The Starting Line

Starting weight: 139

Today is officially my first day on the South Beach Diet. I've been reading articles and tinkering around with recipes for this diet for some time now, but I've never made the final commitment to start the diet for real. Until now!

Phase 1 of the diet, which lasts two weeks, calls for a firm restriction on high-carb, high-fat, or high-sugar foods, and zero alcohol. It's the part of the diet when you're supposed to lose the most weight (10 pounds in 2 weeks is the average) and, c'mon, it's only 2 weeks. I've never been very good at resisting food urges and I usually cheat on my diets within a few days, so here's how I feel about this Phase 1 nonsense:
1. Sugars won't be too difficult for me. Aside from the occasional chocolate craving, I'm not big on candy, dessert or fruit. Two weeks without these things shouldn't be a problem.
2. My fridge is fully stocked with lean meat, veggies, cheese and eggs, so I've got everything I need at home.
3. One of my biggest concerns is that I have several events in the next 2 weeks where meals will be served. It will be a great test of my willpower to pass by restricted foods when they're plopped down right under my nose (like the bread basket, yummmm.)
4. My second biggest concern is not drinking. As a frequenter of bars, it's been a long time since I've gone 2 weeks without a cocktail. It would certainly be good for me to cut out alcohol completely for awhile, since it's so bad for the body in so many ways. Besides, it's just 2 weeks....

I haven't eaten yet today, but I have had 1 Diet Coke at work. I think I read somewhere that diet cola is not allowed during Phase 1, but I'm not going to worry about it. I mean, it has 0 calories and 0 carbs, and just a touch of sodium. Not much of a cheat, anyway.

That's all for now. I'll keep you posted.