OK, for you purists, I am a couple of days late. Monday November 14 is actually 182 days. But on my ACTUAL 180th day, I was out the door early to volunteer with my son's Cub Scout Pack, so humor me.
After six months on the South Beach Diet, I've lost just over 40 pounds. Disclaimer: we had a big weekend, with a winery trip and several restaurant meals, followed by birthday cake last night. Last week I peaked at 47 pounds of weight loss. I fully expect to reach 50 pounds of loss in the next few weeks, before Thanksgiving bulks me back up.
I have a couple of observations about the process thus far. First, even though the South Beach Diet makes a big big deal about "good carbs" and "bad carbs" and (starting today for 12 days) "no carbs at all" -- what seems to me to be the most important thing is portion control. Last night I had a nice cut of beef loin. A year ago I would have had 8 or 12 ounces, wrapped in bacon. Last night, 4 ounces plain. A year ago, there would have been a cup of rice or a full sized baked potato on my plate. Last night, no starch at all. A year ago, a couple of servings of veggies. Last night, a half cup of black beans. A year ago, no salad. Last night, 4 ounces of lettuce with a few garnishes.
Second, unlike every other attempt I've made at losing weight over the years, this one -- once you're off of "Phase 1" -- is pretty flexible about those "oops" moments. When we're on phase 2, we expect to lose a pound or two a week. . . and I've noticed that a restaurant meal, or a "bribery visit" to Dairy Queen, fits into that plan pretty well. As long as we only blow it once a week or so, we still lose a pound.
Third, snacking is very important, as is proper hydration.
Fourth, exercise seems to be less important than I originally thought, although still very important.
Finally, having my wife on the diet with me has been a key to its success, even though I've lost a lot more weight than she has. (On the downside for me, it's a reminder that when I've lost another 40 or 50 pounds, I'll be just as overweight then as she was when she started.)
On to 50 pounds!
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