The South Beach Diet - My version
Posted by savvyhealthgirl on April 7, 2008
Hi Everyone! Sorry I have been MIA for a couple of weeks, but work has been busy and I have been traveling.
Okay so I have been on this mission to look better, lose weight and tone up my body. My girlfriend is getting married in Jamaica in May and I have to look good! So I decided for the first time in my life that I would actually diet. I can’t even believe I said that out loud. I have always thought dieting was crazy. So yes let’s change that, I decided I would really change my eating habits in a way that I haven’t done before. I thought it would be a very good idea to cut out carbs, fruit juice, granola bars, and my favorite cheese and crackers. For those of you who have tried this, well, it’s not that hard but it’s not that easy either. Thus, I began researching the South Beach Diet and how I could apply it to my life. Uhm Phase I is like food boot camp. You can’t eat anything except vegetables, meat and poultry, reduced fat cheese, a handful of nuts, eggs and water. Oh and fat free plain yogurt, fat free jello and sugar free pudding pops (The Original Fudgsicles are the best).
So why do I say my version? I just finished my first two weeks (Phase I) and I didn’t do the strict diet. But I can totally tell the difference in my clothes and the scale said I lost 5 pounds. Yeah!! I kept in bananas but did cut my intake significantly, and only ate half of it at a time. I ate air popped popcorn as a snack in the evening with little salt. I also ate old fashioned oatmeal maybe twice. Now these items are not allowed in Phase I or II, but for someone who runs and does high-impact cardio, I need a banana in my protein shake to get me through my workouts at the very least. Also, there isn’t really a high protein snack outside of turkey wrapped in lettuce and that will not get me through a 45-minute workout. Especially since protein bars are a no-no due to the carbs and sugar. Maybe it’s not the way it’s supposed to be done, but my version is still healthy and producing results. The one thing I will say about this change of eating, is the challenge you will have when traveling. Yikes! I will keep you posted. 3 Weeks til Jamaica!
