Atkins to South Beach to break a stall?

[Tippy Toes]

I have been stalled now for 3 months. I have been doing Atkins for one year and lost 47 lbs. I am considering South Beach as it is also low carb. The difference seems to be the South beach is a lower fat plan or at least this is what I assume. Have any of you tried switching plans to break a stall and did it work? Has anyone ever tried South Beach?

[ajk]

I am going to guess you will get mixed responses since everyone loses differently. I have done South Beach and really liked it. I also think sometimes mixing things up a bit does help break a stall.

South Beach is also lower carb but not as low carb as Atkins. I can't see how it could harm to try it. To me, the folks that do "carb cycling" seem to be following the South Beach way .

They are both good diets really.

[route66]

47 lbs is great! What is your goal. Often when you are really close to goal the weight loss will go super slow. But 3 months is a bit aof a srtetch to not lose. Although, I have known people to go as long as 5 or 6 months without a loss. SOmetimes you just ahve to stick with it and stick with it.

What are you eating? Post a couple of daily menus and maybe we can figure out what's up. Are you having any "indulgence" meals or days? If you are, even infrequently, that can keep you maintaining rather than losing. How's the exercise?

[Tippy Toes]

O.K. Here is a sample menu from today. Breakfast: Steak and 3 eggs
Lunch: Bacon, tomato, mozzarella burger + small salad with blue cheese
Dinner: Baked pork bonless counrty ribs (no sauce), augratin cabbage (see recipe room under veggies) and broccolli. For snack (if any) a low carb yogurt (3 carbs). Oh, I also had 2 cups of coffee with 1 splenda each and 1 tbls of half and half. Water...And more water . Only condiments ever used are low carb ketchup occasionally and mustard.

Exercise: I did no exercise at all until I stalled late January. Since Feb I0 have faithfully done at least 30 min 6x a week or more. I use a treadmil every day and I do a little weight training. Sometimes I ride my bike. I sweat like crazy. Oddly, this has made no difference what so ever. Not one pound or inch more has come off. However, I have increased my energy levels enough to make me feel it is worth while anyway, weight/inch loss or not.

Also, have been on Atkins plan for 1 year as of April 16. Still need to lose 50 or 60 lbs. Current weight is 205 on my scales and 218 on Docs. Of course his are wrong, lol! Maybe not. Still, lost 47 lbs all in all.

Thanks for taking a look. I have a feeling this stall began when I started a course of antibiotics in December. I took them for a few months. (I am trying to eat a little LC yogurt to re-populate the good bacteria.) Weight loss slowed up then stopped. I sometimes gain 5 then lose it again but that is all. 4 weeks ago I gave up pickles, nuts, mushrooms and most cheeses except a little salad dressing now and then. I still have some mozzarella and cream cheese, according to Atkins "yeast" advice, but not daily.

[route66]

your menu looks great, although meds can mess you up big time...

I think you should just stick with it and just be conscious of eating when youa re hungry and stopping when you are full. Atkins isn't about portion sizes, but I know that often I'll eat a second helping just cause 1. it has little to no carbs or 2. it's there

Again, I know of folks who have had stalls for months and then suddenly stop losing. If this WOE is working for you...stick with it. You have already said (in the other thread...) how much better you feel overall...remember that!!

Another thing you might think about is maybe trying to actually increase your carbs for a day or two and then get back to your normal range. Some folks find that they actually need more carbs to start losing again. But you must be careful and pretty controlled about it. Some folks can't do it without going crazy (on a carb/sugar binge), but if you have the will...add more fruit or a sweet potato or something with some fiber that will shake things up a little. Just a thought...

[Tippy Toes]

I did skim through the SouthBeach book. Honestly, I don't think I am going to like it. The food looks pretty bland to me. A big turn off was seeing that sprays are recommended for cooking everything, including eggs . Yuck. I am picky about veggies too but find I eat more now than ever before but ONLY because I can make them with plenty of fats. I have no choice but to hang in there with Atkins and good foods I enjoy to keep me on track. After all, this is a life time plan and I MUST be able to stick with it. I may try taking a little advice from both plans by adding a little fruit and cutting back on some fats in recipes where I probably won't notice anyways. Can't hurt and would certainly cut back a few calories in a most painless way, lol! By using a few low fat products I am bound to up carbs in the process as any good label reader knows. I will carefully watch sugar contents as i recall Atkins saying sugar replaces fat in some things. And all of you who replied, thank you for caring enough to do so. Will come back and post progress. Yes, there WILL be progress! This is not a matter of "if" but a simple matter of "when".

[Tippy Toes]

I did read the SouthBeach book. On page 10 Dr. Agatston states that Atkins "bans virtually all carbohydrates". It is statements like this that give Atkins a bad name! Atkins says for induction 20 grams of carbs per day with 80% coming from veggies! Shame on this Doctor for not researching a plan he is bashing in order (no doubt) to sell his own plan!

On that note I am using SB every other day by using less fats and upping carbs. One day SB, the next day Atkins. Seems to be working as I have lost 1 pound and it has stayed off for 2 days. Yes, (dare I say it) I think my stall has finally broken! But I also must say that Atkins is a lot easier and the food is much better... SB may be OK for a short term but I prefer Atkins for the long run!

[Tippy Toes]

It is working! Doing Atkins one day and SB the next... Having cereal and milk for SB breakfast and lower fats on SB days. Atkins days are meat and eggs for breakfast. Lunches and dinners are about the same but have been alternating lean and fat cuts of meats accordingly. Am most pleased to announce that after a 3 month stall, I lost 2 lbs this week!!! <Doing the happy dance>

[mrchsvn]

Congrats on your loss! I, too am trying to do something DIFFERENTLY to break my stall. I have gone from 227 lbs to 165lbs....a 62 lbs loss in about 6 months. I have been at 165 for a few weeks now. It may not be what you would consider to be an actual plateau, but as I am approaching my goal of 145 lbs, I noticed that the weight loss has slowed down considerably. I'm glad that alternating between SBD and Atkins is helping you to lose again. I think I may have to try this. Personally, I tried SBD for a week straight. I ended up gaining like 5 lbs, so I had to switch back to Atkins...quickly But everyone is different. Congrats on the 47 lbs loss and keep up the great work that you are doing! I think I may have to try alternating like you're doing...maybe that will help me too. I know for one thing, I need to drink much more water than I'm currently drinking....Again, congrats on your success! Keep it up!

[5cats4me]

Originally Posted by jbaitinger

It is working! Doing Atkins one day and SB the next... Having cereal and milk for SB breakfast and lower fats on SB days. Atkins days are meat and eggs for breakfast. Lunches and dinners are about the same but have been alternating lean and fat cuts of meats accordingly. Am most pleased to announce that after a 3 month stall, I lost 2 lbs this week!!! <Doing the happy dance>

I have a question for you, what kind of cereal are you adding? Also are you adding other whole grains and skim milk on the SB days? I also have read the SB book and it allows whole grain breads, oatmeal and skim milk in moderation. If you aren't add in these things, then you are basically just reducing your calorie intake by limiting your fats. Congrats on your loss and I'm glad you've broken your stall! Way to go!