First day on phase 1

[Jilly_Bean]

Okay, here comes the wet blanket. (Sorry!) I know that losing weight is why we came to South Beach in the first place. I get it, believe me! But -- and it's a big but (no pun intended) -- if we are going to stick with this, and make it last a lifetime, we have to realize that it is a lifestyle change. NOT JUST A DIET! The quick weight loss is temporary. It's mostly water, not fat. The fat will take much longer and it will be slower. Water weight can fluctuate by 5 pounds (just pulling a number out of the air here, but it's a big number, I know) from one day to the next and even during the day.

Some people weigh every day and initially see the steady losses and get into the mindset that it's going to continue. It won't. Our bodies don't work that way. We lose it a lot slower than we gain it. It's not fair and I hate it, but it's the way it is. I just don't want you to get discouraged in a couple weeks when it slows down. That's why I write this. It's okay to enjoy the weight loss. Please just keep a level head about it.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/south-beach-diet-forums-phase-1/2339-first-day-phase-1-a.html

Okay, now that I've "dampened" all your spirits, I want to say that I am writing this as much for myself as for you. I have been doing this for 10 weeks now. I weigh myself every other week. I have lost every time until today. Today I stayed the same. I know where that can take me, so I have to remember that it's not all about the weight. It's not a sign that I've failed because I didn't lose this time. I have heard it said that if I stick to what I am doing I will most likely have an even better loss next time. But, if I start playing around with the numbers and then start to feel cheated, I will end up going off the plan. I will want to make myself feel better. I will "console" myself with food. That's why I need the reminder that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. And I hope nobody's offended by what I've said, but it's my truth and I have to share it for myself.

[luvbug412]

Grats on sticking with it Jilly_Bean
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/showthread.php?t=2339

I will say that the immediate weight loss though is nice. It's the reminder to me that I CAN in fact do this. That is IS possible.

The one thing that I can't get over though is the way I feel. More energy, more alive, more everything simply by limiting my carb and sugar intake?

Say it ain't so!!!!

The way I look at it:
Think about what you are doing for yourself as a whole. Putting good healthy whole foods in instead of stuff out of box, can, or bag. Your body is loving you and praising you from the inside because its getting all the nutrition and energy it needs not from a quick fix of sugar but from a healthy eating style.

When I read the recipes and the concepts and ideas behind South Beach, ultimately what I am finding is I'm eating like my dad, and his mom, and her mom, all the way "back on the farm" so to say. When flour was milled down the street, sugar was used sparingly because it was hard to get, and you ate what came out of your garden, root cellar, summer canning, and what was hanging in the smokehouse. To me it is a return to my roots (literally) where the stuff that I eat doesn't have to have un-pronounable things in it to be tasty.

To Jilly : :Hug1: You're doing great

[rmalbe123]

Originally Posted by rmalbe123

my first day will be tomorrow. I am scared

:Hug1:

Don't be scared. take one day at a time, and before you know it you will reach your goal.

Not all "diet"s fits all. Some love to eat meat and some just sweets, me I love to eat meats.

I was on AKINS for 6 years and maintained. Just this past Holiday I ate like a pig. Boy it was good, but I got sick. My stomach could not take all that rich food, but I kept pumping it in. And now today I started South Beach. It is a little more generous than Akins and maybe I'll stay on it forever.

Today was not too bad. I baked some chick peas and ate that for snack today. I am pretty full acutally. I had chicken wings and seafood salad. I have a big salad for dinner. I'll make it through my first day. I can't wait to drink v-8. I couln't have it on Akins, but SB it is allowable. :Hug1:

[rmalbe123]

Originally Posted by Jilly_Bean

Okay, here comes the wet blanket. (Sorry!) I know that losing weight is why we came to South Beach in the first place. I get it, believe me! But -- and it's a big but (no pun intended) -- if we are going to stick with this, and make it last a lifetime, we have to realize that it is a lifestyle change. NOT JUST A DIET! The quick weight loss is temporary. It's mostly water, not fat. The fat will take much longer and it will be slower. Water weight can fluctuate by 5 pounds (just pulling a number out of the air here, but it's a big number, I know) from one day to the next and even during the day.

Some people weigh every day and initially see the steady losses and get into the mindset that it's going to continue. It won't. Our bodies don't work that way. We lose it a lot slower than we gain it. It's not fair and I hate it, but it's the way it is. I just don't want you to get discouraged in a couple weeks when it slows down. That's why I write this. It's okay to enjoy the weight loss. Please just keep a level head about it.

Okay, now that I've "dampened" all your spirits, I want to say that I am writing this as much for myself as for you. I have been doing this for 10 weeks now. I weigh myself every other week. I have lost every time until today. Today I stayed the same. I know where that can take me, so I have to remember that it's not all about the weight. It's not a sign that I've failed because I didn't lose this time. I have heard it said that if I stick to what I am doing I will most likely have an even better loss next time. But, if I start playing around with the numbers and then start to feel cheated, I will end up going off the plan. I will want to make myself feel better. I will "console" myself with food. That's why I need the reminder that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. And I hope nobody's offended by what I've said, but it's my truth and I have to share it for myself.

Pat yourself on the back, no one else will. You are the only one that should be proud of oneself. 10 weeks, that is awesome. Keep it up. SB is a way of life.

[Dancer]

Jilly,

One thing that I use to combat the scale blues is a pair of jeans. Jeans that used to be a little tight but that are getting looser as I go are the best motivation to see me through. "The scale didnt move, but these jeans are looser...Progress!!"


Dancer

[rmalbe123]

Originally Posted by Pepper Noble

This is my first day on SBD. I think this is something I can do and stick with. Wish me luck and any advice. Thanks

:Jump Rope:yes you can. SB is more practical than Akins. Today is day 2 for me and I cannot belive that I am not hungry. Its perfect.

[rmalbe123]

Originally Posted by Dancer

Jilly,

One thing that I use to combat the scale blues is a pair of jeans. Jeans that used to be a little tight but that are getting looser as I go are the best motivation to see me through. "The scale didnt move, but these jeans are looser...Progress!!"


Dancer

I think that is a good idea. I know I can find myself some jeans in the back of my closet. How often do you weigh yourself?

[Wsu_Coug]

I know the book says not to worry about exact measurments but I know I dont know how to visualy estimate a portion, did anyone else weigh their food before they got a good idea of how much a portion was? What are some tricks to help visualy estimate portion size?

[luvbug412]

Decent link describing portion sizes:
Keeping an eye on portion sizes

[Jilly_Bean]

Originally Posted by Wsu_Coug

I know the book says not to worry about exact measurments but I know I dont know how to visualy estimate a portion, did anyone else weigh their food before they got a good idea of how much a portion was? What are some tricks to help visualy estimate portion size?

I have used a digital scale for portion control in the past. In fact, I think I was a little "nutty" about it all for a while. Now, I still have the scales on the counter in my kitchen, but I only use them to measure oil, nuts and grains as those are the things that I can very easily overdo on if I don't watch out. Just for "the fun of it" I weigh my meat or veggies once in a while. My "eyesight" seems to work pretty well with regard to portions of those things, so I only check in on those every so often.