It’s always been tough for me to stick to a diet. But last year, my cholesterol levels were so high that my doctor gave me an ultimatum: I had six months to improve my cholesterol through changing my lifestyle or I would need to start taking medication. I chose the lifestyle route, but I wasn’t making much progress until I learned about the South Beach Diet Online Winter Challenge 2006, a 12-week program designed to help change the way you think about food while you improve your health and shed pounds. I still had three months before my next checkup, so I seized the opportunity because it was so loaded with support and the chance to win a prize.
Initially, I had some bad habits to break: vending machine snacks, soft drinks, and fast-food meals. But the Web site was so helpful with meal plans, healthy snack ideas, and tips for stocking your kitchen that I soon overcame these obstacles.
In Phase 1, I eliminated my daily consumption of two to three cans of sugary soft drinks, a huge accomplishment. By the time I reached Phase 2, I realized I had been a slave to cravings…because they were gone!
These days, I eat a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, and I make healthier choices when eating out (the Dining Out guide on the South Beach Diet Online site has really helped). I cook the delicious South Beach Diet recipes. And when I’m on the road, it helps to keep my travel cooler packed with healthy snacks like low-fat cheese and vegetables.
When I first told my mother about my high cholesterol, she joked that the only way to lower it was to eliminate every food that tastes good. The South Beach Diet proved her wrong. I’m truly enjoying all the meals and snacks. Plus, during the 12-week Challenge, I lost nine pounds and an inch from my waist and hips. The bigger news is that my total cholesterol has dropped 44 points, my LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) dropped 42 points, my triglyceride level dropped 50 points, and my HDL (the “good” cholesterol) increased eight points. My weight loss has been slow but steady, and I’m thrilled with my progress because I know I’ll have lasting results. I attribute all of my success to the South Beach Diet. What a delicious way to get healthy, feel better, and lose weight!
FAVORITE SNACK: Chocolate South Beach Diet High Protein Cereal Bar
FAVORITE EXERCISE: A 45-minute daily walk with my dog. And now that I’m comfortable wearing a bathing suit again, swimming.
BEST COMPLIMENT: I was trying on a new outfit for a party, and the sales clerk encouraged me to buy the smaller size because it fits better!
MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY WHEN AVOIDING TEMPTATION: Eat only at restaurants that offer a wide variety of choices; keep healthy snacks in your cupboard and “bad” snacks out.
BEST ADVICE FOR OTHER SOUTH BEACH DIETERS: Focus on health — not pounds. My weight loss has been steady but slow; however, I was astonished with my cholesterol results, which motivated me to keep at it.