This is my success story for Phase 1. I'm posting it because I started South Beach on a whim. That may sound like I didn't have a lot of will and determination behind it, and that is misleading. I was very disciplined and allowed myself no excuses on Phase 1, but, that said, I started the diet on impulse after seeing the South Beach book at work.

When I began I combed the web for any stories of people that were 'like me" to see if I would be successful. The version of teh book I have is published in 2003 and touts "South Beach Dieters lose 8 to 13 pounds in the first 2 weeks without feeling hungry."
That statement sounded extreme to me. Extremely good! But extremely doubtful as well. When something sounds too good to be true--you know the rest of the adage. Thus I was anxious to hear from people who had tried this method of eating and had success.

I am SO SO SO SO excited that it is only two weeks later and now I can WRITE exactly the testimony I was looking for two weeks earlier! I started the South Beach Way of Eating 14 days ago --today is day 15---and I have lost 7 lbs!!
I am 5'4: and went from 157 to 150. I had only recently gained the weight, so the real test of this way of eating will be the next 10 lbs--but i am very gratified by the immediate results of South Beach.

My biggest struggles with South Beach have been cutting out snack foods that I grab on the go including: fruit, crackers, bagels, cereal, and candy.
Also, I had to cut out some "comfort" foods in the evening like pizza, popcorn, rice, and alcohol.

My biggest happinesses on this way of eating have been: I am allowed cottage cheese (skim), salmon, and poached eggs, all of which I love. I am allowed a huge variety of vegetables (my favorites are all the peppers, arugula, spinach, cucumbers, cilantro, parsley, mushrooms and celery. Also, I have just been so thirsty on this diet that drinking my water has been a breeze where it was always a struggle on weight watchers.

which brings me to my subject line: YOU CAN AFFORD THIS!

I just called my husband and said, "think of all the money I did not spend in the last two weeks on Isogenix or Weight Watchers or a personal trainer or anything! This diet is definitely within the financial grasp of someone like me who has a BIG family to fund and works 40 hours plus a week.

speaking of which--I need to get back to work! Wish me luck as I begin Phase II. I am hoping for continued success in the months to come!!

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live life like you mean it!!

Good luck as you continue your journey! I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we are eager to follow your progress and support your efforts. You've accomplished so much in just the last two weeks; I can't even imagine what the next ones have in store for you! Keep us posted!

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i love your avatar!

It has only been a couple days since my post but somehow time has slowed for me on South Beach. It takes a lot of focus for me. I enjoy having nuts (almonds and pecans are my favorite) but it is ALMOST more painful to have them because it is really difficult to stop at one ounce or whatever amount is allowed. I'm likely to start using my nut allowance in one of two ways: a tablespoon of natural peanut butter on celery or apple slices----or if i am going to have nuts, use them sprinkled over a salad. i really enjoy pine nuts that are lightly sauteed. I could throw those in the sauteed cabbage shreds I picked up from one of tiny t's posts.

today I treated myself to a greek salad (takeout-not homemade). It felt so good to eat something that I hadn't made myself and something that wasn't egg based. My challenge is to keep changing things up so I don't get bored and go back to old ways of eating.
I hope things are going well for you. You don't know how much i appreciate you encouraging me.

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live life like you mean it!!