Read the South Beach Diet Book

I guess there's 2 ways to look at this.

Good way - more or less keto diet with allowance for "good carbs" to make it more palatible for the masses. Do a nice job of dispelling the obvious anti-fat myths like eggs are bad. Does a nice job of talking about some specific tough foods, ice cream etc... explianing what they do in your body. Very anecdotle for people who would find, say Ellis' style, too science. Full menus for thoses who like that.

Bad way - prone to failure. Once people get past the point where their following the menus to the T, they will start to do "their own" version and gain the weight back. It's a more forgiving diet which means you have less room to fall before it stops working. If after a month of Ellis or Atkins you decide you must have whole wheat toast in the morning and a few fries with your burger your still ok. If your already eating whole wheat toast, and an apple and yougart -your'e done.

No reason to even look at this one if you've read Ellis and/or Atkins.

Bill

[James Boelter]

I had no idea what the 'South Beach Diet' was, only that someone else was doing a modified Atkins thingie. I had no more reason to buy this book than I had to buy the latest Suzanne Somers "Eat and Cheat" style diet opus (nothing against Somers...she has her place in the fitness industry, even after the 'Thighmaster'), and now I have even less reason...but at least I now know what the heck it is!

[Mike]

I read about the South Beach diet in Men's Health. It seems to be just another low carb approach!

Jim,

Since I started moderating this part of the forum I'm trying to look at this stuff for my own FYI - in case some one asks. I draw the line at Dr. Phil though!

Bill

[Scott Sonnon]

Bill,
Everyone greatly appreciates all that you do here. I want to thank you for your efforts.

thanks Coach

[David Whitley, RKC]

Is there an explaination to the "lose belly fat first-GUARENTEED" statement i saw at the book store?

Complete non-sense

Fat is lost inexact reverse order of how it is stored.

In men that generally means belly, in women buts and thighs.

First on, last off - period.

I think their counting on the first blast of water loss to fool you into thinking that.

Bill

[Connie Brown]

Bill I respectfully disagree with you on this one.

The scenario you describe is true if the person does not have the particular abdominal fat that comes with excess insulin.

Disproportionate belly fat is a marker for excess insulin in most body types - it's a different quality from a healthy man's love handles. South Beach is an insulin-controlling plan and when a person fixes the insulin problem, the belly fat really does come off first.

And then with a working metabolism, what you say kicks in.

Connie

Connie'


Since i'm sure you have your facts right, one question; what % of the population is actually medically insulin sensitive to the point that they are outside the normal pattern.

I'm always a little wary of people using a condition they hear about as an excuse - it used to be "hormones"

Do you have any reading to recommend here?

Bill