Hello there! I am a fence sitter for the most part. I have come to this site and watched progress from others while I did my own thing. I am educated on the low carb ways and have done my fair share of research as well as follow the media hypes. My parents have tried Atkins and South Beach, my sister tried these also and found South Beach to be more of a pleasure. I have tried low carb atkins before and never lasted more than four days. I was 'out of it," and cranky from withdrawl. I was also 230 pounds. I started college last August and where I go to college, it is all HILLS. I huffed my way around orientation and nearly died. Well at least I felt like I died. I then realised " Lynda, Get off your butt and lose weight. Or look like an overweight woman struggling to get up the steps at campus amidst the young college kids." I went on low fat because I know it well and it has worked for me in the past. Well in the past I had two less kids and a lot more time. In the beginning I exercised daily. I spent an hour on the treadmill and did begin losing weight in a quick pace. I dropped 10 pounds in just under three weeks. After another 10 pounds were shed, I stalled. Through Christmas I was stagnant and still dedicated to diet. I was not exercising as much...too much else on my plate. I made a commitment to exercise at least three days a week, even if for just 20 minutes.
I continued eating low fat....I would consume this:
2 cups of coffee with two tbspn of sugar and creamer in am.
A bowl of cream of wheat.

Lunch, a bag of beef jerky (salt hell) or a lean cuisine pizza.
Snack-raisins.
Dinner-chicken breast with rice, corn, or mashed taters. (fat free)
Snack-I made fat free rice crispy treats..not too bad!

I have lost a total of 38 pounds in 5 months. It isn't a very bad loss. I have been teatering from 198-192 for the past two and a half months. Needless to say, I am frustrated. I have read the South Beach, Atkins diet revolution and even his newer revised book and the newer rendition of South beach. My doctor told me that I should do south beach.....she told me this after I confidently told her FAT FREE was for me. She nodded, smiled and said " You will cease to lose.....when you do, try SB."
So I have re-read the book and know that is a more restricted low fat diet. REally, it cuts bad carbs out, you eat low glycemic fruits and veggies and one can even consume milk and tomato juice.
When I attempt a low carb plan, i seemingly obsess over that which I am not supposed to have. It is almost like a security blanket of sorts. In reality, I know what is best...so it is time for me to hop off the fence and begin the healthy journey of a balance of good carbs and good fats.

I will need much guidence in the support sense since I am a procrastinator as well as a fence sitter.

i'm sure you saw elsewhere, but if you're going low carb, that first few days are the toughtest. if you want to give it another whirl but without the sugar withdrawl stuff, cut your carbs and nix the sugar over the course of several days. i was able to completely avoid that out-of-it sick feeling this time around by spending the week before ramping off the bad stuff...

and as long as you're telling yourself you are a procrastination and a fence-sitter, you will be, hon! until you decide to self-define differently. can't underestimate the power of your thoughts...

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A good "side effect" of this plan is that you will find you have a decreased appetite as time goes on...I even forget to eat sometimes when I'm really busy! Eating healthy fats not only keeps your tummy satisfied, it will supply your body with the cholesterol it wants....so it won't feel the need to manufacture it's own. This is where the cholesterol issues start. My levels went from 175 to 139 (total) within 5 month of starting my lowcarb plan a few years ago.

And being a student, this may interest you if you have any early morning classes: having fat and protein (and no sugar!) will help you stay awake alot better than a sugar/carb laden breadfast will.

If I ate what you ate for breakfast, I would fall asleep driving down the road! But, I'm more sugar sensitive than most.

I'm glad you made the decision, more or less, to join us....just get the book for the plan of your choice and keep it close. My best to you!

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We do have a forum on this site that supports South Beach, but I have to tell you my own personal experience...
JUST because low-fat has worked for you in the past, does NOT mean that is the *only* way for you to go.
I was a former low-fat dieter (Jenny Craig) and I, too, experienced HORRIBLE withdrawal when I started Atkins. But the induction sickness passes quickly (by day 5 most people feel considerably better) and then you get the big payoff for sticking with it. I have never lost like I lose on Atkins and I have WAY fewer cravings when following Atkins.
I have tried/experimented with various other LC plans, but those that are fairly low-fat or which are lenient on carb allowances always cause me to stumble. When I stay true to Atkins, I lose consistently and I don't suffer with food obsessions/cravings.
If you find this to be true for you on SB, I suggest you give Atkins another shot.
Just my humble .02

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Summer