10 Tips to Get Started on South Beach Diet

Are you proud of yourself? You should be: You’ve decided to change your life once and for all and lose the weight that’s been holding you back. (Even if you haven’t yet made the commitment to start, you’re here. You’re researching. And that’s GREAT.) Starting the plan is the jumpstart of the South Beach Diet journey because you’re breaking your dependence on sugar and refined carbs. We call it your Weight Loss Phase. Sugar and refined carbs cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash—and then make you want to eat the same junk all over again an hour later, which is how you gain weight. Avoiding these foods are the first steps to a successful start on South Beach.

During your Weight Loss Phase, you’ll fill up on proteins, vegetables and heart healthy good fats that nourish and satisfy. In the absence of carbs, your body will burn fat for calories and you’ll start to see results. BUT—it does take some mental focus to stay the course and make healthy eating habits into a lifestyle. Begin on the right track with these 10 tips for a getting started on South Beach Diet.

1. Purge Your Pantry.

The only way to truly avoid temptation is to remove it. Get those greasy chips out of the pantry; purge all of the ice cream from the freezer; and give the cookie dough to a friend. In order to have a successful start on South Beach, you avoid carbs and reduce sugar. Later, these foods can be enjoyed in moderation. But for now, in order to achieve the best results with your meal plan, it’s best not to have them where you can see them.

2. Invest in a New Water Bottle.

Your body will take time to adjust to its new meal plan and there is no better way to cope with hunger or cravings than to keep your stomach full. Water does that quite well so we recommend drinking half of your body weight in ounces of fluid each day. However, please note that this is just a recommendation and you may need more or less fluid based on your activity level or other factors. Speak to your doctor to ensure you are hydrating properly for your specific needs.

To keep you motivated to keep hydrated, invest in a fun water bottle with ounce marks clearly labeled so you can be sure you’ve had the recommended amount. If you’re not a water fan, figure out how to make it work for you—try it hot, ice-cold or flavored with cucumber. If that doesn’t work, try calorie-free carbonated water or tea.

3. Find Your Tennis Shoes.

Or sneakers. Or gym shoes. Whatever you call them, find them and figure out how you can work exercise into your daily routine. You will have successful start on South Beach just by changing your diet, but adding in exercise can maximize results. Whether it’s a short bike ride, a 15-minute walk before work and then at lunch, or a trip to the gym for some elliptical and/or weights, you need to get your heart rate up for about 30 minutes a day.

4. Keep Track of Your Food.

The simple act of keeping track of everything you eat can double your chances of weight loss success, says an August 2008 study, published in The American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Keep a food journal or create a note in your phone where you jot down your meals for the day. This will help you stay aware and accountable of your daily intake.

5. Find Your Routine.

It may take a few days to figure out what time of day you want to exercise, when and how you will record your food, water and activity, and most importantly, how you feel. But establishing a routine can help you stay consistent on your new course. The more we exercise, the more likely we are to want to eat healthy. It’s called the transfer effect and is explained in the Journal of American College Nutrition (August 2015). Participants in the study who exercised for 30 minutes, five times or more a week, ate the most fruit and vegetables. Those who exercised the least ate the least. As the respondents grew older, they ate even more fruits and veggies. Why? Exercise and eating well lead to the same goal of better health so they’re easy correlations. Second, once someone makes exercise a habit, it’s no longer a mental effort. You’re more likely to just get up and go. So, get in those 30 minutes of light activity!

6. Just Say No.

Jan Chozen Bays M.D., author of Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food says we experience seven kinds of hunger on a daily basis. These “hungers” occur as sensations, thoughts and even emotions. When our senses are activated by food—even if we’re not truly hungry—we respond by putting food in our mouths. In order to not be fooled, Bays suggests we become aware of what urges us to eat—and why. For example, if you walk into your office and someone made homemade chocolate chip cookies, your “eye hunger” convinces you you’re hungry. Another example: “nose hunger” detects hot dogs at the baseball game or popcorn at the movie theater and instructs you to eat. Instead of giving in, listen to your body for hunger queues and eat small, nutritious meals six times a day so you don’t ever feel famished or inclined to eat whatever is there.

7. Have Snacks Handy.

Another way to prepare for temptation is to have healthy snacks handy when fresh veggies and grilled chicken just aren’t available. Check out this list of 14 low-sugar snack ideas that fit perfectly into your meal plan. Then click here to learn how to put together the perfect low-carb snack! >

 8. Eat Your Veggies.

One of the biggest adjustments for a successful start on South Beach is adding in at least three servings of non-starchy vegetables a day. Popular non-starchy veggies include cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, cucumber and tomatoes. Here are a few tips for sneaking those veggies in: At breakfast, make a farmers’ omelet or blend up a protein shake with a handful of spinach. At lunch, have a salad as your main course. At dinner, rice cauliflower or roast spaghetti squash and serve your salmon or stir-fry on top. Between meals, snack on grape tomatoes and pre-cut peppers, celery and cucumber.

9. Ask for Support.

One South Beach Diet secret to success is talking to your family members and friends about your new diet and goals. Having a support system can be the motivation you need to keep going on those more difficult diet days. Support is especially important for a successful start, especially if you’re the chef in your house and it’s a DIY mealtime. Let your family know that healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be served when it’s time to cook.

10. Visit The Palm Daily.

Okay, if you’re reading this, you’re already here. But don’t stop with this article! Our goal is to see you have a successful start AND continue to see weight loss success throughout your journey. We have tons of articles and recipes designed to keep you energized, informed and satisfied while you drop pounds and get healthy.