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Thursday, 11 March 2010
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Monday, 23 June 2008

Introduction:

South Beach DietI started my weight loss journey by doing the Weight Watchers and Slim Fast diets. While I was able to lose one pound per week on these diets - I was always hungry.   I noticed that when I chose low carb foods in my diet, I was not so hungry. So,  I set out to find a healthy low carb solution, and discovered the South Beach diet.  I decided to try it, and have continued my 1 pound per week (as long as I also count calories) weight loss on South Beach, without the constant hunger.

I have recently found a diet which I think pulls together all the things I have been doing the last few years, and then some!  It’s called Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle.  Their website is kind of tacky, but the e-book is right on target, in my opinion. The e-book talks alot about setting goals and making commitments. It also talks about counting calories and exercising.  The food choices are very similar to South Beach: healthy carbs in limited quanitities, lean proteins, some good fats, lots of veggies.

Also, be sure to read my recent article: The Big Picture !

Below is a table comparing the diets I have tried.   This is based on my own experience with these diets.  I was able to lose 1 pound per week. 

 

Slim Fast

Weight Watchers

South Beach

Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle

How Easy is the plan to Follow?

Very Easy: Two Slim Fast Meal Replacement Shakes or Bars per day and a reasonable dinner.

Moderate: Have to count points and write down what you eat all day long.

Moderate: You must follow a menu plan, or revise it yourself according to rules. (See my phase 1 simple rules.)

Moderate: You must exercise and count calories and eat according to a diet “template”. 

Hunger Experienced

High

Depends on what foods you choose

Low (though no diet is completely without hunger!)

Low (though no diet is completely without hunger!)

Cost

$1 per day.  The slim fast products are $2 per day, but you are replacing food with them, so I cut that in half.

$2 per day based on weekly cost for meetings of $15.00

$15 for the book.  Your grocery bill will probably go up due to eating lots of high quality meats/fish and salad/veggies!

$39.95 for the e-book.  Like South Beach, your grocery bill will probably go up due to higher quality foods.

Weight Loss Acheived

1 pound per week

1 pound per week

6 pounds for the first 2 weeks, then 1 pound per week afterwards.

I found that with the SB diet, I have to count calories and stay within 1200-1400 range to keep up with a 1 pound per week weight loss.  Otherwise, it’s too easy to eat too many calories in nuts and cheese.

This diet got me off my recent plateau :-) and I am now losing 1 pound per week again, plus it builds muscle.