I need a lot of help!!

[threeboysmom]

I would like to join up with all of you, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm thinking of doing the South Beach rather than Atkins because I heard it was more "moderate"? I just don't know where to begin. I am a very POOR eater. How do you make it through the day without any breads, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc. ??? Not to mention the cookies & cake?? Don't laugh - I'm serious!! I only have 10-15 lbs. to lose, but I'd really like to change my eating habits because of my health. I am addicted to sugar - just thinking about giving it up makes me feel anxious & panicky inside. I actually have tears in my eyes now just typing this. How do I start? I think I know the basics - eggs, vegetables, & meat. Is that right? But how do you live on just those basics? I'm not sure I could even make it through one day let alone a lifestyle change. Can someone please help me and just walk me through one day? Maybe if I can see that I can make it through a day, it will motivate me to go for another day, and another, and another.

 

[ZerasPride]

I'm on the South Beach Diet and I love it! I never thought I could give up my beloved pasta, potatoes and bread. But it has been so easy. DH and I have been following this program for a little over 7 weeks and we have lost 25 pounds each! Last night we were at Burger King and we were very hungry because it was so late. I wasn't even tempted by the fries, onions rings and such. Once you do Phase I and detox your system you are not going to want the carb-laden foods. I didn't believe it but it's true. DH and I are known by our local pizza place - they probably pay the rent on their space with our money, I mean we had pizza 2 or 3 times a week but now when we have it, we throw the crust away and find we don't want the pizza so often now.

One piece of advice I can give you is to read the book. I can't stress it enough. It will allow you to understand the difference between good and bad carbs. Once you understand the basic tenents of the program, it makes it so much easier to follow.

You asked about a typical Phase I day. I'll give you an example. If you want some "light" reading, you can check out my journal on the WISH journal board where I have detailed my menus for each day that I have been on the plan.

Breakfast: I would have several slices of bacon and 2 scrambled eggs or an omelette;
Lunch: a salad with sliced turkey or ham and low fat dressing (I like ranch);
Dinner: meat and veggie plus a sugar free fudgesicle for dessert - you are encouraged to have dessert each night and 2 snacks per day - I would have a cheese stick and 7 whole almonds for my two snacks

That's an example of Phase I. You would eat that way for 2 weeks and you can lose anywhere from 8-13 pounds. I lost 14 pounds during those two weeks. I also stopped snoring, sleep soundly, have tons of energy and have lost so many inches that I wish I had kept track from the beginning.

I know you don't have much to lose but if you are looking for a healthy eating plan, I think you will find it in South Beach. With Phase II you start to add back "good" carbs to your diet. But what you may find is that you don't miss the carbs at all. I consider the plan my husband and I are on as South Beach 1.5. Anyway, you can have whole wheat pasta, fruit, steel cut oatmeal, whole grain wheat bread, brown rice and more dairy.

I didn't mean to go on so long, but I hope this answers some of your basic questions. If you have any more, please don't hesitate to ask or pm me! Hope to see you "on the Beach" soon!

 

[LisaTx]

I agree with everything Lisa said.

First off you need to read the book, whether it's Atkins or South Beach. I think anyone will be more successful if they truly understand the plan rather than going by hearsay, which for Atkins is not even true a lot of the time.

Second, you can get through the day because the first phase causes your cravings and hunger to subside. I'm not saying the first two weeks aren't hard, because they can be, but after you get through those first weeks though, it can be very easy.

I'm in the OWL phase of Atkins and I eat bread and have sweets. I eat low carb bread, and not very often, but if I want some I have a slice. I also eat fruits whenever I want. The only one I've steered clear of so far is bananas. I haven't added back any pasta or potatoes because those are some of my big triggers, but I did have some rice the other day.

I didn't eat very well yesterday, but I'll tell you what I had anyway. I had 2 Atkins Lemon poppyseed muffins with butter for breakfast. I had some cheese cubes for a late snack and then got busy and forgot to eat lunch because I just wasn't hungry. For dinner we had pork roast, green beans and salad. I even had some Atkins endulge choclate ice cream for dessert.

This morning I had a McDonald's sausage McMuffin with egg, no bun, for breakfast.

See, there's really no need to deprive yourself. There are just so many yummy things we can eat on low carb. I too thought it would be so hard to give up those things, but it has been very painless for me.

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi, it's me again!

I just wanted to second what Lisa just said about the delicious variety of food available on these plans. Saturday I ate lunch at Red Lobster and had the grilled shrimp, shrimp scampi and broiled flounder with a salad. It was yummy. Also, DH and I ate out at Ruby Tuesday's a few weeks ago and I had broiled cajun talapia with shrimp scampi on top in a cream sauce, mashed cauliflower which did remind me of mash potatoes btw, and steamed broccoli and a slice of lc cheesecake that was to die for!

I do cook at home too. Tonight we're having taco salads and I'm going to try making shrimp creole and beef stroganoff next week. I also make a good fried fish and cole slaw meal. I coat the fish with egg and milk (1% of course) and roll the pieces in parmeasan cheese and then fry them in canola oil. Yummy! Again, there are lots of delicious food choices with this way of eating. Enjoy!

 

[DoeWDW]

I agree with all the other posts. These ladies know their stuff!!

If it all seems too overwhelming, then start small. I like to use baby steps. On every eating plan, you will be told to drink lots of water. If you do nothing else, start drinking 80 oz of water a day or half an ounce for every pound you weigh. This will help you so much and it's a habit you need for the rest of your life.

After you've mastered water, then work on a healthy breakfast every day for a week or two. Then you can add in a healthy lunch. Slowly work yourself into eating on plan instead of trying to do everything at once. Baby steps will take you where you want to go!

I do have to agree, you really need to read the book. It is so much easier to follow any plan when you understand WHY it works and HOW it works.

Best wishes and please keep us posted!!

 

[JCJRSmith]

Hi Mom!!!

I'm Jerry, one of the few guys around here (maybe the only one - haven't seen any others ). LOML and I started South Beach on 1/5, and it has been very easy. We got the book before Christmas and read it through - then we picked a start date and went for it. So far, I have lost over 17 pounds, and that was BEFORE I started exercising again.

Read the book, follow the menus. One thing I like about SBD - you don't have to measure anything, keep track of points, count grams of this or that. You eat enough of the right foods to satisfy your hunger, eat the snacks during the day to avoid cravings, drink LOTS of water (it is easier than it sounds - I take a water bottle with me EVERYWHERE). If there is something on the day's menu that does not appeal to you (like Eggplant - not even at gunpoint), there is a list in the book of foods to enjoy and foods to avoid in each phase of the diet.

Things I have noticed about myself in the last two weeks: I have more energy. I am sleeping better (and I suffer from SEVERE Obstructive Sleep Apnea). I have a better outlook on things. My clothes are fitting better.

Small victories are the key. The weight we put on our frames did not get there overnight, and it won't go away overnight. Realize that when you do this, you are making a commitment for the rest of your life (what's this? A man writing of commitment? ). Small victories add up, to the point where, not only do you win the battles, you win the war.

Good luck.

 

[threeboysmom]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS!!! To give you an update, I "started" yesterday, but don't think I did too well. Here is what I ate - let me know what you think........

Breakfast - 2 eggs scrambled with gr. pepper & onion

Lunch - Romaine lettuce with chicken and balsamic vinegar (didn't particularly like this dressing - would rather have a "cream" based )

Dinner - 2 slices of bacon & cheesestick (didn't know what else to have!!) Which brings up a question - a lot of you mention cheese, but isn't that a restricted food in Phase 1?

No snacks because I didn't know what to have!! Everything I wanted wasn't allowed! Needless to say I was STARVING all day and into the night. I did cheat though - I broke down and ate 1 cookie at a meeting last night (the open box sat in front of me the whole time & I tried to resist, but gave in after awhile)

I'm REALLY discouraged that I could even't make it one day!!!! So today, do I start again on Day #1, or can I go onto Day #2 even though I blew it yesterday?

The good thing is my DH wants to join me!!! That will make it so much easier! (I hope!) But he prefers doing the Atkins as opposed to South Beach. I did go out and buy the books as so many of you suggested. Actually, I bought both SB & Atkins, but will probably go with Atkins since that is what my DH wants. From my quick browsing through the books, they actually look very similar. Are they?

Thanks again for all your help and for your encouragement! I'm still feeling very anxious about this because I know for me it will be a lifetime change & that is a very scary thought to me right now knowing how much I LOVE sugar & white flour products.

Kimberly

 

[JCJRSmith]

Hie thee to Borders or Barnes and Noble or thy favorite book vendor and obtain a copy of "The South Beach Diet."

Seriously, if you have having trouble deciding what to eat, you NEED the book (or join the web site at http://www.southbeachdiet.com - or both, like I did). All the information is there.

If you don't find the menus and recipes in the book to your taste, you are given a list of Foods to Enjoy and Foods to Avoid for each phase. As for what you did eat:

Breakfast - good for phase 1
Lunch - also good for phase 1
Dinner - also good for phase 1
except - you need to be careful of the saturated fat, especially in the bacon and the cheese. Try Turkey Bacon and low-fat cheese instead.

Also, you didn't have any snacks and you didn't really eat much for dinner. This can lead to cravings for the unhealthy.

I have been on the diet since 5 January - I am never hungry, and have minimal cravings. For example:

Where I work I am a trainer and network engineer. I teach Microsoft and Citrix and other network classes to IT professionals. Every classroom at our facility has a basket full of mini-Hershey bars, Resse's PB Cups and other candy. The first week I was on the diet, I took the basket out of the room because, for the last five years, I found myself grazing through the basket while my students did labs. This week, I have the basket back in the class, but I have no desire or cravings to dip into the basket. The first two weeks of the diet helps to clear your system of the things that cause the cravings in the first place.

You've made start, and that is absolutely terrific. You have done yourself an immense favor. Do a bigger favor for yourself and get the book to ensure you stay on the correct path

Good Luck, and All the Best,

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Kimberly,

Whichever program you chose (SBD or Atkins), you will have to conquer your carb monster. It's called Induction on Atkins and Phase 1 on SBD. Once you do that, you will most likely be able to sit with a box of cookies in front of you and be able to resist. You just need to make it through the detox period. You can do it! I know you can. I didn't believe I could give it up, now I don't crave carbie foods at all. I've had them dangled in front of me at parties and by well meaning people. I just don't want them. It can be the same for you.

Having your husband on the program with you will make it all that more likely that you will succeed! I know having my DH with me on this journey is making all the difference in the world.

You made such a good comment about lifestyle changes. This is not a diet. This is a live it! I borrowed that from someone on another board. You are already half way there with your mental attitude. Now just make that leap of faith away from the white bread and flour and you will be fine!

Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

[lmhall2000]

You're doing great! But treat yourself to a bigger dinner- last night my family had steak, green beans, corn, pita (I just ate the steak and green beans- and about 5 whole cashews for my carb craving.) Tonight we're having sauteed chicken breast in onion with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top- I throw some chicken broth in as it sautees to keep the chicken moist- for the kids I make them a small portion of pasta and then we have broccoli and a small salad. If you really get a craving you can dig into a small small handful (about 10-15) of Nestle's semisweet chocolate chips- they're great for that time of month and allowed on phase II.

Now as far as the carbs in your previous style of eating- I always look at my grandmother- she has age onset diabetes- but she also baked cakes as a career- she had so much refined sugar in her house and probably through sampling that didn't help her diabetes. But she's now 88 and has insulin shots daily and has to AVOID ALL SUGAR! The way I look at it- I want to pace myself- if I make it to 88- I still want to enjoy a piece of birthday cake for my great grandchildren- so the less I eat now the longer my body can tolerate it! I've been on SouthBeach for 2 weeks and have lost the carb craving- I did add one piece of whole wheat toast in with my eggs in the morning and 1/2 an apple for snack in the afternoon- but I'm exercising 5 hours or more a week and could feel my body being zapped by low blood sugar- so far this has done the trick. Enjoy and keep us posted!!!!

Tara