REALLY STRUGGLING....

[Wendalina]

Hey ya'll!

I have been doing Atkins for the last 7 weeks or so and I am down 20 pounds. I have been seriously contemplating South Beach, but I am afraid I wont continue to lose. I do like the flexibility and variety of SB, but I know I do better with lower carbs. So I am really confused and wondering if I should just stick with Atkins, cause I know it inside and out, or should I venture out and try SB. I am not a big milk person at all, so that isnt really an issue.

Just very confused and feelin a bit overwhelmed right now. I have ordered all the SB books and cookbook and dining out guide. Maybe once they get here I will feel better, but right now I am really wondering which direction to go.

Any help/advice/or BTDT would be great...

thanks!

Wendy

[jedswife]

well you have lost 20 lbs why do you want to switch???

what you are doing appears to be working so why change it?

are you bored? stalling??

[Wendalina]

just getting a little bored and wondering if its not too much fat and in the long run be unhealthy? the conclusion that I think I might be coming to is that I am going to keep doing Atkins and maybe a little of SB. Like add in more good carbs and use SB as a guideline for that. It just seems a little more liberal. But I dont want to mess up the weight I have lost ya know? I have never been one to do the ketosis sticks, rather just go by the scale. So I am wondering if I did a little of both diets would they cancel each other out and not be good at all?

Wendy

[jedswife]

well i suggest you read up more on fat in the diet - the tide is turning and has been for a while. there are lots of studies that show fat is beneficial.

you can search here on the boards i know there is tons of info on this site.

the best advice i can give is - do your own research - for example you've been on atkins for a while why not go to the dr and get a checkup and see how you are really doing on the diet - you know check your cholesterol etc etc

you do know that the creator of the south beach diet worked for atkins for years right? the plans are almost identical. and dont forget if you are past the induction phase you can start adding in good carbs at higher levels.

me personally i do much better on high fat than lower fat but it is a personal thing - test yourself do you do better on high fat, moderate fat or lower fat? what about your personal carb limits - for instance with enough fat in my diet i can consumer up to 40 grams of carbs and still continue to lose.

[veronicka]

I've done both, and to be honest, I love SB! You lose faster with atkins, but for me it was so difficult to stick to. I lost 15lbs in 2wks on that diet and then I quit, I couldn't take it, it's too restrictive and too fatty, IMO. After quitting Atkins I gained back the 15 lbs and then added on another 23! I've lost 5 lbs on SB in a week, so trust me, it works, it's slower losing, but you get to eat healthier foods like whole wheat products and fruit. But it's really up to you, if you're not liking atkins you should try other options. Good luck either way and feel free to ask questions anytime.

[Wendalina]

Well I really do like it, but as I am starting to add more things in, I am seeing a lot of soy recipes and even in the bake mix. Because of my thyroid issue, I am not supposed to do soy. So I did like the whole wheat angle that SB has. Its funny because I am really diggin the extra veggies on phase 1 of south beach, its like a step up from the induction on Atkins...so maybe I guess I am just going to experiment and see how it goes. I got the Atkins for Life cookbook with some GREAT recipes in it. Including it says to have low carb bread good for phase 1????

I am still as confused, but I am so glad ya'll are here helping me.

Thanks and I will probably post back again in a little while.

Wendy

[mimi]

I would say, you need to educate yourself about healthy fats. A little of both diets will entirely sabotage your efforts in my opinion. I suggest you read Gary Taubes' book, Good Calories, Bad Calories for a clear understanding of the concept that's confusing you. Congratulations on your progress so far!

[vessel of prayer]

Originally Posted by jedswife

well i suggest you read up more on fat in the diet - the tide is turning and has been for a while. there are lots of studies that show fat is beneficial.



me personally i do much better on high fat than lower fat but it is a personal thing - test yourself do you do better on high fat, moderate fat or lower fat? what about your personal carb limits - for instance with enough fat in my diet i can consumer up to 40 grams of carbs and still continue to lose.

I am finding out for the last two days I have had a drop in wieght and I have had higher fat content both days. Isnt the body an amazing thing!! (I have restarted phase 1, but higher fat and carbs) If I saw this, I wouldnt have posted a new thread. LOL.

[Wendalina]

Shiela, so you are doing a higher fat version of the Beach? I am going to be very interested to see how that works. I know induction of Atkins so well, I think maybe I should see about adding in beans and some other veggies.

Wendy

[vessel of prayer]

OH no..not too much higher. I did have some almonds for a snack, and I had a tblsp of p butter for snack (natural) I also did have a grapefruit too, but still had loss on scale. I had some peas and beans for lunch, half cup today with my chicken. I am all out of salad stuff, really I am all out of everything but the mixed veggies. I didnt eat any of the potato tho. Doing what I can with what I have. I really want some oatmeal for supper but do not know if I should start grains because of the stall I have for two weeks or so after inducting grains back into my diet. I really do not want to do atkins.....

[Mickey Lou]

I'm on day one of south beach eating....(mostly, I just had full fat yogurt)

What sealed it for me last night was someone on this board said, do you want to lose? Or do you want to change your life style? That was key for me. I know I can lose on Atkins...but I miss some things and have grown so tired of it after so many years that I quit losing a LONG time ago.

So last night, I dusted off the SB book and read it through the eyes of 'looking for a lifestyle, not a quick fix' and I can see where South Beach is a more realistic change for life. I'm sure many maintain on Atkins....but how far off are their maintenance plans from each other? I bet not much!

[Mickey Lou]

SB does make a good argument about saturated fats that Atkins allows fully, all the time.

[rose1]

Ladies, SB is about GOOD fats, not necessarily just low fat. You can get plenty of good fats using nuts, avocado, olive oil, etc. If you follow the plan as written, you will get good results. Why not visit us on the check in thread to see how we work the plan.

[Wendalina]

I have learned a lot from the SB weekly thread....seems like there are a lot more choices. I guess like they say, you have to find your own individual limits and what works best and stick to that like crazy.....easier said than done huh?

[Wendalina]

Ok ladies.... I have decided to try South Beach for two weeks and see how it goes. I figure thats the best way to really see. Wish me luck!

Wendy

[rose1]

Originally Posted by Wendalina

Ok ladies.... I have decided to try South Beach for two weeks and see how it goes. I figure thats the best way to really see. Wish me luck!

Wendy

[vessel of prayer]

WENDY!!! I think you will love South Beach. I sure do.

[cayman07]

Would Atkins Revolution Rolls be good for Phase 2 of SBD? It seemed that all the ingredients would be acceptable?!

[Wendalina]

yes, they would be. I asked the same question and was told that they are even ok for phase 1....makes it just a tad easier doesnt it?

[cayman07]

Yes - Eggs and Canadian bacon to go in the car just don't seem to go with a lettuce leaf!

[Barbara Ray]

Originally Posted by Wendalina

Well I really do like it, but as I am starting to add more things in, I am seeing a lot of soy recipes and even in the bake mix. Because of my thyroid issue, I am not supposed to do soy. So I did like the whole wheat angle that SB has. Its funny because I am really diggin the extra veggies on phase 1 of south beach, its like a step up from the induction on Atkins...so maybe I guess I am just going to experiment and see how it goes. I got the Atkins for Life cookbook with some GREAT recipes in it. Including it says to have low carb bread good for phase 1????

I am still as confused, but I am so glad ya'll are here helping me.

Thanks and I will probably post back again in a little while.

Wendy

Hi Wendy!

You sound a little like me - buying EVERY cookbook that comes along. Personally I think it's a BIG waste of money (just figured THAT out AFTER 50 years of spending TONS of money on them). IF you're lucky you get a half a dozen recipes that work for you! I started out with Atkins - and lost 80 pounds! I LOVED it - because I'm a BIG time FAT lover. However, through the years since I've adopted the Glycemic Load WOE - which is basically the same as South Beach - allowing for a much bigger selection of "healthy" foods.

I was in a car accident several weeks ago and am recovering from my injury (five broken ribs) - and because I am unable to do much in the kitchen - relying mostly on whatever my husband brings home - and also "giving" in to the "comfort" food gives - I've gained some of those 80 pounds back - of course - just BEFORE the holidays! I will NEED to loose those pounds before they REALLY start piling on - and although I did have success with Atkins - I believe this time I'm going to go with South Beach.

Now - to recipes and your problems with soy - I have thyroid issues as well - in addition - I SIMPLY cannot stand the soy taste (and I DO taste it) - so I use other products such as CarbQuick or blends of products - I go to the "Help and Suggestion Forum" DAILY - and derive all kinds of helpful "hints" and WONDERFUL recipes - my "collection" takes up most of a file draw. There is even a "thread" for induction recipes - but I will "caution" you - most are for those people who have already reached their goal - or are close to it. Nonetheless it's a great place to "browse". I've even learned how to adjust my regular recipes and those I see in magazines to low carb or the GL.

[Wendalina]

hey Barbara Ray!

I was just doing a little reading on the GL....very interesting stuff. I am finding that it all makes a lot more sense to me than it did before I started this time. Its like the puzzle pieces are coming together, but only I can figure out what the picture is going to be.

I need to order some Carbquick...thanks for reminding me.

Wendy

[wendysmiling]

You will lose fine on SB. I went from Atkins to SB.

[**Lola**]

Originally Posted by Mickey Lou

I'm on day one of south beach eating....(mostly, I just had full fat yogurt)

What sealed it for me last night was someone on this board said, do you want to lose? Or do you want to change your life style? That was key for me. I know I can lose on Atkins...but I miss some things and have grown so tired of it after so many years that I quit losing a LONG time ago.

So last night, I dusted off the SB book and read it through the eyes of 'looking for a lifestyle, not a quick fix' and I can see where South Beach is a more realistic change for life. I'm sure many maintain on Atkins....but how far off are their maintenance plans from each other? I bet not much!

I agree. I could never stick to Atkins. At this point, I don't care much about how fast I lose just so long as I lose and finally get healthy and strong. Healthy is the most important part for me now.