It is important before starting any new eating program to check with your doctor regarding increases or decreases in certain food intakes and food sources. Remember: Consult your health care professional before starting an exercise program.
Every human body is different and reacts or responds at a different rate when subjected to a diet, exercise or other physical activity / element when compared to another. This is part of the reason that your body will respond differently compared to your peers when you all may be on a similar diet aiming to lose weight. The weight loss that you will experience will depend on a variety of factors such as the type of diet being followed, what food you eat, and at what times as well as the combination of foods you eat, to name but a few. While diets control what you eat and when it is important to note the different stages in the South Beach Diet as described below to know where it is you stand in the overall process.
In this initial stage of the South Beach Diet the results that you experience can be drastic and sudden as it is the start of a process that cleanses the body from the inside out. The cut from sugar and exclusion of carbohydrates will be the start of a process of learning which foods should be eaten and in what quantities. It does not mean that you can never have sugar or carbohydrates again – rather just in controlled portions. As weight loss is a primary concern of people on a diet this one has been formulated to achieve goals and then maintain the levels reached sustainably and healthily over time.
This first phase of the diet will seem hard as your body is deprived from the sugars and carbohydrates on which it was addicted. However, while this phase may seem difficult it will only be for 2 weeks for after that you move onto the next phase which does not have such strict control over food groups, but regulates the quantity that you can have. The second phase of the diet lasts for as long as it takes to reach your desired weight loss goal.
In some instances this will be for a few days – in others it may take a month or two – the point is that bodies respond differently and depending on your type the time you spend in this phase will differ. It will also be determined by how much weight needs to be lost – the more to lose the more there will be a need to stay in this phase. Over this time you will become accustomed to the lifestyle diet and learn about the quantities of food that can be eaten without affecting your weight. It must be noted that this is a process that is not meant to be rushed, but gradual and healthy.
While working through this stage with others you may find that you are able to lose weight quicker than they do, or oppositely, it may take you longer; this is not because they are following the program better than you are, it only means their body responds differently. This is not a time to become discouraged, rather a time to realize that your body is making adjustments to itself for the better and it is best not to rush this.
The above scenario may even be observed when two people are following the same diet eating plans. Realize that expecting your body to work wonders would not have worked in the past, so there is no reason to expect it to work wonders with you losing all the weight you want to in a week. Work through the process and achieve the goal healthily over a realistic period of time. Aiming for something that is not achievable in an unrealistic time frame and not in a sustainable manner will leave you feeling disappointed about the journey and deprived of reaching your goal.
This is a double negative situation as being disappointed with not getting to a goal can leave you feeling worse off and reverse any weight loss that was able to be achieved. Always be happy with progress as it is a step in the correct direction and realizing this will keep you on track to achieve your goal of weight loss. Remaining confident that you will get to where you want to be is part of the process, as you have to believe it will happen for it to start to happen.
You need to stay committed to the entire process, but by setting shorter term goals you will always have something that you can aim for which is within easier reach than the ultimate goal which may be some way off at the early stages. Keep this in mind when setting out where you want to be along the journey.
Once you have achieved your desired goal you enter the final phase of this diet program. This is known as stage 3. You will be required to stay in this stage for the rest of the time that you choose to follow the South Beach way of dieting. If you want to maintain the weight loss for the rest of your life that is how long you will be in the stage for. While this may seem hard to grasp at the early stages of the program once you have made the adjustments to your eating lifestyle it will become part of what you do and easy to keep on doing over a long period of time.
Thinking ahead to the outcome you want to achieve, and will achieve with dedication and planning realize how healthy you will be, the benefits from it and results you will achieve and this should keep you on track to reach your goal. It is not an overnight process but one that must be worked toward.
The South Beach Diet has helped millions of people across the globe to lose weight and feel great about the way they look. The diet may not be apt for everyone but it has been successful in providing wonderful results to many people worldwide.
You need to keep in mind the results of this diet vary from one person to the other. Do not let this disappoint you from following the diet till you succeed. Your view on eating will change completely once you start following the South Beach Diet, so do not waste any more time and start believing in a brand new and healthy lifestyle. You will start feeling better once you look better.
Information provided in this article is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.