RE: Starting Week 4

[Guest guest]

Margi,

I like the elliptical trainer. I like the bike for sitting, too! ) But the

elliptical is the better workout. It is also very low impact.

I'm sorry about your dissapointment, but don't give up. Are you eating plenty

of veggies. I try to eat more veggies than anything else. Plenty of meat, but

mostly veggies. I probably don't drink enough water either though. Also, I try

to eat 6 small meals rather than 3 large and a couple of snacks. It doesn't

always work out that way, but I stay satisfied all day long and I don't feel the

need to pig out on anything. Also, I've tried to find substitutions for the

things I love. I love sweets, so I keep plenty of sugar free snacks on hand. I

can't get through a day without sugar free Jello with Cool Whip Free on it! LOL

As for the Mexican food, go for fajitas. We've been out to Mexican twice since

I started SB. I've gotten the fajitas both times. I eat one " traditional "

fajita in the tortilla, and then just eat the meat and veggies with guacamole

and salsa. That seems to work out fine, and I don't leave feeling like a blimp!

) I also have a couple of chips. I put a small pile of them on my napkin,

and eat them very slowly. When my pile is gone, I'm done eating chips! I think

that when it comes to things like this it's important not to feel deprived. If

I felt deprived, I wouldn't continue with the diet. Use common sense and

remember to do everything in moderation!

Don't give up, you'll get there!

B. in SC

[Guest guest]

I got a Lateral Thigh Trainer off of eBay. I keep it at work....I JUST got

it a few days ago and I can see that it will most definitely work....I do

one minute on it right now and I'm puffing.

Kellie

[Guest guest]

Margi,

I don't want to hear you saying "only 7 pounds after 3 full weeks" because I think that is awesome. Do you know if I lost 7 pounds in three weeks I would be flipping cartwheels! That is about 2 1/3 pounds per week, for healthy weight loss, 1-2 lbs per week is the rule anyway. Remember, the slower it comes off, the slower it would tend to come back on - as they say, easy come, easy go, so I think you are doing fine!

I think the exercise equipment YOU enjoy the most is the one that will work the best. Because you will use it the most. Sometimes, I like the elliptical if I can't run because it's most similar to running. If you get one with moving arms then your upper body will get a workout as well as the lower body. On the other hand, recumbant bikes are a more comfortable position for many people so they will tend to do that longer. Also, it's easiest to read on a recumbant bike as well. Just remember if you read though to keep the intensity up. Many people make the mistake of putting the intensity too low and spacing out at the book and think that's a workout.

However, lower intensity is an option you could use with the recumbant bike as another strategy. For example, use the bike for your workout in the morning at a higher intensity. Then, later in the day, if you want to read a book or the newspaper, do it while using the bike at a lower intensity. I did this yesterday at the gym after my workout. I brought a book I've been wanting to read and sat on the recumbant bike while I read it, at a low intensity more as an addition to my regular workout. You don't burn as many calories, but it does burn more than just sitting in a chair or lying down. Same with watching TV. Even at a lower intensity if you pedal the bike while watching TV, it burns more calories than just sitting there in a chair or couch.

-Amie

From: euphoricfroth Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 10:26 AMTo: South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-Right Subject: Starting Week 4

Well at the end of week 3, I didn't lose anything- wah. That makes only 7 pounds after 3 full weeks!! I did Ph 1 for 2 weeks and 5 days- then just switched to Ph 2 on Sat with 1/2 eng muffin for breakfast with my egg and cheese, then a whole wheat eng muffin yesterday with nat peanut butter. I'm so disappointed that I only lost 7 pds so far- but am going to keep going. I will say that I may have indulged too much in the nuts (la la la) and have not been drinking 6 glasses of water a day- so I am FOR SURE doing that this week and will hope to drop another 2 or 3 this week. I'm spending x-mas money on a recumbent (sp?) bike or an elliptical- any suggestions on which you work out people like better? I prefer the bike so I can sit!! hahahMargi <-- going to a mexican buffet holiday work party tonight (YIKES)Reminder: The South Beach Diet is not low-carb. Nor is it low-fat. The South Beach Diet teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats-the good ones-and enables you to live quite happily without the bad carbs and bad fats. For more on this WOE please read "The South Beach Diet" by Arthur Agatston, MD. ISBN 1-57954-814-8