Ask and You (Jes) Shall Receive!

My good friend Jes asked me to tell more about the South Beach Diet and how it works, so here goes...

Many people are against low-carb diets because the only low carb diets in the past were Atkins. Atkins allows you to have as much meat, cheese and butter that you can eat. Atkins allows fatty fat, bad fats, and any other type of fat that you want to eat. Over the years we have been told INCORRECTLY that fat makes you fat. In reality it is the Glycemic Index and the way your body reacts to carbs (sugar) that make you fat. Also, Atkins allowed you to gorge - literally, he almost encouraged you to eat AS MUCH AS YOU WANTED as long as it was the low carb stuff. I remember doing the Atkins diet for a whole month and after the first few days all I felt was tired and greasy. On this diet I have been having to make myself eat. I have been eating mostly Broccoli and Chicken and Chipotle Salads, but it hasn't been all that bad and with such speedy results as 8 pounds in 3 days, it's not so bad at all!

The crazy thing about South Beach is that Dr. Agatston, creator of the diet, doesn't try to win you over and make you come over to the dark side. When you read his book he just lays out the facts - AND the diet will keep you from having heart problems and diabetes, which my real dad has diabetes which means I am a possible candidate and so I want to eat right so that I never get them.

On South Beach for two weeks you can eat Green Vegetables, Lean Meats, Low-Fat cheeses, black beans etc. Just Google "South Beach Phase I Foods" and I am sure you will find a plethora of sites that will help you find the right foods for phase one.

This is day 4 of the diet and I haven't cheated once - it is not like other diets where you can eat an Oreo cookie and get away with it - nope, you have to be strict, strict, strict for two whole weeks. This is supposed to train your body to burn fat for energy instead of Carbs. That is why it works really well. Your body burns carbs the best for energy, and then fat, and then protein. If you make it burn the fat on your body for fuel, then you lose weight much faster. The great thing about this diet is how it teaches you to eat properly, I can never go back to drinking Dr. Pepper's every day, but after Phase One, I can start having some complex carbohydrates.

Some foods that you can't ever go back to eating regularly on South Beach are Carrots (yes, Carrots have a high glycemic index too) , No Corn, and No Potatoes. Other than that you can slowly add fruits and vegetables, but even then you will have to watch how many you consume.

I am still worried about this weekend.

Friends, if you don't see me around much it is because I am trying to stay focused these first two critical weeks. Please don't hold it against me.

Also, a huge thanks to all my VERY SUPPORTIVE readers, you are a blessing!

Much Love!