South Beach Diet Plan

During the past 20 years, I have been trying to lose 20 pounds.  I could make the first 10 go away, but the second 10 refused to budge, no matter what plan I tried. So my weight was up and down within the first 10 lb area.
The last of July, I went to the doctor for physical problems and he advised me to do the South Beach diet plan. I had heard of it, but thought it was some fancy diet for rich people. It was actually started by a doctor in Florida concerned for his heart / diabetic patients.
August 1, 2018, I started the South Beach diet plan.
We went straight to the library from the doctor's office and checked out the cook book with an introduction to the program at the beginning. The librarian ordered the SB book from another library for me, also.
I did the Phase 1 for 14 days. I lost about 4-5 pounds. But, more importantly, I could tell I was slimmer around my mid section of my body. I had to take up some of my pants to make them slimmer.
But, most importantly, is what I cannot see, and that is how it is helping me with my symptoms. I had blood work done after the 2 weeks, and my levels were better than they were 6 months ago.
After going onto Phase 2, I gained back part of the weight, but am keeping off the inches, for now. I am being careful not to eat too much, but eat enough to get the nutrients I need. And eat the right foods that are on the list and avoid the other ones. And exercise, at least 30 min a day.
Well, that is so far on the South Beach diet plan. I plan to continue it and see what happens monthly and for my blood work a year from now. Yes, the doctor said I could go a year this time! Yea.

So …. Time will tell.

Update: What allergy?

Now, for a much glad-for bonus. I am coughing less. Even less than I was by coming off gluten for the last 3 years. With that, I was coughing about half as much. Now, even less! 

So, my question is what else that I came off the first week was causing my cough? Was it other grain than wheat/gluten? Rice was ok. Quinoa seemed to be ok. I was off all grains. But the second phase I added back in those two and seemed fine. Then for a day I tried oats and another day, corn. I still did not cough all the time, but was a bit congested in my chest. I will have to check that out over time, because it could also been other factors (smells, animals etc). 

Someone suggested milk. I thought about that, but I had milk products during that time. However, I did decide to stay off milk products this week and see what happens as I try the oats and corn again.

I was also off sugar, honey, raisins, figs, pineapple, potatoes and starchy veggies. 

I am using a little bit of honey when needed right now and it seems ok. 

I was at someone’s house with a dog Sunday, so now I am congested, and am delaying the tries until I don’t feel congested. Maybe tomorrow.

We went to Pizza Inn yesterday. I ate without worrying about it just to see. However, I did watch how much I ate. This morning I am more congested. Now, was it the milk products … or the wheat … or both?  ~~ sigh ~~

PRAISE - I have lost a couple more pounds!! It has been 6 weeks now.

February update:  As of November 2018, I had lost 10 pounds and 10 inches! Then I lost another pound, then stalled until this month, and I lost another pound. Which is ok, since you are supposed to lose slowly.

As I worked on the allergy problems, we decided that I could add oats to the no-no list. So, staying off wheat and oats and my coughing is almost gone when I stay off them. I am ok with it. The main wheat thing I miss is yeast rolls. I was surprised at the oatmeal. It's good for you, right? Oatmeal cookies, adding oats to whatever to have better health. So, that took some getting used to, but I have and feel so much better. I discovered that a blend of rice flour and garbanzo bean flour is the closest to making my bread items. I can finally have biscuits that taste good. Haven't tried yeast breads with it, though.
I am still doing Phase 2, but splurging sometimes so I don't feel deprived. I am almost at the weight I want to be, so it is worth it!

August 2, 2019
I came to a plateau in my losing weight, so am still just at the 10 pound loss. And when I measured July 31, I was at 8 inches loss instead of 10. I even tried to jump start it in various ways  during the last 6 months by changing my routine, but it did not work. I also went on Phase 1 twice to see if I could lose a few more pounds and inches, but it did not work.

One of the reasons they say you plateau is that you reached your ideal weight. Maybe. The reason I wanted to lose 5 more pounds was so I could 'play' within that 5 pounds and not keep fighting to keep the other 10 off. I thought it sounded like a good plan, but I guess my body does not want to cooperate.

So ….. I am telling myself that I need to be happy I lost the 10 pounds that I have been trying to lose for 20 years and be happy! And I am. So, I plan to be careful, but enjoy my new size! After all, the main goal of the 'diet' was to make me healthier. And blood work is in a month, so we shall see.