My first day on the Beach (help wanted)

[MinnieGirl33]

OK, here's the scoop...

After DS12 was born I lost 85 lbs & kept it off (with the exception of pregnancy #2/DS9... had to take 35 off after that) UNTIL...

I quit smoking 2 yrs ago last Sept & gained 20lbs that I cannot seem to get off! (FWIW, I did NOT smoke during either pregnancy but somehow found my way back to it both times)

So yes, I am 30something now not 20something like I was before... have always had a battle with my weight... blood workups all come back normal... yadda, yadda, yadda... I am desperate to find a lifestyle I can live with & am really hoping this is it.

Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, Fat Smash (how do you live with no protein for 9 days??? I was miserable by day 4 & ran for the peanut butter!), Slim Fast, pills (I know, I know), killing myself in the gym, you name it I've done it & NOTHING has worked. Not 1 single pound.

So here I am... time to get serious!

Any suggestions/helpful hints, ideas on what worked for you, things you've discovered/learned, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Kay1]

I sure hope you get the answer you're looking for. I, too, struggle with weight and figure it's a lifelong pursuit. Right now I'm in the process of trying to take off ten pounds by Christmas, just like last year and the year before that, and the year before that . . .

The only thing that really works for me is a focus on calories, nutrition, weight lifting, and cardio. My body seems to think I'm at the right weight now (5'10", 155 pounds) and resists my efforts to go much lower. Maybe you are in the same boat?

Good luck to you.

 

[AlaskaMOM]

Well I don't know if it'll be the one for you or not, but it sure seems to be for me. The Beach is divided into 3 phases:
P1 is VERY RESTRICTIVE - no carbs at all! It lasts for 2 weeks, it is the most difficult thing I think I've ever done. But if you do it w/o any cheating it sure pays off with dramatic losses. I lost 10 pounds in those first 2 weeks!
P2 is a little easier, especially after you've detoxed your body of all the carb cravings. You add back good carbs slowly. This is the phase that you stay on until you reach your goal.
P3 is the rest of your life phase where you've added in a few more good carbs and maintain you weight. I really don't know too much about P3, since I'm still on P2.

I strongly reccommend that you get a copy of the book, and read it through. The library should have a copy. And remember you really have to be determined to do it, because P1 is very hard, not in just the cravings you're overcoming, but some unconscious habits most of us have. Like snitching a piece o crust off the bread when making a sand. for kids, or walking by the candy bowl at work and grabbing an M&M.

I think So Beach is the one for me, to date I've lost 49 pounds in a little over 4 months! But I have put in the work. (unlike so many other failed attempts)
Good luck with your choice!!!

 

[wrldpossibility]

I sure hope you get the answer you're looking for. I, too, struggle with weight and figure it's a lifelong pursuit. Right now I'm in the process of trying to take off ten pounds by Christmas, just like last year and the year before that, and the year before that . . .

The only thing that really works for me is a focus on calories, nutrition, weight lifting, and cardio. My body seems to think I'm at the right weight now (5'10", 155 pounds) and resists my efforts to go much lower. Maybe you are in the same boat?

Good luck to you.

I'm usually a lurker, but I wanted to point out that 155 is a great weight for your height. Your body may very well be at the "right" weight for it. At that weight, you have a BMI of 22.2, which is healthy. The BMI calculator shows that 135-165 is a great range for you.

Anyway, just thought I'd point that out if it encourages you as to why you aren't losing more. Good luck!

 

[Kay1]

I'm usually a lurker, but I wanted to point out that 155 is a great weight for your height. Your body may very well be at the "right" weight for it. At that weight, you have a BMI of 22.2, which is healthy. The BMI calculator shows that 135-165 is a great range for you.

Anyway, just thought I'd point that out if it encourages you as to why you aren't losing more. Good luck!

Thanks. I'm not miserable but unfortunately, I have a very tiny frame, long legs, short trunk and I'm an apple shape. When I read WW magazines, I notice a lot of women who are shorter than I am, weigh more and wear smaller sizes than I. It's not such a problem in the summer when I can wear sun dresses but I have a really tough time with jeans or any type pants other than sweats.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Well, here I am at the end of day 7 & I have lost 3 lbs so far which I am really happy about.

I will say that I have had to be more diciplined yesterday & today... struggling a bit... really want a cookie. I've been good but am struggling.

T'Giving has me a bit apprehensive. I know I am going to allow myself a taste of a few things not included on phase 1 but it is a conscious decision. I just hope that it doesn't throw me too far off track.

I keep asking myself 1). "How bad do you want it?" (reaching my goal not a cookie) & 2). "Is it worth it?" (a cookie)

Did I mention I really want a cookie.

Would love any suggestions on getting over the Phase 1 hump!

Thanks!

 

[sap1227]

I keep asking myself 1). "How bad do you want it?" (reaching my goal not a cookie) & 2). "Is it worth it?" (a cookie)

Did I mention I really want a cookie.

Would love any suggestions on getting over the Phase 1 hump!

Thanks!

Have you tried the peanut butter "cookies"

Not quite the same as a real cookie, but pretty good!

Borrowed from another board~
Phase 1 Peanut Butter Cookie, tweaked!

1/2 c. natural crunchy peanut butter
1/2 c. canned beans (I used black, as I had just this much to use up)
2 Tbsp. reduced fat riccota cheese
1/2 c. granulated Splenda
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. egg substitute

I put all the ingredients in my food processor and spun it 'til the batter was without bean chunks but still with nut texture visible. I used a small scoop to make 12 dough balls onto a greased baking sheet, then squashed them down to about 1/4" (they were too sticky to mark with a fork). I baked them at 350F for about 15 minutes, or until they appeared puffed up even in the middle and felt dry (not sticky) when I touched them.

Nutrition-wise, each one has 77.5 calories, less then 6 grams of fat, over 1.5 grams of fiber, and over 4.5 grams of protein. Definitely doable as a snack or even as part of breakfast, but cuts way down on the fat and calories of the original recipe. And, technically, 3 would be about your nut serving for the day ...

These truly have that "cookie" texture - moist and chewy. I'm thinking if I keep them in the fridge I'll toss them in the microwave to heat and soften them if they stiffen up. Hope you like it if you're brave enough to try it!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Have you tried the peanut butter "cookies"

Not quite the same as a real cookie, but pretty good!

Thanks so much for the tip! I will definately give them a try!