South Beach?

Sorry if this has been discussed here, but I was wondering what the general
feel is for the South Beach diet. I did low carb pretty religiously for
about 3 years starting in August of 2000. I went from 268 to 195 in less
than one year and felt great. Stayed in maintenance until late 2003. After
I went back to carbs I started gaining, just a little at a time, but now I
find myself at 224 and quite unhappy.
The reason I went off was because my wife, who refused to read any of my
information, had the general impression that low carb was unhealthy. Now
that it's becoming more mainstream (I think because it actually works) and I
am becoming more round, she is open to me going back but would prefer SB
because it is, supposedly, more heart healthy. Both my parents were
recently diagnosed with heart disease, so she is afraid for my health.
I am still in Phase 1, which seems a lot like induction, but more
restrictive. I've lost about 4 lbs so far, so it seems to be working, but I
worry about adding carbs back in phase two. Don't suggest that I stay in
phase 1 forever, I don't think I could keep it up and I don't want to
restart the feud again.
I was just looking for opinions on SB in general. I'm in no big hurry to
shed the poundage, but I do want to lose it eventually and improve my health
in the process.
Thanks!

J Penick wrote:
Sorry if this has been discussed here, but I was wondering what the
general feel is for the South Beach diet. I did low carb pretty
religiously for about 3 years starting in August of 2000. I went
from 268 to 195 in less than one year and felt great. Stayed in
maintenance until late 2003. After I went back to carbs I started
gaining, just a little at a time, but now I find myself at 224 and
quite unhappy.
The reason I went off was because my wife, who refused to read any of
my information, had the general impression that low carb was
unhealthy. Now that it's becoming more mainstream (I think because
it actually works) and I am becoming more round, she is open to me
going back but would prefer SB because it is, supposedly, more heart
healthy. Both my parents were recently diagnosed with heart disease,
so she is afraid for my health.
I am still in Phase 1, which seems a lot like induction, but more
restrictive. I've lost about 4 lbs so far, so it seems to be
working, but I worry about adding carbs back in phase two. Don't
suggest that I stay in phase 1 forever, I don't think I could keep it
up and I don't want to restart the feud again.
I was just looking for opinions on SB in general. I'm in no big
hurry to shed the poundage, but I do want to lose it eventually and
improve my health in the process.
Thanks!

I've been on SB since Jan 5 of this year.
Never did any other program before and SB seemed to be more to my style.
I'm in Phase 2 now and I'm losing 1 - 2 lbs per week which is what the book
says to expect.
All total, Ive lost 32 lbs so far. My goal is to lose 20 more before
deciding if it feels OK or if I need to lose more.
Health charts say one thing Dr says another and I like the Dr's. numbers
(they're higher).

Good luck!
-TheKidd

but now I
find myself at 224 and quite unhappy.
The reason I went off was because my wife, who refused to read any of my
information, had the general impression that low carb was unhealthy. Now
that it's becoming more mainstream (I think because it actually works) and I
am becoming more round, she is open to me going back but would prefer SB
because it is, supposedly, more heart healthy.

Gee. I'd take her advice. I mean, she was SO right the first time. Personally,
if my husband was giving me **** about LC, I'd inform him that the conversation
is OVER until he bothered to read the book. Your spouse spewing ignorance is no
different from strangers in the supermarket who tell you your kidneys will fall
out and your cholesterol will shoot up. They both have no idea what they're
talking about, and they both don't deserve to make decisions about YOUR life
and health. Just MHO of course.

LCing since 12/01/03-
Me- 5'7" 265/219/140
& hubby- 6' 310/235/180

"J Penick"

writes:

Sorry if this has been discussed here, but I was wondering what the general
feel is for the South Beach diet. I did low carb pretty religiously for
about 3 years starting in August of 2000. I went from 268 to 195 in less
than one year and felt great. Stayed in maintenance until late 2003. After
I went back to carbs I started gaining, just a little at a time, but now I
find myself at 224 and quite unhappy.
The reason I went off was because my wife, who refused to read any of my
information, had the general impression that low carb was unhealthy. Now
that it's becoming more mainstream (I think because it actually works) and I
am becoming more round, she is open to me going back but would prefer SB
because it is, supposedly, more heart healthy. Both my parents were
recently diagnosed with heart disease, so she is afraid for my health.
I am still in Phase 1, which seems a lot like induction, but more
restrictive. I've lost about 4 lbs so far, so it seems to be working, but I
worry about adding carbs back in phase two. Don't suggest that I stay in
phase 1 forever, I don't think I could keep it up and I don't want to
restart the feud again.
I was just looking for opinions on SB in general. I'm in no big hurry to
shed the poundage, but I do want to lose it eventually and improve my health
in the process.
Thanks!

Okay, first? Yes, your wife is right to be concerned about your health,
because that's what spouses do, but she shouldn't make judgments about a diet
if she hasn't read the book.

Second? Kitchen and shopping logistics might make a difference. Does she do
most/all of the cooking? If so, that gives her leverage in this situation.

Third, I read both Atkins and SB before I started a hybrid plan I developed for
myself, and I don't think the two plans are that different. More directly, you
may not lose as fast on SB as you did on Atkins, but you'll lose, and it's a
healthy diet. I thought the major differences were in the area of dairy
products and the reintroduction of fruit into the diet.

The bottom line is, on both you'll be eating more vegetables and fewer sweet
and/or refined carbs.

Daria
166/147/140
sugar-free since 2/1/04
low-carb since 2/17/04