For the Record - Don't Cheat!

[Mindy moves on!]

As a mod, I felt it was my responsibility to make this statement. We don't advocate cheating on your diet on South Beach. While it is true that no one expects you to be picture perfect on this diet -- a very rare splurge is what we are talking about.

We do have members on this board who have defined what this diet means to them differently than the way it was designed. We do not endorse regular cheating or splurging on South Beach. It will hamper your goals. Members who choose to do this, do so because this is what they choose but it is not what the South Beach diet is promoting you do for weight loss.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/south-beach-diet-forums-phase-1/1050-record-dont-cheat.html

Some people's metabolism reacts better than others to straying off course. I for one am not one of those people. If I eat off the plan, my body immediately shows me the results of that cheat and it takes me a long time to lose what I've just regained.

Again, I'm not saying you can never be human or have an "occasional" treat or cheat but this means a RARE exception, not a regularly scheduled cheat day or cheat food.

You're only fooling yourself if you keep eating the foods that are not designed as a part of this healthy eating plan.

I am not above temptation. Of course I have had a bite of some birthday cake and when I went on vacation I ate forbidden foods. But these situations were after many months of dieting and I got right back on the straight and narrow and STAYED there.

So please if you are new and just learning the ropes of how to do the South Beach Diet, follow the plan. Read the stickies at the top of the forums and you will have success!!!:Love Doctor:

[brownie05]

Thanks for that statment Mindy. You are so right. Sorry I am one of those who can get away with cheating once a week. I know if I cut that out though my weightloss would be faster.

[luv2bike]

Great post, Mindy!

I think it was something that needed to be addressed. I seem to be way more human than I should be. I will try to heed your words and get a grip. I mess up far too often and need to stop it!

The "occasional treat" has a way of getting out of hand and fast! Before you know it you're treating yourself every week, then every couple of days and NOT losing weight. I should have been at goal a long time ago.

Thanks for the post! :Hug2:

[dawn-in-tahoe]

Party pooper!:jester:
j/k LOL
I agree with Mindy! You got to read those stickes and stay true the plan!
I hope I haven't been a bad example! Sorry!!

[french]

:OMG: DAM MISS MINDY IS PUTTING HER FOOT DOWN......WE HAVE ALL BEEN POSTER CHILDREN FOR BAD SOUTH BEACHING....MINDY THANKS FOR THE REMINDER.....STAY TRUE TO YOUR DIET AND YOURSELF AND LIVE LONG AND HEALTHY LIVES......DAM IS MINDY PMSING TOO.....LOL KIDDING MINDY WE ALL NEED THAT REMINDER......:Love Doctor:

[Mindy moves on!]

Well I am not trying to be militant about this but I am concerned that newcomers to the board will get the wrong impression and think it is ok to REGULARLY cheat. We are not advocating cheating on this board even though it happens to the best of us!!:speechless:

????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/showthread.php?t=1050
On Phase 1 there are no exceptions. It is a two week program to detox you from sugars and bad carbs and you begin eating only healthier fats and learn portion control.

On Phase 2 -- MESSING UP-- as an occasional -- and rare exception is human, and Dr. Agatston of South Beach has allowed for this. He is not advocating that you be a purist for life. Most of us will be on Phase 2 for a long time -- until we reach our goal weight. So it is likely that somewhere down the road you will -- as an EXCEPTION-- eat a few bites of a dessert or eat no-no foods on vacation or even overeat legal foods. This should not be happening regularly or you will derail your weight loss. And if your weightloss derails, don't blame it on South Beach. Look at what you are eating.

Some of us are on this diet to gain better control over our eating habits. So if you find yourself continually cheating or over eating,you may want to go back onto Phase 1 until you feel like you are in control of your eating again. This is a slippery slope for some people and you guys need the encouragement to stay healthy and on track and we are here to support you however we can!!

There is a danger in cheating regularly and hopping back onto Phase 1 repeatedly to take care of it every time. By REGULARLY cheating and hopping on Phase 1, you will create a cycle of metabolic imbalance called insulin resistance.

This is the same as yo-yo dieting. Eventually your body will become resistant to losing weight. South Beach diet is designed to correct your metabolism and help you achieve balance. A rare cheat can be overcome but regular cheats cannot.

However if you do have a rare exception cheat -- a one time-one meal cheat usually means you do not have to go back to Phase 1. Just continue eating healthy and stay on track. But if you cheated for a few days or more (like on a vacation), then a return to Phase 1 for a few days should help you ditch the water weight gained during the cheat.

We are not here to be the police for your diet only to help you understand the guidelines of what makes this diet work. I don't mean to offend anyone. My goal is to make sure that newcomers to this board know how to follow the diet properly.

Also everyone's metabolism is different. Some people can lose weight faster than others. If you are young and work out a lot, your metabolism is more forgiving than someone who is older, overweight and does not or cannot exercise enough. Even more difficult are those who are trying to lose with certain medical conditions.

So even though you hear us talk about cheats -- that is not an endorsement to cheat:sun:

[Deblynn]

Jeesh i dont know how i missed this post till today:OMG:Your so right Mindy! I think of the newcomers everytime i post a mishap.And it is so true ,one mishap seems to lead to another and pretty soon we have fooled ourselves into thinking we can splurge every weekend!(talking about myself here)
Thanks for this,Im going to print it out and put it on my fridge LOL.

[suri6292]

I have been drinking veggie juice and noticed that two of the forbidden veggies are in it! Is this a problem or are only carrots and beets in their natural state to be avoided? Please, someone, let me know asap!
thank you.

["M"]

I can only speak for myself... I think cheating is what got me where I am now. Eating healthy for me needs to the rule not the exception.

I'm on board!! Thanks for the encouragement.

"M"

[kelleylynn]

This is day 4 for me and I feel great. These messages have really helped me alot. I am 100 pounds overweight and this is the first time I felt like I can do this after 100 diet attempts. I feel good and my husband is even eating like me. Again thanks to all. Also how can I put a ticker on my profile anyone's help will be appreciated.