I have experienced weight fluctuations since my mid-30s, but it wasn't until the past year that I hit an all-time high. After losing my brother to a heart attack and watching my youngest child leave for Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserves, I had eaten my way to 232 pounds. The more I ate, the bigger I got and the more miserable I was. I was not sleeping well, I had chronic heartburn, my skin was breaking out, my blood pressure was through the roof, and I was depressed. I tried low-fat diets, portion-control diets, and The Atkins Nutritional Approach™. Atkins was great for about a week, but I knew I could never sacrifice enough to be successful. I had heard some buzz about The South Beach Diet™ but dismissed it, thinking it was another Atkins look-alike.
Then, one day in late February of this year when I was shopping at Wal-Mart, I became so upset at my weight and appearance that I veered my cart over to the book section and leafed through a copy of Dr. Agatston's book. I stood reading in the aisle until I chose to buy the book instead of the goodies I had in my cart. My husband and I decided to give it a chance. Before diving in, we took a week to say goodbye to all the meals we wouldn't be having anymore.
Phase 1 was difficult, but I made up my mind that I was worth at least a two-week commitment. The biggest challenge was planning. You cannot have a healthy diet without some level of meal planning, but we all get lazy from time to time and want to cook quick, easy things at the spur of the moment. When the pounds started dropping off after just a few days, I was inspired to put the effort in! I craved candy in the beginning, but, to my amazement, I really didn't want any after the first few days. After the initial two weeks, I was 22 pounds lighter and my husband had lost several pounds as well. I was amazed and thrilled. People were even starting to notice! Friends kept telling me that I had so much willpower, but I simply did not have the same food cravings. Yes, it does take some discipline at first, but after a short time, it really becomes your way of life.
On the first day of Phase 2, I was never so happy to see oatmeal! I enjoyed every bite of that first bowl! My husband and I decided after four weeks on Phase 2 that we would splurge on a meal of wing dings and French fries and, of course, a big, green salad. We looked forward to that meal as if the circus was coming to town. What we did not realize about this diet was that it changed us. We no longer had a taste for the things we once loved. As we sat at our feast of forbidden foods, we both commented on how disappointed we were that the meal had not met our expectations. We no longer liked French fries! Even the wing dings weren't as good as we remembered!
In four months, I've lost 43 pounds, and my husband has lost about 35. We never used to go anywhere without Rolaids and Tums before, but now our indigestion is gone. My skin is clearer, we sleep better, and the numbers from our blood tests and our blood pressure are both magnificent! I never imagined in my wildest dreams that a diet plan could have all these benefits. This is not a weight loss diet, this is a life-renewing plan — and we feel wonderful!
Favorite snack: I enjoy the no-sugar-added fudgesicles and fat-free, sugar-free pudding. The white chocolate pudding is my favorite.
Favorite exercise: I love to walk! It gives me private time to listen to music or just think about my day.
Best compliment you've gotten: That I have inspired so many of my friends and family to try South Beach. What could be better than that?
Most effective strategy when facing temptation: When I'm tempted to eat something I know I shouldn't, I think about it for at least a half-hour. If I still want it, I have a tiny bit of it. A bite or two is enough for me. You cannot eat like you once did, but since you only live once, if you want to taste something, you should taste it. Usually, once I taste whatever it is, it is not as good as I imagined.
Best advice for other SB Dieters: Know that you are worth a three-week commitment. You will be amazed at all the changes you see in just three weeks.
