I’ve heard a lot of great things about the South Beach Diet, so I decided to check it out a bit.
Yesterday I took their Free Weight Loss Profile, and you can see my results there to the left. Fortunately I am simply “overweight” at this point, and not “obese”.
I started out at 175 pounds, which is when I decided to change my way of eating and go low carb.
As you can see, I’ve already lost ~20 pounds in less than 90 days.
South Beach has several cool things on their site including an “Is the South Beach Diet Right For You?” quiz and a 7 day free trial to check out their weight loss program…
I haven’t actually used a program up to this point, but I can see how it would be appealing. They offer a lot of personal help and accountability, including:
- Your own customized Meal Plan
- A personal meal planner and nutrition tool
- Tools to track your weight, phase, and diet goals
- 24 hour online support and community
- Over 1,000 delicious and healthy recipes
- … and more
I also found several South Beach Diet books on Amazon, which I might like to check out to get a better feel for how this particular program works:
I know several people that have had great success with the South Beach Diet. And I know some people prefer having a structured plan that offers accountability, lists, steps, etc.
It’s actually something I’ve considered as a means of maintaining my weight loss long-term. I’m currently just eating low carb, keeping it at less than 20 net carbs a day, but at some point I’ll want to eat less calories and fat and a broader combination of healthy foods. The way I’ve been doing it up to this point has been super easy, so I’m interested to see if the South Beach Diet is just as easy – or more complicated.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the South Beach Diet, and on diet programs in general. Do you find them complicated, or easier? Do you like having a “plan” and accountability & community? Or do you prefer to go solo (and does that work for you??)…
Megan says
I tried the south beach diet (bought the books) a couple of years ago and while I was on it I lost weight fast, had good energy, enjoyed some uber delicious & satisfying meals and did not feel hungry – my trip-up was having to focus so much on meal planning, shopping for the right ingredients and fixing the meals – I just don’t have the time or focus for that – if I had someone to do that for me I would be a LOT healthier and skinnier right now LOL
Kelly Hoagland says
I tried the South Beach Diet several years ago and bought the books. Honestly it was too complicated for me. I didn’t stick with it, I was constantly going back to the book trying to figure out what I was supposse to be eating. Not for me.
Lynn Terry says
Both of you brought up points that I had been thinking myself. As you know, when I chose to “go low carb” I didn’t join a program or choose a specific plan. I kept it simple by just eating less than 20 net carbs a day.
I’m afraid a program would overwhelm me too, or feel too complicated (or like “work”). That said, I know it’s a personal preference – some people definitely do better on a PLAN than others.
Lynn Terry says
Thanks Garry π
South Beach is anything but “the next best thing” – it’s been around for quite awhile. I brought it up for discussion because it’s been a popular topic among friends while discussing low carb diet plans – South Beach seems to be a popular choice.
I already shop & cook low carb, and of course have learned to “order out” low carb, which was a bit of a transition for me. It would be interesting to see if I could stick to a more structured plan vs just doing it on my own – or if I’ll ever get to a point where a plan & accountability would be beneficial.
Garry Woods says
Hi Lynn.
Yes when you have to cook and shop just for the items you need for a diet, it can become a real problem.
Then you have to keep focusing on your weight, all the time, and when you started on your low carb diet, you were sailing along well and getting a good following, even I was encouraged, by your efforts, and now have a pretty good plan, so please don’t chop and change diets, focus on what you started and you will see great results,I have faith in you along with others on here, be happy not worrying about whats the next big thing there is no silver Bullet to diets. only one day at a time pound by pound reducing.
Love ya. Garry.
Lori Pirog says
I absolutely agree with you Lynn. The South Beach Diet is popular for a good reason. It is a solid and reputable program developed by a nationally recognized cardiologist, Dr. Arthur Agatston. It has been around for quite a few years now.
I know a number of people who have had great success following the program.
Most people prefer not to follow a structured program, however, for others it is exactly what works best!
As a nutritionist, I am cautious about which programs I recommend to my website visitors. The South Beach Diet is a good choice for those who want to go the low carb route for weight loss and maintenance.
Lain says
I’m curious as to why you would want to change to a wider variety of food at some point… It sounds like this is working so well! Do you see the low carb just as a temporary fix?
Lynn Terry says
Not at all. For me it is a lifestyle change. If you follow Atkins, you’ll see that they do it in stages or phases. So does South Beach Diet. You add in good carbs and more good foods in these phases – such as berries, which are full of great vitamins, antioxidants, etc.
I have not veered that much from my original eating plan. I’m still keeping it below 20 net carbs most days, but not every day. And I’m still losing weight.
In the beginning the goal was to lose 20 pounds. Now the goal is to continue eating great, feeling great, reaching my ideal weight (according to MY body) – and of course maintaining that weight.
I’ll never add back in bread, pasta, french fries (lol), etc but I will continue adding in more good foods (fruits & vegetables) so long as I’m losing or maintaining – and feeling good. π