User Review #42 by JNE on November 16th, 2008 at 2:11 PM CST

Name

I lost about 65lbs on South Beach Diet. The food was delicious and that helped because I looked forward to meals and my husband was very happy to eat the foods I was cooking, even though he had no need to "diet." It was also good that the food tasted great because, frankly, it's quite a bit of work. I spent a lot of time planning the week's menu on a weekend and then creating my shopping list. It took a little longer to shop, too, because I spent a lot of time choosing vegies and fruits. And cooking and prepping all my meals (including prep-ahead for snacks and lunch to take to work) required a fair bit of time in the kitchen. Having said that, I purchased the Quick and Easy (Yellow) South Beach cookbook and that helps cut down on all of that commitment. It also is relatively less expensive than the other SB recipes, which definitely increased my weekly food spend. I did not have any problem sticking pretty closely to the diet without cheating, even when going out to eat. I loved being allowed to have dessert (after the initial phase it is better than just jello and ricotta dessert) - the chocolate bananas and the pistachio bark are killer! Bottom line - I lost a lot of weight - 65lbs - (no exercise, just this diet) from October to May. I loved the food and would choose to eat it even if I wasn't dieting (!) and I think it is a healthy and long-term achievable plan. It probably will increase the amount you spend on groceries and the time you spend in the kitchen (I actually spent MORE time thinking about food on this diet than before then), but it is great-tasting, doesn't really feel like a diet (after the initial phase) and is easy to share with the others in your family (everyone loves the food and it doesn't seem diet to them). If you have limited funds and time, try it, but it may be more difficult to keep it up.

I lost about 65lbs on South Beach Diet. The food was delicious and that helped because I looked forward to meals and my husband was very happy to eat the foods I was cooking, even though he had no need to "diet." It was also good that the food tasted great because, frankly, it's quite a bit of work. I spent a lot of time planning the week's menu on a weekend and then creating my shopping list. It took a little longer to shop, too, because I spent a lot of time choosing vegies and fruits. And cooking and prepping all my meals (including prep-ahead for snacks and lunch to take to work) required a fair bit of time in the kitchen.

Having said that, I purchased the Quick and Easy (Yellow) South Beach cookbook and that helps cut down on all of that commitment. It also is relatively less expensive than the other SB recipes, which definitely increased my weekly food spend.

I did not have any problem sticking pretty closely to the diet without cheating, even when going out to eat. I loved being allowed to have dessert (after the initial phase it is better than just jello and ricotta dessert) - the chocolate bananas and the pistachio bark are killer!

Bottom line - I lost a lot of weight - 65lbs - (no exercise, just this diet) from October to May. I loved the food and would choose to eat it even if I wasn't dieting (!) and I think it is a healthy and long-term achievable plan. It probably will increase the amount you spend on groceries and the time you spend in the kitchen (I actually spent MORE time thinking about food on this diet than before then), but it is great-tasting, doesn't really feel like a diet (after the initial phase) and is easy to share with the others in your family (everyone loves the food and it doesn't seem diet to them). If you have limited funds and time, try it, but it may be more difficult to keep it up.

User Review #41 by Kathy on October 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 PM CDT

Name

I will be starting the South Beach diet in a few days. I want to make sure I have a menu plan before I start so I am not tempted to slip. I see a lot of people are losing around 20-25 lbs in total. I need to lose about 40lbs. Are there any suggestions on what to do when you are stuck in the 20-25lb range? I know I am kinda ahead of myself here since I have not even started yet but I am sure any tips will help keep me motivated.

I will be starting the South Beach diet in a few days. I want to make sure I have a menu plan before I start so I am not tempted to slip. I see a lot of people are losing around 20-25 lbs in total. I need to lose about 40lbs.

Are there any suggestions on what to do when you are stuck in the 20-25lb range? I know I am kinda ahead of myself here since I have not even started yet but I am sure any tips will help keep me motivated.

User Review #40 by LatinY on October 7th, 2008 at 10:14 AM CDT

Name

You will lose weight but again you have to plan ahead on how you are going to maintain the weight loss. Maintenance is the hardest part. I tried South Beach several years ago and lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. I didn't have a maintenance plan that I was going to stick to and so I gained weight back.

You will lose weight but again you have to plan ahead on how you are going to maintain the weight loss. Maintenance is the hardest part. I tried South Beach several years ago and lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. I didn't have a maintenance plan that I was going to stick to and so I gained weight back.