My Personal South Beach Diet Log - Four Weeks Toward a Thinner Me

I'm writing my personal South Beach diet log to help the millions of other women out there who are trying to lose weight on this innovative diet plan. When I was younger, I was fortunate enough to be able to quickly lose weight whenever I needed to, but now that I'm of a "certain age," I find that it's harder to shed pounds. A friend suggested the South Beach plan after losing thirty pounds herself. I've tracked my first four weeks on the diet so you'll know what to expect when you try the plan.

The first two weeks are crucial on the South Beach diet. You'll quickly lose weight because these two weeks are very restrictive; however, steering clear of carbohydrates and caffeine should help my body get over food cravings, making long-term weight loss easier.

My South Beach Diet Log for Week 1

After reading the books and putting together a shopping list, I stocked my kitchen with plenty of the allowed foods. I lingered over the bagel aisle, but didn't give in. Not having temporarily forbidden foods at home will hopefully make it easier.

The first few days went by quickly. The hardest adjustment for me was actually how much I'm supposed to eat at breakfast. I'm an "instant breakfast" junkie, and I'm not always hungry enough to eat eggs and bacon first thing in the morning. I discovered, however, that packing a hard-boiled egg and some cheese in my purse and munching on them while driving to work was a good idea. By then, it’s been long enough for hunger to kick in.

My South Beach Diet Log for Week 2

I look forward to being able to have fruit smoothies for breakfast during Phase 2, but toast with peanut butter is surprisingly yummy.

I'm experimenting a lot at dinner and have discovered that grilling makes everything delicious. I'm using dry rubs instead of marinades that usually contain sugar and the results have been great. I love fish, so eating more of it isn't a problem for me. I've also tried some new ways to prepare my vegetables, such as sautéing in a bit of olive oil with garlic or fresh herbs.

My South Beach Diet Log for Week 3

I'm thrilled that I can now add some of my favorite foods, including fresh fruit and some additional dairy, into my diet. I bought some yogurt, low-fat milk, and some good carb foods, such as whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, sweet potatoes and brown rice.

I'm also surprised by how good whole wheat pasta is these days. I tossed it with a bit of olive oil and garlic, grated a small amount of parmesan cheese over it and added some zucchini, onions and yellow squash for a totally filling, delicious dinner.

At the end of this week, I'd lost an additional pound and a half, so weight loss is slowing down some, but I expected this. The diet stresses that long-term success hinges on slow, steady weight loss after the first two weeks.

My South Beach Diet Log for Week 4

It's been almost a month since I started keeping a South Beach Diet log, and I love the results I have obtained so far. I've discovered that I can eat out and easily find meals I enjoy by keeping the guidelines in mind. Although most restaurants serve meals with heavy carbs like mashed potatoes or fries, I ask for the day's vegetable or a side salad instead. I also ask the waiter to remove the bread basket from the table, which keeps temptation at bay. If it's a special occasion, I do allow myself the occasional crusty dinner roll.

I feel healthier these days, and I'll soon be buying some new pants, as all my slacks and jeans are far too loose on my slimmer build. At the end of my fourth week, I'd lost a total of 14 pounds! I hope my South Beach Diet log inspires you to try the diet for yourself. Soon I'll be in the maintenance phase and will keep you posted!

Melissa Urban, Terrace, BC

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