| sbskeptic
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| I guess this diet just doesn't work for everyone. I finished 4 weeks of SB without cheating and the result was 0 weight loss and no difference in my waist. My BMI is around 28, so I shouldn't have had any difficulty loosing weight. I hope everyone else working hard on this diet will be successful. Just didn't work for me. Good luck. |
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Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:42 pm |
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| RedRox
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| guess it doesn't... |
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Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:00 pm |
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| cortcase
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Did someone seriously register with a screenname "SB Skeptic" just to come on and bash the diet?
I'm assuming this will be a drive-by poster, but just in case... If you post some of your menus, some veterans can tell you if there's anything that you were eating that unknowingly was hurting your progress. Did you read the book? Read the stickies (on the top of the forum pages)? Begin an exercise routine? Seek any assistance on the forums from SB veterans?
Not sure how you were eating before or if you plan to try a different way of eating, but if you were eating poorly before, going back to that lifestyle sure isn't going to make you any healthier than you were on the SB way of life.
Just my two cents. |
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Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:26 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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sbskeptic wrote: I hope everyone else working hard on this diet will be successful.
i'm sorry you feel let down.
I'm sorry you don't have the time to let it work.
as for working HARD on this plan... i'm not working hard. in fact i don't find eating this way hard at all. it's become second nature.
oh and i've lost nearly 60 pounds so far. |
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Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:32 pm |
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| RedRox
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I pretty much had the same experience Nessa. Was really just changing some things up and making a lifetime commitment to healthy eating. Changing my diet, not going on a diet as I say all too frequently.
In his first post he said he didn't want the "don't get discouraged" posts, so was trying to honor his request.
sbskeptic wrote: I would expect a lot of "don't get discouraged" replies, because that seems to be the typical response to dieters that are not having any success, but don't bother because I'm not really discouraged, I just don't think this diet works for everyone.
Diets don't work. Even this one if approached solely as a diet, IMO. That wasn't even it's primary purpose after all. And I don't think it works for everyone either equally well. It was designed really for a specific set of conditions and got generalized a bit from there. I just went through a blood panel for other reasons and they include a genome blood type to look at specific potential dietary programs based on your genotype. There is a small percentage of the population that shouldn't do SBD according to them because they are super metabolizers of fat and even SBD is considered too high in fats (even the good ones) for that particular genotype. Luckily I was in the majority genotype it does work well for so I get to keep my peanut butter! ;)
What I don't understand, beyond these kinds of "this doesn't work, bye" kind of parting shot posts, is why we care if they leave or not? More than enough work here with those who stay and keep trying. Why bother with those who have already made the decision to move on? |
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Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:11 pm |
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| sbskeptic
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Hey, I didn’t mean to offend anyone with my post. I was only posting in case others were having poor results and thinking it was only them.
Cort, I did read Dr. Agatston’s book before starting the diet and spent quite a bit of time reading threads on this forum and those on the South Beach Online message boards during the past four weeks. I’m not sure why I can’t (as of yet) loose any weight, but I’m guessing it is probably a function of portion control, something in my metabolism, or a side effect of the Prednisone medication I'm currently taking. Part of the lure of the diet is that there is no calorie counting or portion measuring as long as you are eating the right foods. In Phase 1, I only ate what was on the approved list and tried my best to limit my portions. I always felt hungry but dealt with it. For my two weeks in Phase 2, I again only ate from the approved list and seldom felt satisfied. Another lure was that weight can be lost without an exercise plan, so to answer your question; my only exercise comes from baseball, softball and recreational swimming, nothing formal or regimented.
I am a 49 year old male, 5’8”, 190lbs. I carry most of my excess weight in my stomach. My past eating habits were typical “bad”. A lot of processed foods, white bread along with some whole grain bread, jams, pasta, some potatoes, etc., but I have always eaten a lot of fruits and vegetables and mostly low fat meats. While reading the South Beach Diet book, it seemed as if the book was written for me. The physiology of the diet makes perfect sense to me and I was anal about staying with the diet and not cheating. I thought the pounds would fall off quickly. I registered on this forum after being on the diet for three weeks, thus the “SBSkeptic” username, I am not bashing the diet, I’m just saying that it isn’t working for me. I see no reason the diet wouldn’t work for the majority of people and I am sincere in wishing everyone luck.
Nessa, thank you for your thoughtfulness, but I really don’t feel let down. I am disapointed that it's not working, but my feelings are more "it is what it is". I agree that the diet itself is not hard work, but the change from past eating habits and fighting off the cravings can be hard for some. I wouldn’t dismiss the effort that I’m sure some have to put in to make the transition to a lifetime of SB eating habits. I plan on continuing to eat as closely to the SB plan as feasible, but just not as strict as I’ve been. I need to loose the weight, so I’ll go back to my tried and true method of getting back to the gym, it’s just hard with three little kids to find the time. I’ll stay in touch with this forum and if I start to see any weight loss, I’ll certainly post it.
RedSox, “guess it doesn’t…” not a very apathetic response for a Moderator. You seem a bit angry. Again, I didn’t mean to offend anyone I was just reaching out. |
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Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:17 pm |
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| Reignking
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IMO, with your stats and history, I would expect you to lose that 8-12 in P1 -- simply based on my experience. YMMV of course.
I agree -- SBD won't work for everybody. Why? Who knows? But if you were to post your menus, we might be able to target some problems. You might be eating something that you shouldn't. Perhaps your portions are too large -- temporarily calorie counting might benefit you.
Or maybe your scale needs a new battery ;) |
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Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:38 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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I think we need to define working.
I also think that RK may (just this once) be right and we need to see detailed menus and water consumption.
remember that SBD was designed to improve blood work, weight loss is secondary... therefore you don't know if it's working on your blood or not.
and that although exercise is not needed AT FIRST, i'm gonna tell you, you gotta move a decent amount to get the weight off.
I'm successful at SBD although not wildly. (many would beg to differ) I've lost over 50 pounds in over a year. but what makes me successful is that I keep at it day after day after day.
ya gotta eat the right foods in the right amounts
ya gotta drink all the water you can
ya gotta get some exercise.
Quote: Hey, I didn’t mean to offend anyone with my post. I was only posting in case others were having poor results and thinking it was only them.
Dr A does address in the book that not everyone will lose on SBD. in which case you gotta figure out what to do to make it work? drink your water? Maybe. GET some exercise? perhaps....
Quote: I’m not sure why I can’t (as of yet) loose any weight, but I’m guessing it is probably a function of portion control, something in my metabolism, or a side effect of the Prednisone medication I'm currently taking.
or all of the above. Prednisone can do some interesting things to a body.
what does your doc say about you being on SBD?
Quote: Part of the lure of the diet is that there is no calorie counting or portion measuring as long as you are eating the right foods.
while there is no calorie counting, there IS portion control and this may be where you are getting off track.
Quote: In Phase 1, I only ate what was on the approved list and tried my best to limit my portions. I always felt hungry but dealt with it.
my 6'4" 400+ pound husband was never hungry on SBD... not in phase 1 or while following phase 2. in fact he felt it to be too much food.
can you tell us what you ate exactly? it would really help.
Quote: For my two weeks in Phase 2, I again only ate from the approved list and seldom felt satisfied.
two weeks into phase 2 isn't fully into phase 2 yet. you should at this point have one fruit and one grain/starch not even remotely close to a full phase 2
Again we really need to see what you are eating.
Quote: Another lure was that weight can be lost without an exercise plan, so to answer your question; my only exercise comes from baseball, softball and recreational swimming, nothing formal or regimented.
you are getting more exercise than I am. but to be honest exercise is important for many reasons and I think Dr. A. does us all a disservice by discounting it. in fact, i believe he knows this and has revamped his heart healthy book to reflect this new knowledge.
Quote:
I am a 49 year old male, 5’8”, 190lbs. I carry most of my excess weight in my stomach. My past eating habits were typical “bad”. A lot of processed foods, white bread along with some whole grain bread, jams, pasta, some potatoes, etc., but I have always eaten a lot of fruits and vegetables and mostly low fat meats.
ok so what did you change when you went on the beach... see I need to see exactly what it is you eating and drinking and when.
Quote: I’m just saying that it isn’t working for me.
Actually you don't know that it has not worked for you as you have not given it enough time. |
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Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:17 pm |
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| sbskeptic
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RK, I think I need a new scale altogether. I didn’t even know scales came with batteries.
I would now agree that I need to count calories, I think reading the SB book gave me a false sense of hope that that wouldn’t be necessary. I really thought the constant cravings for food would diminish as should be with Phase 1 completed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. My Prednisone prescription is likely the root cause. Not much I can do about that for now. BTW I did use LOOSE instead of LOSE. My bad, I'm usually more careful than that.
Nessa, thanks for breakdown. I’ll try to answer your questions as you spent some time thinking them through.
First of all, I would say 50lbs in a year is wildly successful. Congratulations and good luck if you are still moving towards your goal.
I haven’t posted my detailed menu because I’m being lazy about writing it out, but if it helps here are a couple of days in each phase.
Phase 1
Day 1
Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices Canadian Bacon, Glass of Vegetable juice (6-8 oz)
Snack: Wedge of Laughing Cow cheese slices of raw pepper
Lunch: Salad (lettuce, tomato, pepper, cucumber) with can of tuna in water, Olive oil and red wine vinegar
Snack: Cottage cheese
Dinner: Grilled chicken (2 cutlets = maybe one full size chicken breast) with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
Desert: Low-fat plain yogurt with Splenda and cinnamon spice.
Day 2
Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices Canadian Bacon, Glass of Vegetable juice (6-8 oz)
Snack: Wedge of Laughing Cow cheese on celery sticks
Lunch: Salad (lettuce, tomato, pepper, cucumber) with 97.5% fat free turkey breast sandwich meat (2 slices), Olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Snack: Cucumber slices
Dinner: Grilled Salmon steak with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
Desert: Low-fat ricotta cheese
Phase 2
Day 1
Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices Canadian Bacon, Glass of Vegetable juice (6-8 oz)
Snack: Low fat cheese stick
Lunch: Lunch: Salad (lettuce, tomato, pepper, cucumber) with can of tuna in water, Olive oil and red wine vinegar
Snack: Raw pear
Dinner: Dinner: Grilled Salmon steak with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
Desert: Sugar free chocolate pudding
Day 2
Breakfast: Bowl of Kelloggs All Bran with Extra Fiber with skim milk
Snack: Cucumber slices
Lunch: Can of tuna in a Whole wheat pita, Salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
Snack: Nectorine
Dinner: Grilled chicken (2 cutlets = maybe one chicken breast) or Grilled Salmon steak with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
Desert: 4 oz non fat yogurt with Splenda
My water consumption averaged no more than 24 oz per day.
Hope that helps
As far as the Prednisone is concerned: my appetite exploded when I started to take it, I am on reduced amounts right now but it still controls my appetite. I may have lost five pounds of fat for all I know and gained five pounds of water. And I have no idea what my blood work may be like now compared with 4 weeks ago. I did not and have not consulted with my doctor regarding the diet. I have a follow-up appointment with him next week and plan on discussing it with him then.
Exercise – As with portions, the SB book gave a false sense of hope regarding exercise, again no free lunches here. I will get moving on this, some how, some way.
What I changed from my past diet regiment was removing completely any processed grains and quite a bit of fruit. It wouldn’t have been a stretch for me to eat a sleeve of Ritz crackers with jam, a bunch of grapes, a nectarine, and an apple all in one evening. The only beverage I cut out is Skim milk. Before starting SB I only drank either Skim milk or water, now only water.
To try to summarize, the SB diet I believe is an excellent way of eating for life. I read the book and agree with its philosophy. As far as weight loss for me it hasn’t had positive results. I’m not saying I’m not healthier, I just haven’t lost any weight. I will continue to follow the basic principles because they make sense, but I won’t consider myself to be on the SB Diet. I may see weight related results when I am off the Prednisone, or I may not. My gut feeling right now is a course to a Modified SB Diet/Exercise Program. No offense to Dr. A, but maybe that should be a different forum… |
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Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:08 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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don't feel the need to respond line by line but it's my style makes it easier for me...
Quote:
RK, I think I need a new scale altogether. I didn’t even know scales came with batteries.
digital ones do. many analogs do not.
Quote: I would now agree that I need to count calories, I think reading the SB book gave me a false sense of hope that that wouldn’t be necessary. I really thought the constant cravings for food would diminish as should be with Phase 1 completed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. My Prednisone prescription is likely the root cause. Not much I can do about that for now. BTW I did use LOOSE instead of LOSE. My bad, I'm usually more careful than that.
it may not be time to count calories. it may however be time to follow the food template as outlined in the Newbie FAQ at the top of this forum. I think your hunger is prednisone... is there hope that you will be coming off of it soon.... maybe you can just hold your own till then....
Quote:
First of all, I would say 50lbs in a year is wildly successful. Congratulations and good luck if you are still moving towards your goal.
well if most folks think 1-2 pounds per week is successful i'm at about 1/2 pound a week.. but i find it easy this way so i'm happy... i'm about halfway done. the joy is that it's become a lifestyle change and I can live with it.
Quote:
Phase 1
Day 1
Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices Canadian Bacon, Glass of Vegetable juice (6-8 oz)
so far so good
Quote: Snack: Wedge of Laughing Cow cheese slices of raw pepper
good!
Quote:
Lunch: Salad (lettuce, tomato, pepper, cucumber) with can of tuna in water, Olive oil and red wine vinegar
good
Quote:
Snack: Cottage cheese
HOW MUCH? Cottage cheese is high in sodium. also was it 2% 1% OR FAT FREE? I'd add some veggies too.
Quote: Dinner: Grilled chicken (2 cutlets = maybe one full size chicken breast) with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar) \
i'd have a hot veggie too... and how much oil are you having? and 2 cutlets may add up to 9 oz. 3 oz is a serving. for a man 6 should be ok.
Quote: Desert: Low-fat plain yogurt with Splenda and cinnamon spice.
good choice....
Quote: Day 2
Quote: Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices Canadian Bacon, Glass of Vegetable juice (6-8 oz)
ok
Quote: Snack: Wedge of Laughing Cow cheese on celery sticks
ok
Quote: Lunch: Salad (lettuce, tomato, pepper, cucumber) with 97.5% fat free turkey breast sandwich meat (2 slices), Olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
sounds good remember that's 1 tablespoon of oil and i would think 2 slices would be 2 oz and that's not a lot... 3 oz is a good starting serving
Quote: Snack: Cucumber slices
good
Quote: Dinner: Grilled Salmon steak with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
again i'd add more veggies
Quote: Desert: Low-fat ricotta cheese
just fine
Quote: Phase 2
Day 1
Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices Canadian Bacon, Glass of Vegetable juice (6-8 oz)
just fine
Quote: Snack: Low fat cheese stick
gotta tell you i'm a 5'3" woman and one cheese stick wouldn't hold me as a snack. i'd add veggies.
Quote: Lunch: Lunch: Salad (lettuce, tomato, pepper, cucumber) with can of tuna in water, Olive oil and red wine vinegar
again as long as you have only 1 tablespoon of fat you are ok. (2 tablespoons if it's salad dressing)
Quote: Snack: Raw pear
should really have some fat or protein (peanut butter or cheese would work) with fruit esp at first. I had strawberries with ricotta
Quote: Dinner: Dinner: Grilled Salmon steak with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
gotta tell you, if you add a hot veggie you'll be fuller
Quote: Desert: Sugar free chocolate pudding
a sweet treat... but nutritionally rather skimpy. i'd have something more substantial.
Quote:
Day 2
Breakfast: Bowl of Kelloggs All Bran with Extra Fiber with skim milk
where are your veggies and where is your protein?
Quote: Snack: Cucumber slices
oy vey... ok here i see a huge problem so far you've had nothing of substance today. cold cereal does not hold me. not in the proper serving size. that's why i have hot oatmeal and a banana for breakfast with my v8 AND an egg. every workday morning,.
then you have a snack that is essentially water.. maybe you need to add some hummus to that cucumber. no wonder you were hungry!
Quote: Lunch: Can of tuna in a Whole wheat pita, Salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
2 grains in one day and you are only in phase 2 a week... i think it might be too many grains too soon. fwiw i ONLY HAVE GRAINS or starches twice a day... breakfast and lunch... and rarely wheat... oatmeal daily and dinner is either sweet potato or quionia...
Quote: Snack: Nectorine
again fruit without something fatty or protein will leave you hungry. maybe mix it with some plain yogurt?
Quote: Dinner: Grilled chicken (2 cutlets = maybe one chicken breast) or Grilled Salmon steak with salad (olive oil with balsamic vinegar)
you are really light on dinner 6 oz of protein a salad is my standard lunch. i would be hungry. add another veggie...
Quote: Desert: 4 oz non fat yogurt with Splenda
not bad...
Quote: My water consumption averaged no more than 24 oz per day.
even doubled that's only 48 and that's still too low. i shoot for 3-4 liters a day!
Quote: Hope that helps
it does
you're too light on water
you're light on veggies
i see limited dairy
i see NO beans
Quote: As far as the Prednisone is concerned: my appetite exploded when I started to take it, I am on reduced amounts right now but it still controls my appetite. I may have lost five pounds of fat for all I know and gained five pounds of water. And I have no idea what my blood work may be like now compared with 4 weeks ago. I did not and have not consulted with my doctor regarding the diet. I have a follow-up appointment with him next week and plan on discussing it with him then.
i hope you can come off of the pred soon. it's killer and yes it does make you hungry... and it blows you up....
good luck with the doc...
Quote: Exercise – As with portions, the SB book gave a false sense of hope regarding exercise, again no free lunches here. I will get moving on this, some how, some way.
dude i was nearly 300 pounds, nearly 50, under 5'3", i have a six inch plate and six metal screws holding a leg together. my idea of exercise is jumping to conclusions... if i can move anyone can move.
I was just diagnoised with a bone cyst. no impact exercise is all i can do. that means no walking for exercise, no running, no treadmill, no eliptical no arc trainer etc. i also can no do free weights on my feet.... limitations abound... you still find a way.
Quote: I changed from my past diet regiment was removing completely any processed grains and quite a bit of fruit. It wouldn’t have been a stretch for me to eat a sleeve of Ritz crackers with jam, a bunch of grapes, a nectarine, and an apple all in one evening. The only beverage I cut out is Skim milk. Before starting SB I only drank either Skim milk or water, now only water.
2-3 cups of dairy per day is allowed have your skim milk in addition to your water.
switch from ritz to triscuits but not a whole sleeve (i could do two easily) have 15 thin crisps with hummus... yummy... after you are fully in phase 2 and exercising all that fruit should be fine....
Quote: To try to summarize, the SB diet I believe is an excellent way of eating for life. I read the book and agree with its philosophy. As far as weight loss for me it hasn’t had positive results. I’m not saying I’m not healthier, I just haven’t lost any weight.
probably because you aren't eating enough... and you for sure are not drinking enough water (it takes time to get used to it... over a year for me to build up)
Quote: I will continue to follow the basic principles because they make sense, but I won’t consider myself to be on the SB Diet.
i eat whole foods. i follow the guidelines... i never consider myself on the SBD.... diet's don't work. why only follow the basic principles. find what works for you and do it. everyone I Know who succeeds on SBD is on their own personal version of the plan.
Quote: I may see weight related results when I am off the Prednisone, or I may not. My gut feeling right now is a course to a Modified SB Diet/Exercise Program. No offense to Dr. A, but maybe that should be a different forum…
DR A. is NOT Here. and i don't know anyone who's long term who follows the plan to the letter. I sure don't! |
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Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:13 am |
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| hot40something
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SBSkeptic,
I too, was on a very high dose of Prednisone for many months. I started at 143 lbs. I got pregnant and was 174 when my DD was born. 3 months later, a condition I developed caused me to go on the pred. At that time I was 147 (5 lbs to my pre preggers weight) Because of taking it, I ballooned up to 167!!!
Not only did it cause my appetite to increase more than when I was pregnant, I also could not sleep at all. I developed the moon face and the pred hump on my back. It was awful. I look back at pictures from that time and I think I am unrecognizable.
Now, don't quote me on this, but your doctor may be able to tell you more, that the water weight you gain is intra cellular rather than inter cellular. This is a very different way to retain the water and is hard to get rid of.
I give you credit for sticking to the WOE through all this. My craving were so intense back then (and I felt very sorry for myself and was scared about my condition which I am sure caused a lot of emotional eating).
Since you have been doing this will on the Pred., YOU HAVEN'T GAINED ANY WEIGHT. I think that is a success on its own.
Maybe if you keep it up, after you are off the Pred., the weight may start to come off. I will warn you, however, that the effects of the Pred can take a while to wear off.
Good luck to you, |
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Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:00 pm |
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| Kimboroni
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I think the biggest problem (which Nessa touched on several times) is the lack of quantities. If you know you're following the guidelines but just didn't put those amounts down, that's one thing, but if you're just pouring on olive oil with no concept of how much you're using, that's potentially a big problem. It isn't about rigorous calorie counting, but about having a general idea of good portion sizes. The meal templates really help with that.
That said, I think the meds are probably the biggest issue. Prednisone is the stuff we gave to one of our cats to help her gain weight. |
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Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:26 am |
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| cortcase
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| This is a bit belated, but just wanted to say to the original poster, sorry if my first post sounded harsh. Once in awhile a "drive-by poster" will come by just to say SB sucks just to be a jerk. ;) Obviously, that's not the case here — sounds like you're really trying and interested in the SB WOE. I don't have anything to add to the others' advice, but I wanted to wish you luck. I hope it starts working for you soon. |
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Sat Sep 08, 2007 4:25 pm |
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| brnsgr78
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| You work out too much to eat this little. Don't be scared to eat. Second, really first. You are on a medication that should make you gain weight but you are not gaining. I say until you can get off the medication stick with it just to maintain and then hopefully you will start losing. I think the protien with veggies and fats are needed. I could never in a million years just eat cucumber for a snack. Hope you see some progress soon. |
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Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:58 pm |
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| sbskeptic
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Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and concerns.
I think the three critical factors here in my lack of weight loss are: Not enough exercise; portions (not sure if I'm eating too much or not enough); and medication (Prednisone).
Since I can't do anything about taking Prednisone for the time being, I have to look at the other factors. I actually think it would be harder for me to regulate my portions than it would be to start a more consistant exercise program. So that is where I'm going with this.
After reading books and article after article on SB, Atkins, and other nutritional recommendations, and in reading the successes posted in this forum and in other forums, it makes the most sense to me to go to a well balanced diet low in saturated animal fats, and high in fruits, vegetables and high-fiber-containing carbohydrates like beans and whole grains to obtain health and exercise to obtain weight loss.
I'll stay in touch with this forum and post if I have any progress or failure in weight loss.
Good luck to everyone, I sincerly would like to see everyone succeed in their goals. |
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Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:07 pm |
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