Compare Diets
Introduction:
 I 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.
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Slim Fast
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Weight Watchers
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South Beach
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Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle
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How Easy is the plan to Follow?
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Very Easy: Two Slim Fast Meal Replacement Shakes or Bars per day and a reasonable dinner.
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Moderate: Have to count points and write down what you eat all day long.
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Moderate: You must follow a menu plan, or revise it yourself according to rules. (See my phase 1 simple rules.)
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Moderate: You must exercise and count calories and eat according to a diet “template”.
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Hunger Experienced
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High
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Depends on what foods you choose
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Low (though no diet is completely without hunger!)
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Low (though no diet is completely without hunger!)
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Cost
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$1 per day. The slim fast products are $2 per day, but you are replacing food with them, so I cut that in half.
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$2 per day based on weekly cost for meetings of $15.00
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$15 for the book. Your grocery bill will probably go up due to eating lots of high quality meats/fish and salad/veggies!
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$39.95 for the e-book. Like South Beach, your grocery bill will probably go up due to higher quality foods.
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Weight Loss Acheived
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1 pound per week
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1 pound per week
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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.
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This diet got me off my recent plateau :-) and I am now losing 1 pound per week again, plus it builds muscle.
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Learn More about Each Diet Plan:
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Running a 10k