South Beach Diet – Phase 2, End of Week 1 Checkpoint

Posted on | December 27, 2008 | 27 Comments |

After two weeks in phase 1, I have moved on to the more liberal version of the diet known as phase 2. In this phase, fruits and other healthy carbs like brown rice, whole grain bread and sweet potatoes can be reintroduced into the diet. And more importantly for me, phase 2 allows wine consumption.

Surprisingly I was not really craving carbs after two weeks of almost no carbs. I got so used to phase 1, I could go on it for another two weeks easily, but I am not sure if there might be any side effects of skipping carbs for that long. So I went and bought steel cut oatmeal, whole grain bread, brown rice and some fruits in preparation for the first week in phase 2. Being able to consume fruits is a big plus, as it make an instant snack at home and even on the go, you can find fruits practically anywhere.

Breakfast was one of the challenges in Phase 1. Eggs were my only option in phase 1, and I was really getting bored with the routine. Even though I have never liked oatmeal, I was looking forward to this non-egg option for breakfast allowed in Phase 2. But Oatmeal really let me down! Have you ever had oatmeal without sugar? Even though I added strawberries and walnuts it was still pretty disgusting. I don’t like any of the artificial sweeteners that are allowed in SBD, so my oatmeal breakfast lasted just one day. After that I switched to cantaloupe with fat free cottage cheese for breakfast, it tastes yummy and makes a quick meal, but it doesn’t keep me full for long. So back to eggs for me, until I did some research online and came across the best South Beach Diet resource out there – Kalyn’s Kitchen. I have been a visitor on Kalyn’s blog for a while, but I never really noticed the emphasis on South Beach Diet before, as her recipes all look so delicious, not at all diet-food like. Anyway, Kalyn is an amazing South Beach success story, and she has featured Agave Nectar as a South Beach friendly natural sweetener due to its low Glycemic index. I’ve been using Agave nectar for a while, but never really connected the dots with SBD, but thanks to Kalyn now I know. Oatmeal doesn’t taste all that bad with a little bit of Agave nectar drizzled over, thanks Kalyn!

As far as other meals are concerned, I prepared long grain brown rice for lunch. I like brown rice in salads, but not that much with curries. Frankly, I’d rather have a salad and protein and skip the rice altogether, which is what I’ve been doing after that one meal with brown rice. I also have an occasional slice of whole wheat bread, but other than that I am pretty much doing phase 1 + fruits + wine in this phase.

A Phase 2 meal – Curried Trout with brown rice and cucumber-cherry tomato salad.

SBD - Phase 2 meal

Fish Curry – It is the same recipe as this one, with the addition of green bell peppers.
Salad – Sliced mini cucumbers and cherry tomatoes in a fat free yogurt + dill + salt and pepper dressing.

Weight loss has really really slowed down, I lost just 1lb this week. I guess that is the more natural and healthier way to lose weight, but that first week really spoiled me rotten. I have readjusted my expectations now, and as long as the weight keeps going down and not up I feel happy. Also, even though the scale is not showing it, my clothes fit much better now. And the claim on the cover of the book – “Lose Belly Fat First” is absolutely true.

Phase 2 – End of Week 1 stats

Target Weight Loss	17.5lb
Days on Diet	19
lbs lost so far	8
lbs to go	9.5

Category: Phase 2

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« « South Beach Diet – End of Phase 1| Happy New Year!!!!! » »

Comments

27 Responses to “South Beach Diet – Phase 2, End of Week 1 Checkpoint”

tbc
December 27th, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
Reply

You last 8 lbs in 19 days, Sig?! That is commendable!
I have not been following this space lately as much as I would have liked to. I seem to have missed a number of posts here. Life gets in the way sometimes, you know.
Anyway, just stopped by to wish you both the very best for the holiday season. Have a wonderful year ahead!
priscilla
December 27th, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
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wow,keep them coming. I am now hooked on to your updates. Thanks for the tip on agave nectar. And I always thought Oatmeal was not SBD friendly, esp during Phase 1.
- sig
  December 27th, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
  Reply
  
  Oatmeal is not allowed in phase 1 , only in phase 2 which is where I am now.
nikki
December 27th, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
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You are inspiring me so much. I love ur blog. Will take guidelines from ur blog to loose weight.All the best wishes for the coming year.
nags
December 28th, 2008 @ 12:09 am
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8 pounds already?? wow! way to go!
sra
December 28th, 2008 @ 9:35 am
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I am jealous of your weight loss. This said after dinner of veggie pulao, two types of lamb, palak paneer and baklava – shared by six of us – I have family visiting!
sra
December 28th, 2008 @ 9:36 am
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Happy New Year!
Anju
December 28th, 2008 @ 9:37 am
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Sig,

i am a regular reader of your blog. i too hate oatmeal, but recently i have started making oats upma with steal cut oats. its not bad..i put lot of veggies and make upma as usual…maybe you can try that variation. A google search should get you some recipes…take care..anju
sk
December 28th, 2008 @ 9:51 am
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Hi Sig,

I am a regular on your blog, nice recipes and now SBD has me hooked on, may be I will get inspired to lose a few pounds in the new year , In phase 2 as yor are allowed fruits try oatmeals with them. All the best !!!
Kalai
December 28th, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
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You are so inspiring, Sig! Sounds like things are going strong for you. You go, girl!
Sanya
December 28th, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
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Good going. Not to be a downer but ….when i was on south beach i lost about 20 lbs in 2 months…..and then began phase 3….and then those pounds slowly but steadily started to sneak back up..all 20 of those …Then i went back to the drawing board and good old sensible eating and workout worked for me…
Gowri
December 28th, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
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Sig,
Good going!
To make oatmeal more palatable, try making it like upma. It really tastes good with some green chillies and onions. Even my hubby who hates oatmeal enjoys “oatmeal upma”. Good Luck!
Raaga
December 28th, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
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I eat oatmeal with salt and molaga podi… no sugar at all… try it

Also, try cracked wheat instead of rice with curries… works well most of the time.
sunita
December 29th, 2008 @ 1:54 am
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Wow Sig! You’re doing really well. Kudos to you
Jyothsna
December 29th, 2008 @ 3:17 am
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I actually like oatmeal with fruits and no sugar in it Maybe you should post a picture and make us envy how slim you’ve become!:)

Glad you’re sticking to your diet, I’m sure I couldn’t do that! Happy New Year to you!
Mamatha
December 29th, 2008 @ 5:56 am
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I’m following your updates like one would of their favorite sport team, to see if they have scored yet another goal, or taken yet another wicket. Great going Sig. Yeah, before and after pictures are in order.

As for having starch with curries, would Rosematta or Quinoa work, are they SBD friendly?
- sig
  January 4th, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
  Reply
  
  Hi Mamatha, sorry I missed this question before. Quinoa is definitely SBD friendly, as far as Rosematta rice is concerned, I am not sure. I am pretty sure it is, but I couldn’t find any info anywhere.
Mamatha
December 29th, 2008 @ 6:20 am
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And my mum makes this oatmeal porridge, that tastes very refreshing and could be an alternative to your regular breakfast. Cook oatmeal with water according to instructions. Cool it and add cold buttermilk. Add finely chopped onion and ginger. Add salt to taste.
Sangeetha
December 29th, 2008 @ 11:17 am
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Hi Sig,
Great going. I went on South beach last year and lost 6 pounds on phase one, but I let Phase 2 slip and went to India for a vacation and ever since my south beach diet has been on a vacation too. With the 2009 around the corner and having gained all the lost pounds, I plan to start south beach again.
Here’s an oatmeal recipe that fakes curd rice. I use instant oatmeal and cook it with enough water and flax seed powder for a minute or so and let it cool a bit. Then add 2 TBS of yogurt and salt as needed and give a quick blend in a magic bullet or a blender, You can use half a tsp of pickle if you like it a little spicy. Hope this helps.
Uma
December 29th, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
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A very happy new year 2009 to you and your family dear Sig!
sandeepa
December 30th, 2008 @ 6:23 am
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Happy New Year Sig. Have a great year ahead with lots more of your delish food, fun and good health and everything else you wish for
You lost 8lbs in 19 days !!!!!!!!!
mandira
December 30th, 2008 @ 7:29 am
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wow, 8 lbs in 19 days, that’s amazing! Well diet or no diet the trout curry looks fabulous

Happy New Year to you and Siv!
Laavanya
December 30th, 2008 @ 11:40 am
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Happy New Yer Sig. Best wishes to you for reaching your target soon.
Ashima Taneja
January 1st, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
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Happy new year Sig ……… your dedication to lose weight made me make a new year resolution to do yoga everyday ….. I hope I do it regularly …….

congrats on losing 8 lbs and I am sure you will reach your target soon
sig
January 1st, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
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Thank you all for your words of encouragement… and all the oatmeal recipe suggestions. I gotta try some of these!
Wishing you all a wonderful 2009!
-Sig
Indian Girl
January 7th, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
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Ooh let me put in my 2 cents too. I LOVE Oatmeal. Sometimes I even have cravings for it. But then its terrible no sugar / substitutes is allowed in SBD I make mine with milk, Sugar sub, loads of raisins, pecans, almond slices, apricot bits, dried cranberries. Turns out yummy !
- sig
  January 11th, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
  Reply
  
  Thanks Indian Girl… SBD does allow sugar substitutes, I am not a fan of the artificial sugar subs though… But I can use Agave nectar… This one sounds delicious…