Since October 23 when I wrote my missive about not being able to eat what I want anymore, I went on the South Beach Diet. And when I weighed myself this morning, I clocked in at 225 lbs., which is 25 less than I was when I started. Not too shabby for about a month and a half (didn’t start until a week or two after the post).
I say I went on the South Beach Diet, but I only stuck to it strictly for the first two weeks. What’s followed has been more “inspired by the South Beach Diet,” but it’s worked. Instead of flogging myself for not sticking to it 100 percent, which would be near impossible right now with work catering three meals per day, I’ve broken it down to some core things to avoid:
- No refined grains (white bread, white rice, flour tortillas)
- No potatoes
- Cut out beer except on special occasions (yes, I had three beers at the office Christmas party.. and a lot more than that on my birthday… and three or four at our last podcast party… but the standard two beers after work and one with dinner is out)
- Avoid drinks with sugar added (no soda and grocery store fruit juices mainly, but also use Splenda in my coffee instead of sugar)
- Limited condiments… avoid ketchup, fatty or sugary salad dressings
- Eat fatty meats in moderation. Take the skin off chicken.
- Limit caffeine to just the one cup of morning coffee since caffeine increases insulin production.
And that’s mostly been it. I’ve broken plenty of rules.
- When on the South Beach, you’re supposed to limit fresh fruit intake because fruit has tons of natural sugar. But I eat as much fresh fruit as I want.
- They say limit starch intake, but I’ve not really paid much attention to how much bread I’ve eaten as long as it’s whole wheat. I don’t sit around and snack on it or anything, but I’ve had sandwiches for both lunch and dinner with no adverse effects from eating more bread than I’m supposed to.
- When we have pizza, I eat just the toppings, which means I eat a lot of fatty cheese I’m probably not supposed to be eating.
- See aforementioned special occasional beers.
- I even ate a cookie yesterday.
So, we’ll see if this continues to work. I’d like to be around 210 lbs., though I already feel a lot better at 225 than I did at 250. No carb comas (which may be diet as much as weight) and less heartburn (which I think is directly attributable to weight). Less feelings of sluggishness.
Congrats!
I’m down just over 20 since January 1, but that’s been a combination of “eating better” and working out.
Good job, Rusty. The first two weeks sucks… but after that, you basically have to find what works for you and your life style.
Thanks dude!
Here’s to your health!
Its all about finding things that work for you. Using a particular diet plan for a food base is good. But making your own personal adjustments to ensure your success is even better. That’s the start of a lifestyle change rather than just being on some temporary diet. Good on ya, mate!
I have no jackassery with which to respond to this. That’s kinda like a compliment, right?
I’m just starting a minor diet so I don’t gain any weight this winter. Have you tried the nothing with high fructose corn syrup diet? That helps keep you away from the worst offenders and forces you to look at labels and really learn about what you are eating.
I admit, based on your previous 250lb post, I was expecting you to be much less thin last night at Festivus. Good work!
Congrats, Rusty! And don’t stop eating fruit — that stuff is damn healthy, no matter what they say.
Woo hoo! Awesome job!
25lbs down is GREAT! Keep it up. I just started a diet too.