South Beach Conclusion

Today ends my 2 week introduction to the South Beach diet, so I thought I'd post a little something. No, this doesn't mean the diet ends today - just means I'll be going back to a more normal way of eating (can't say that I'll be having eggs for breakfast any time soon). Here's what I've learned:
- My belly is still there. I did loose some weight, but the belly (which Michael, my youngest, enjoys playing with -- always sweet!) is still there. On to phase two of my plan - returning to sit-ups and working out in earnest.
- While I figured out how to improve my energy level and get rid of the nausea (drink lots of water, eat more snacks), I'm still very drained. Hoping that goes away once I return some carbs to my diet!
- Didn't find too many outstanding veggie recipes, but did find a fun recipe blog(Kaitlyn's Kitchen)and am more willing to cook with fresh veggies now. I also learned that I just need to eat more veggies at meals, rather than skimping on that so I can fit more noodles!
- I think my cravings have improved. I don't find myself "needing" a cookie in the afternoon - I'm ok with grabbing another kind of snack. That is probably my biggest victory!
- I'm drinking more caffeine (not good), but I'm liking cheese again. Why is this amazing? Because both used to upset my stomach, and now they don't. Weird, but I'll take it!

So, that ends my South Beach saga for now . . . I'll let you know if I learn anything else new in the future!

South Beach Diet

Yes, I have decided to go on a diet. I swore I would never go on a "diet," per say - that I would just eat healthy and exercise, and be happy with myself as I am. But, two babies does a number on your body - both in terms of it's shape, and in what you ingest! So, I have decided to tackle a diet for two reason: (1) to see if I can get rid of my "baby belly"; and (2) to re-train myself on how to eat healthy (and not need a cookie every afternoon!). I picked the South Beach diet because it seemed the least "diet-ish" (I love food and abhore the idea of drinking a shake in place of food for a meal; and I know how obsessed I become with things so counting calories would become a new religion for me!). Also, since one of my goals is to retrain my eating habits, I picked a diet that would introduce me to some new recipes involving something I'm awful at cooking - vegetables! And, I picked it because my mom and dad already did it, they had the book, and they seemed to like it (so, built in support system)! So, enter "THE DIET."
Yesterday, the boys and I spent 2 hours at Wal-Mart (woohoo!) collecting veggies I had never bought in my life, and fish (also something I've never learned how to cook, so I'm excited!). Then, last night, I stayed up until 11:30 cutting up veggies and getting salads and side dishes as prepared as I could (since one of the complaints I've read about this diet is it is time consuming). I'm using the menu recommended in the book because I'm lazy, and because I'm a rule follower and I couldn't figure out how to follow the rules without cooking explicitly what the author said. You should see our fridge - we've never had this many veggies in there in my life!!! But, I'm excited to give this a real shot, so I'm in full-force "rule-following mode"!
It is now afternoon on day #1 and I haven't had any trouble sticking to it (!). I'm a bit hungry right now, but I think it's just because I'm craving my afternoon sweets. One weird thing I've noticed is that things taste better, or at least stronger. Weird, I know. I don't think I'll have much trouble committing to the first 2 weeks - it doesn't sound like much fun, but I know I can do it (I tend to be stubborn that way). The challenging part, I think, will come in figuring out how to change my lifestyle to fit in with what I'm learning. But, we'll "worry" about that day when it comes. For now, day 1 is well underway and I'm excited to cook salmon for the first time tonight!