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 Phase2,
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.
==========================================================
Discover easy
to follow weight loss secrets with a free
mini-series of South Beach Diet Tips. And learn how to get
your own 'virtual personal trainer' video. Click
South Beach Diet
