The number of people suffering from obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions and the occurrence of related ailments, including prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, has increased as well (although, according to a recent report from the American Heart Association, the relative rate of death attributable to cardiovascular disease has declined by nearly 33 percent). Two critical steps in leading a healthy lifestyle are to follow a healthy eating plan and to exercise regularly, so you’re off to a good start with the South Beach Diet.
But remember, the South Beach Diet is about far more than just achieving your weight-loss goals. As you make the diet your lifestyle, you’ll also improve your health and energy and renew your confidence. That said, it’s always good to reflect on what it takes to get there. Here are 5 guidelines to take to heart:
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Stick
to a healthy eating plan.
The South Beach Diet is all about incorporating more healthy foods into your
diet without sacrificing taste. With the daily release of new and
often-conflicting studies telling you what’s good for you and what’s not, it’s
important to follow a realistic healthy eating plan that has stood the test of
time. About to celebrate its 10th anniversary, the South Beach Diet certainly
has.
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Try new
recipes to keep your diet fresh and exciting. Food boredom can often derail your weight-loss efforts.
Experimenting with recipes and ingredients you haven’t tried before will keep
mealtime interesting and make sticking to the diet easier and more enjoyable.
For easy Meal Plans and more than 1,000 recipe ideas, join the South Beach Diet
Online Program.
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Eat in
moderation, but don’t deprive yourself. It’s important to think about portion size at mealtime, but
if you get too caught up with “rules” you can set yourself up for failure. One
of the benefits of the South Beach Diet is that you can enjoy healthy meals
without having to count or measure. While we all know that calories do count,
we don’t expect you to count them, or grams of fat or carbohydrates, or
anything else. That’s because counting just isn’t conducive to a pleasant
lifestyle. In addition, because you’ll be including a protein- and fiber-rich
midmorning and midafternoon snack along with the occasional dessert, as is
encouraged on the South Beach Diet, you’ll feel satisfied all day and evening
long. If you’re on-the-go and don’t have time to prepare a healthy snack before
heading out, our South Beach Diet 100-Calorie Snack and Protein Fit Bars are a
convenient way to make strategic snacking part of your day. They are good
sources of protein and fiber and can be eaten starting on Phase 2. Keep some
South Beach Diet Bars at the office or in your gym bag, and stock up at home,
so you can grab them and go whenever you want.
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Pursue
an exercise plan that you can maintain. Getting regular exercise should be fun. Consider adding a
new activity like yoga, Pilates, swimming, or Latin dancing to your routine,
and then sign up for classes at a local Y or gym. Or try interval walking
outdoors in your neighborhood. You’ll find a complete interval-walking program
in The South Beach Diet Supercharged.
Whatever exercise plan you decide to undertake, be sure to create a schedule
that you can stick to and that will allow you to work out at least 20 minutes a
day.
- Seek out support. Look to your friends and family for encouragement. They may want to join you as you embark on your journey to a healthier life, but even if they don’t actively participate, they can still offer support. If friends or family aren't available, you can find a new friend to follow the plan with on the South Beach Diet Message Boards. Not a member? Join today!
