The South Beach Diet is designed to help you learn to eat a low-fat, healthful diet that focuses on whole grains for carbohydrate sources. The plan breaks down into three phases, with the first phase lasting two weeks. You follow the second phase until you reach your goals, and, after you meet your goal weight, you follow the third phase, which focuses on moderation. Most people follow low-carbohydrate diets like the South Beach Diet to see quick weight loss.
Claims
In the first two weeks of the South Beach Diet, called phase 1, Dr. Arthur Agatston, the founder of the plan, states that you should lose somewhere between 8 and 13 lbs. You should keep in mind that each person responds to diets differently, so you may not see this amount of weight loss in two weeks.
Healthy Loss
A health weight loss ranges from 1 to 2 lbs. weekly, and many people who see this steady weight loss have a greater likelihood of keeping the weight off, notes MayoClinic.com. During the second phase of the South Beach Diet, this is the weight loss you should see, according to the South Beach program.
Making It Work
To have the greatest chance of seeing this amount of weight loss during the first phase you should pay close attention to what you eat, taking care to avoid carbohydrates, fruits and other foods not allowed in this initial phase. Dr. Agatston says you do not need to begin an exercise regimen to see weight loss, but you may find that slowly increasing your physical activity, such as adding in a walk each day, will help you feel better and keep you moving toward your goal weight.
Considerations
Prior to starting a low-carbohydrate diet such as the South Beach Diet, discuss the plan with your health care provider. She can discuss the pros and cons of this type of diet and help you determine if this is the appropriate diet for you. She can also help you work out a way to gradually increase your activity level.
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