Choosing a diet.

[eva]

I just joined yesterday and am having a hard time choosing a plan of action. I see the merits of the low carb diets like the Atkins plan, but I also see value in low fat / low calorie eating. Is there anyone doing some type of combination diet that doesn't eliminate carbs and fat, but reduces both in their diet? If so, what are good levels for each? My father was diabetic and died of a heart attack at age 54. I really want to get into good shape and avoid the same fate. But I don't want to just lose weight. I want a plan that I can stick to for the rest of my life.

 

[eva]

Well, I think that I may have answered my own question. I remembered that years ago when my father died that I started getting a magazine called Prevention. I decided to check out their website to see if they had any recommendations. Well they are endorsing a diet plan called The South Beach Diet. It seems like a good plan that uses reduced fats and carbs, but doesn't eliminate either. I plan on going to the bookstore again today and look for that book.

If anyone is interested here's a link:
http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature2002/0,4780,5345,00.html
Thanks for all the support you guys have given me in just the last day. It has really made me take action.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Thanks Eva - I think thats the diet Ive been looking for - Im about to go check the site. My brother just had a massive heart attack / bipass done at the age of 51. We know it's hereditary as my father had his first heart attack at 54 and died from heart disease at the age of 71.
Ive been going lofat but my carbs are wayyy up there.

 

[eva]

Glad I could help. If you decide to go on the diet please pm me. Maybe we can help each other stick to it and share recipes and such. I am going to find the book later this morning and then head to the grocery store. The book is supposed to have a grocery list of what to buy in it. I'm really excited to get started tomorrow!

 

[glo]

Sounds cool. I love Prevention magazine...I try to read it every issue always has some great articles and good info. Welcome to the WISH boards!

 

[eva]

glo, I use to read it front to back every month. But the last few years I have just let my health and diet slip. While I was on the website for Prevention I resubscribed to it again. That magazine really helped when I was watching my weight before. They have great articles, but I think the main thing that it does for me is keep me in the mindset I need to be in for a healthy living.

 

[ahutton]

The web site www.chasefreedom.com has information on just about every diet, and for the more common ones includes a pro and con review by a nutritionist. It helped me narrow down my choices, and I went with the Carb Addicts Lifespan plan. For me it has the most liveable plan, and will easily become my plan for long after I reach my goals. My loss has been somewhat slow, but I truly believe that this is it for life and I know from test results that I am healthier than when I started. I've also had medical challenges that have slowed me down, but I feel better and am recovering faster than I expect I would have otherwise.

 

[eva]

If anyone is interested in the South Beach Diet, Barnes & Noble has the book 30% off right now. With my Reader's Advantage at B&N I got it for less than $17. I have read more than half the book and I can tell it it the plan for me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In our family, my husband and I have just cut down on sugar, fat and calories in general. We don't deny ourselves anything, but we do read labels a lot now. We have pretty much given up regular soda and drink diet soda or Crystal Light or water. We eat more fruit and vegetables than we used to. We eat fewer cookies, cake, candy that we used to. We eat breakfast everyday.

But the big thing is the exercise we do frequently. We started on the treadmill which has progressed to walking/running outside. We have taken part in three 5K races so far, him running, our son running and me walking. I like to walk 5K every day if possible, if not I do 1.5 miles on the treadmill (which has become boring with the nice weather outside). My husband has signed up for the Disney 1/2 Marathon in Jan and my son and I have signed up for the Disney 5K in Jan. We are even considering the 10K in Oct. Our next race in Saturday - a 5K for me and son, husband is going to do the 10K.

Since last June, my husband has lost 70 pounds and gone from a 44 waist to a 34 waist. XXL shirts to Med or Large shirts. I started in November and have lost about 35 pounds with about 8" in my hips, 7" in my waist and 7" in my bust gone. I have started replacing my clothes as well since most of them are too big now.

I feel like we can do this forever. I used to have sore knees and feet all the time. No more.

We are each others support group. Since we do it as a family it makes it much easier.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think that is great that you have made a decision- and I know of MANY people online that have done great with South beach- so I'm sure you will too.
However, I just have to comment on....

It seems like a good plan that uses reduced fats and carbs, but doesn't eliminate either.

What diet eliminates either? I know Atkins doesn't eliminate either one either.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for the link to chasefreedom. I looked up WW and found something valuable for me.

Long-term group therapy has the potential to prevent the development of self-reliance and self-discipline, which is clearly the most important trait in those 5% of dieters who succeed 5 years and beyond.

I love the meetings, but I see that I do really have to focus on myself and get my discipline in order.

 

[eva]

I did read a book on Atkins and I never really thought it completely eliminated carbs until I read a number of posts here on the board that people on the diet were going 0 carbs for the week. I have nothing against the Atkins diet. I just know that I couldn't eat mainly proteins during the first phase. The South Beach diet is pretty much half veggies and half lower-fat proteins during the first phase. There's no limit to the amount of veggies you eat as long as you stay away from beets, carrots, corn, and sweet potatoes. Other than those you can eat pretty much any veggie you want. The thing that it hard is avoiding fruit for the 1st 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to Phase 2 where I can start having apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapes, mangoes, oranges, and peaches.