of Atkins is to force your body to use fat for energy instead of processing carbohydrates. This means avoiding almost ALL carbs ALL the time..."

And that's not true at all. You do limit the amount of carbs to 20/day during the first two weeks (Same as SBD, if I'm not mistaken). After that, it is up to you to decide what level you want to be at. Personally, I'm up to ~50g/day, and that level is very comfortable for me.

 

[Sluggo]

I'm trying it, havent lost too much weight, but I wasnt a big carb eater anyway.

I'm more impressed with the reduction in my waist, probably about 1 to 1-1/2" in about 3 weeks. I have only lost maybe 7 pounds, my weight fluctuates quite a bit during the day so its hard to tell. In addition to that, my scale at home and the one at the gym are about 10 pounds difference.

I didnt post in your other weight loss thread, but I think if I remember right, you are about the same size as I am.

I'm 5-8 196 pounds @ the gym in my workout clothes, 185 pounds naked first thing in the morning at home.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
I'm 5-8 196 pounds @ the gym in my workout clothes, 185 pounds naked first thing in the morning at home.

Sounds like me... I'm 5'9" and weigh 178lbs. (I weighed 217+ back in April. )