South Beach Diet May Get You Bikini-Ready
Aug. 27 -- If you needed inspiration to go on a diet, imagining yourself as a resident of South Beach, Fla., home of the thin and gorgeous, isn't a bad way to go.
The trendy Miami hot spot helped inspire the best-selling book, The South Beach Diet, by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Florida-based cardiologist, who says his diet is fast, healthy and foolproof. And as an extra bonus, Agatston says South Beach dieters will lose weight in their abdominal areas first.
Research shows that most people who are trying to lose weight are yo-yo dieters who are constantly going on and off various diets, but Agatston insists that his diet is easy to stick to.
"This diet works because it doesn't require a lot of self-control — you're not hungry on it," Agatston said. "And there's a great variety of foods to eat so you won't get bored and go off it."
Goodbye, Cocktails
Dieters will lose up to 13 pounds in the first two weeks alone, he said. But for the first two weeks, dieters will have to say goodbye to their favorite cocktails, cookies and other goodies. Starches, such as white bread, white rice and potatoes, are also off limits, as are sugar (including fruits) and alcohol.
"You eliminate these foods because they cause swings in blood sugar that make you hungry," Agatston said. "That's the purpose of the first two weeks — to eliminate your cravings for all foods. And during that time, you'll lose eight to 13 pounds."
Those who feel they can't live without pasta, bread or some sugar will be surprised at how quickly their bodies acclimate to not wanting sugar or starches, he said.
After two weeks, the good news is very good. Weight will come off the stomach area first, because when you do not eat sugar, you do not produce insulin, which is responsible for controlling fat in your middle, Agatston said. The fat around your belly helped early man survive; during times of famine, he lived off of his belly fat. Today, big guts are only a detriment, the doctor said.
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