South Beach Diet Success Story

Steve D.- South Beach Diet Success Story

"With the success I'm having on The South Beach Diet™, I have to think of a different New Year's resolution!"
- Steve D., Phoenix, Arizona

South Beach Diet Success : Last year, my family and I visited a theme park in southern California. I had finally worked up the nerve to go on a ride I'd never been on, and as I lowered the safety harness, I realized I was too big to fit in the seat. They had to stop the ride and let me out. I had to walk in front of everyone. I was so embarrassed. That was it — that was the breaking point for me. When I got home, I weighed myself. I weighed 365 pounds. I have struggled with my weight since I was 10 or 11 and had tried to lose weight before, counting calories and going on Atkins — but had no success.

I was serious about losing the excess pounds, so I sought the advice of my family doctor. First, he ran blood tests to make sure there was nothing physically wrong. Once that was done, he recommended that I try The South Beach Diet™. I got online, signed up, and printed out the list of foods I needed to avoid and those I could have. That was the beginning of my journey. This was going to take time. It took me over 20 years to pack on the weight, and I knew it was going to take more than a few months to lose more than 100 pounds.

At first it was tough. I wanted so much to eat the foods I ate before, but after the first two days, I realized it was not going to be that bad. The first two weeks, South Beach Diet phase 1, flew by, and I lost 20 pounds. I couldn't believe it! I was enjoying my meals, and I was even trying new dishes that tasted great. Eating and cooking fish was a big step for me. Before the South Beach Diet diet, I really didn't know how to prepare it. But with the recipes that I found on the Web site, I found fish meals to be a nice change from my regular steak and potatoes. Now I really enjoy tilapia and salmon, South Beach Diet food, marinated in balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. I started working out and riding my bike. Five months later, I had lost over 60 pounds. For motivation, I took pictures of myself once a week so I could see the change in my body. It was so exciting. I also made smaller goals for myself, weekly weight-loss goals that were attainable and not far out of reach. I have missed my goals a couple of times, but for the most part, I met or exceeded them.

The support of my wife and family has been a big help. It is so easy to pick up fast food, but my wife reminds me of how much success I've had and how proud she is of my accomplishments. Then I know I shouldn't ruin it with a stop at the local burger place. Today, I am halfway to my goal of losing 120 pounds. I have more energy, I sleep better, and people are amazed at the amount of weight I've lost. I have reached plateaus, but I stick to the plan and the pounds start falling off again. January 1, 2005, is just around the corner. With the success I'm having on The South Beach Diet™, I have to think of a different New Year's resolution!

Favorite South Beach Diet snack: Sugar-free, fat-free chocolate pudding; sunflower seeds; and string cheese.
Favorite exercise: Working out with a personal gym machine.
Best compliment you've gotten: "I didn't even recognize you."

Most effective South Beach Diet strategy when facing temptation: A good friend taught me the phrase "I'll have some later." By the time later comes, the temptation has passed.

Best advice for other SB Dieters: It took years to pack on the weight — it's going to take months to get it off. Be patient, find someone to encourage you, and encourage those around you.

South Beach Diet Success - Joy V., Niceville, Florida

Joy V., Niceville, Florida - South Beach Diet Success

"I feel better than I have in years! Every day I am amazed at the energy I have and how much I'm enjoying life." - Joy V., Niceville, Florida - South Beach Diet Success

South Beach Diet Success Story

It all started as a surprise for my military husband who was working in the desert.

When I began married life more than 17 years ago, I weighed a slim 118 pounds, but after several moves, two children, and years of unhealthy eating, I had made it to 180 pounds. I was unhappy, uncomfortable, and had put myself into a trap of bad eating habits. I considered the Atkins diet because family members had successfully lost weight with it, but as I gathered information about it, I realized it wasn't for me. The fruit and pasta restrictions were a large drawback, and it didn't seem to be a very healthy diet.

At the beginning of 2004, my husband received a letter about his 20th high school reunion alongside orders for deployment. While he was gone, I began hearing about The South Beach Diet™ and how well it was working for some people in our church. I looked it up online and joined that night! Even though I knew my husband loved me no matter how I looked or how much I weighed, I wanted to wow him and his schoolmates. I decided that it would be a wonderful surprise for my husband to come home to a new woman, so I kept my South Beach diet experience a secret from him.

Expecting the huge sacrifices of a diet, I was pleasantly surprised by all the things I could eat. It was great to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks — and then dessert, too! The South Beach Diet recipes were difficult at first because I don't like to cook and have an egg allergy. This made following the daily menus hard, but I overcame the challenge by using the quick recipes and South Beach Diet recipe search features on the Web site. With these options, I was able to change items on the daily menus, replacing them with healthy alternatives.

The first two weeks on The South Beach Diet™ really helped me change the way I think about South Beach Diet food. It wasn't chips or candy I wanted, but fruit! I began Phase 2 slowly, as I wanted to make sure I made it to my mini-goal. After continued success, I gradually added fruits, brown rice, and whole-wheat pasta for the remaining few weeks before my husband's return. My children and I were amazed at how quickly we saw the weight loss. The best compliment was when my teenage daughter thought my new jeans were hers!

When it was time for my husband's return, I had lost 4 inches and more than 20 pounds. His reaction at the airport was definitely worth every minute of being on The South Beach Diet™! He noticed our children first as they ran toward him, but then he looked past them and caught sight of me. He later said that he had felt the same way when he saw me for the first time 18 years ago, when he thought I was the woman of his dreams. Not only had I lost weight, but I was totally reshaped with a new haircut and highlights, snug jeans, and high heels. He was totally taken by surprise. He also told me that he knew I had at least partly dieted for him and that it was the greatest surprise he had ever received. As we walked through the terminal with our children, he kept turning to look at me and saying, "Oh, wow!" A few weeks later, we went to his 20th high school reunion and had a great time.

Since my husband's return, I have continued to lose weight and am now less than 10 pounds from my final goal. I feel better than I have in years! Every day I am amazed at the energy I have and how much I'm enjoying life.

Favorite South Beach Diet snack: Sliced strawberries on a whole-wheat bagel.

Favorite exercise: I alternate between a great abdominal exercise video and a really, fun total-body exercise routine.

Best compliment: Definitely my husband's reaction to my South Beach diet weight loss!

Strategy to deal with temptation: Set "be seen" dates (to a movie, party, date, etc.) and a mini-goal. Specific goals really help when temptations arise.

Advice for other South Beach Dieters: No guilt. If you get off track for a meal or a day, it's okay! Consider it a treat for being good so far, and get back on track at the next meal or the next day.




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