The South Beach Diet works, for most people. Its low fat,
low carb approach helps you lose weight quickly and easily.
Health benefits are great too.
But there’s some easy mistakes you must avoid.
Gain Weight in Phase 2
Most people do well being strict in Phase 1. But what
happens when you switch into Phase 2 ? Often, you put some
weight back on again. Why ? Because your body’s starved of
carbs for 2 or 3 weeks. At the start of Phase 2 it grabs at
every carb you give it, and turns them into fat. I learned
this lesson the hard way, gaining 2 lbs in my first Phase 2
week. So reintroduce carbs slowly when you go into Phase
2, and make sure they’re good carbs.
Feel Hungry
Yes, if South Beach makes you hungry, you’re doing it
wrong. You don’t need to feel hungry. Eat 3 meals a day,
with snacks in between, choosing from the foods allowed in
your current phase.
Stay in Phase 1 for too Long
Isn’t Phase 1 great ? You can lose from 8 to 13 lbs in
just 2 weeks, without being hungry. So why leave Phase 1 ?
Why not keep up your rapid weight loss ? Because you must
start adding some carbs back in. A healthy diet includes
some good carbs like wholemeal bread, porridge and fruit. A
permanent Phase 1 also gets a little boring, and you’ll
start to cheat. Yes you will. A few biscuits here, a few
biscuits there, and soon you’re cheating rather than
dieting. It’s better to switch into Phase 2 after 2-3
weeks, and accept a slower healthier weight loss.
Fall Victim to Bread Craving
How many people list ‘bread’ as an addiction ? Seriously,
there’s a lot. Unfortunately, white bread is right near the
top of the Glycemic index, and about the worst food you can
eat on your diet. When you get into Phase 2 you’re allowed
to eat bread, but only slices of wholemeal. Same with rice
and pasta. Small amounts, and ideally whole grain
versions. Bad carbs add weight.
Ignore the Health Benefits
Most people start a diet to lose weight. I guess that’s
what a diet is for. But some diets, particularly South
Beach, have major health benefits. In fact, it’s worth
going on the South Beach Diet just for the health benefits,
even if you don’t lose weight (but you do). My blood
pressure was high when I started. After 3 weeks it was back
to normal. People with pre-diabetes, or potential heart
problems, can much reduce their risk by following this
diet. So there’s lots of beneficial internal changes in
your blood chemistry happening while you’re losing weight.
So if you follow the South Beach Diet properly, you’ll get
great results. You’ll lose weight quickly, keep it off, and
get some major health benefits.
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