Trying to decide between South Beach and Atkins.....

[cuterlt]

Ok guys, since you are the experts, I'll let you help me decide which diet would be better for me. Let me tell you a little bit about myself so you can help.
I am 42 years old, weigh 230, size 22-26, depending on the day. I want to get down to at least 160 - that is my initial goal. I am in pretty good health - no high blood pressure or heart issues.
I work *at a minimum* 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, with one day to do all the other stuff I have to do (clean, cook, laundry, shopping, plan trips to Disney, lol).
We are generally pretty sedentary - I'm hopeful DH will get a promotion soon so that his shift will change and I won't have to worry about getting him to do this diet. He is within his weight range, and, although he could probably use the exercise, he doesn't need to lose any weight.
I don't want to do a gym. I have a treadmill (which I need to dig out and plan to) and some exercise tapes that I'm going to dust off. But usually my exercise consists of walking.
Is that enough info? It needs to be easy, and not involve too terribly much exercise because I don't have a whole lot of time for that. I plan to try to do the treadmill religiously - I had done it before (until I met DH) pretty regularly so I think I can do it again, even though that was some years ago.
So, heap on the advice..... I'm ready for it. If you have any questions, I'll answer most anything! Help me lose this weight!!!
P.S. I'm planning on going to the library today to read up on both diets, so if you have any easy book suggestions, that would be helpful too.
Thanks!
Lisa

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Lisa!

First congratulations on deciding to take off the extra weight. I was going to do Atkins at first but someone suggested I look into South Beach so that's what me and DH are doing. I know there are lots of WISHers who are on Atkins and I know they will give you their experience. I will focus on South Beach and what it has done for me and my DH.

I find SBD to be pretty easy to follow. It's basically good carbs and good fats and you stay away from refined flour and sugar. The program consists of Phase 1 that pretty much restricts you to lean meats and vegetables for 2 weeks. Then Phase 2 you start to add back good carbs back to your diet (things like whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, brown and converted rice, dairy, etc.). After you reach goal weight, you enter Phase 3 which is the most relaxed version of the plan.

I have a journal on the WISH journal board if you would like to get an idea of basic meals and things of that nature.

I cannot tell you how much my husband and I love this plan! We truly do not look at it as a "diet". We believe it's our way of life. I was at a party last Saturday and thankfully brought a dish of food I could have, the hostess looked at me as I viewed the table of food (mostly stuff I could not have) and she said to me that it looked like I would have to go off my diet for the night. I had to explain that basically, this is the way I eat for life and it's not something I "go off of" when things aren't convenient.

DH and I started SBD on 12/1/03 and we have lost 25 pounds EACH! It's wonderful. I can't speak enough of the energy we have now, I stopped snoring and sleep soundly, I can fit into clothes I haven't worn in years and my size 26 jeans are big enough on me right now to fall off, so I have definitely lost at least 1 pant/dress size in less than 2 months.

You are smart to check out both plans to see which one fits your lifestyle and the one you will be able to logically live with for life. I am so glad I found SBD. I know I can eat like this forever. And honestly, I don't miss the carbs. Not at all. There are so many wonderful foods to enjoy on this program. Including pizza. I made a delicious crustless pizza for dinner last night. My family loved it so much, they want it for dinner tonight again!

Let us know which program you decide on okay? We will be here to support you on your journey.

 

[ADisneyMom]

Listed below is the web address for Prevention Magazine. If you click on it and it does not take you to the page copy it then paste.

http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature2002/0,4780,s1-5345,00.html


I have been following the SBD since August 21. I am looking forward to August 21, 2004 so that I can say I have been following this program for a year. As a vegetarian this has been a good program for me. It doesn't feel like a diet it's just the way I eat. Just like when I became a vegetarian it was a different way to eat.

I think that comparing diets is good because you are more likely to keep with a program if it fits your lifestyle.

With SBD I don't feel like I can't have this or that, I look at it more like I will have this instead of that. I hope I'm making sense here.
ZerasPride is very good at explaining the program and how it has worked for her. I have not read her journal yet, however, I am going to make a point to read it.

Good Luck!
ADisneyMom

 

[Christine]

Well, consider me impartial here. I don't do either diet, but I have read both books. Both diets will get you some weight loss; however, South Beach seems healthier "hands down." Once you get into Phase 2, it seems like the way we ALL should be eating.

Having said that, in your original post, you described your lifestyle but you did not describe the kind of eating you do or the types of foods you lean toward. How and when will you be getting most of your meals? Atkins may be a bit easier to follow than SB at the beginning. This is important to consider--which one can you stick to better based on where you are at mealtimes and what you like to cook and eat.

 

[tw1nsmom]

For me SBD brings me more flexibility than Atkins did. I have a problem with knowing when I'm full and stopping eating. When I did Atkins last year I really embraced the full fat concept (as did my husband who did most of the cooking). Because I was eating too much of a good thing I didn't lose much weight and become discouraged. By sticking to leaner meats and adding in vegetables and legumes right away, I seem to get satisfied more easily and if I do overindulge the calories are lower so there isn't as great an impact. Having said that, however, I do plan to incorporate some Atkins principles into my woe. I do love things like blue cheese and pot roast. I'll save the meats that are higher in saturated fat for my treat meals...they'll still keep me on target carbs wise (I know, I know you don't count carbs on SB). SBD also doesn't recommend using the different low carb substitute foods that are out there (muffins, candy, etc.). I'm planning on using some of these items sparingly allong with baking/cooking from scratch with whole grains. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[cuterlt]

Thanks for the answers!
And the questions - I wasn't sure what information to put here to try to figure out what best diet to do.
I usually don't do breakfast except on the weekends, and even then it's limited unless we go out to breakfast. I'm not a big breakfast eater, but if I can take something to work, or grab something I'm allowed to eat on the way to work, I'd be ok.
I normally eat lunch, and if I'm motivated, take something to work. That's usually tuna salad or chicken salad or leftovers. If I'm not motivated, it's usually something Mexican, sometimes chicken bowl, fast food. Something I can get and eat in an hour.
As for dinner, we usually cook two meals over the weekend and eat leftovers during the week - not very healthy, I'm afraid. Meatloaf with mashed potatoes, spaghetti and garlic bread, fettucine alfredo, chicken enchiladas, lasagna, hamburger helper, teppan. I usually don't get home til fairly late (7pm or later). We rarely have a vegetable except when we do teppan at home. Our meals are usually quick and easy. I drink a lot of water at work. I usually only have one diet soda a day - if I have one. If it's before 5, it's caffinated; if after 5, it's caffeine free.
We go out to eat dinner/late lunch (cuz it's cheaper) rarely. Red Lobster, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, teppan japanese, Taco Bell, Wendys (chicken strips with honey mustard).
I think my downfalls are the potatoes, rice, breads, cocoa in my coffee, pastas.
I do want to find something I can stick to - if it's easy to do and I can take it to work, or fix it quickly and go, that's the best for me because of my schedule. I do have a high stress job, but I don't generally snack during the day. I occasionally have a binge evening (maybe once a month, if that) where I will eat a bunch of cookies, or good and plenty.
I do almost all of my eating at meal times. lol.
Thanks for the help!