The bottom line? It’s all about the calories. Both curbing calories and exercising more are both equally effective for losing weight. If you are not able to exercise as much, you have to cut your caloric intake. I think the South Beach is a good way to start. It is set up in 4 phases. Phase 1 is a 2 week FAST of carbohydrates. That means…..NO bread, NO sweetened anything (tea, soft drink, dessert, etc), and they even say NO fruit because of the high fructose…but it is only for 2 weeks. Basically during that time you only eat vegetables and meat and drink water, unsweetened or splenda sweetened drinks. I think we did eat sugar-free pudding on occasion for dessert. It was really hard to stay on it, but it really works. However, I might add that the Tufts research says this initial weight loss is mostly water-weight, but I think the fast also helps you quit craving sweets. After 2 weeks you can introduce fruits and whole wheat bread in moderation….that is to last for about 3-4 week. After that you may introduce a greater variety of carbohydrates. The recipes in the book are good. Gilbert and I really didn't stick with phase 3 or 4, but tried to maintain/blance our carbohydrate intake and exercise. I do think that in addition to the carb-cuts, it is best to cut the saturated fats and CUT OUT the trans-fats which South Beach doesn't emphasize. We're still working on these "life style" changes, i.e. taking in fewer calories than we expend!!! Here's what the Tufts University School of Nutrition says about South Beach...they point out the inconsistencies in the science.....I tend to agree with their analysis, but I don't think it hurts to use it as a "jump start" cut-out-the-sweet method for dieting. PS Of course, this as well as any type of weight-loss dieting "advice" should only be followed by non-pregnant, non-nursing women :-). |
Weighing In On the
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