I have done the SBD a year ago and got rid of my "pudgey" belley and tighs - I lost 15 pounds. Sort of done it for a year but it was really hard for me to shoo away the carbs - after all I am french and love my pasta an french baguette.

I know the SBD/Atkins is a very successful program but I don't think that eating all that animal fat is that great for your heart and arteries. I also get bored with the plan but I love the fact that I can eat without calculating portions and writing down every little thing I eat.

My friend gave me the Weight Watcher's point system and looked at it: seems pretty staight forward and decided to start it today. The downside is I have been hungry all freakin' day! At my weight, I have to eat no more than 20 points and it's so little that I can barely get by. But I love the fact that I can eat all of the fruits and veggies that I want but I HATE writing down everything and constantly check the book for the point value of a certain food. By doing this, I came to understand that maybe I have been eating like a fata$$ before and it sort of put my eating pattern in check.

I am just torn between the 2 - I have recently gained 7 pounds and need to go back down - I actually have 20 pounds to loose now and it seems like it won't happen unless I can finally set my mind on something and "do" it!

Can anyone here share their experience with either of the 2 programs and maybe tell me a little something that I might have forgotten to do or maybe I am doing wrong? Just writing this, I am so hungry!!!!

Amethyste, I've been on Weight Watchers for about a month now and I love it. I've been loosing weight steadily, but not too fast. I was soooooooo hungry the first two or three days, but then it passed. I guess my body got used to fewer calories.

Did your friend tell you about the flex points? In addition to your 20 points each day, you get 35 flex points each week. You can use a few each day or a lot at one time. It's your choice. I usually try to save mine incase I eat out on the weekend or want a glass of wine with dinner.

I find going to the meetings really helpful too. They are a lot of fun, I have a great leader. I've gotten tons of tips on low point recipes, low point foods that can be bought at the local supermarkets, and stores that have great sales each week.

I know I'd never make it on South Beach. I love pasta, bread and cereal. I'd feel totally deprived on a low carb diet. With Weight Watchers you can eat anything you want, it's more about portion control.

Good luck with whichever program you choose!

ps. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice, there are a bunch of us on WW here.

Have you considered the Weight Watchers core plan? Basically, you can eat until you're satisfied from a list of foods (the foods are pretty much healthy stuff with some limits on bread and pasta). Then, you get 35 flex points a week for other stuff. I just started it and I like it because if I'm still hungry, I can eat fruits or whatever. Check out this site:

http://qotu.typepad.com/journey2fitness/

It's a woman's journal of her journey to fitness and she discusses her experiences with regular WW versus the Core plan. Good luck!

for me I wouldnt do either... I have seen people do all sorts of diets... I heard that Low carb diets over all is not healthy for you in the long run... i did the low carb thing lost weight but then i ate carbs and boy did i gaint the weight back... I joined Curves and a lot of woman there have tired all sorts of diets and we all came to the conclusion is not about what diet to try or what.. its about just excuse and change the way you eat... i mean just make your portions a little smaller and if you normally eat sweets take that out and eat something healthy... at work my snacks used to be candies or goods now they are fruits. instead of drinking juice or soda I drink more water... i carb my juice craving half a glass during breakfast and some at night none during the day... and working out... i have lost a couple of lbs and my clothes have gotten a lot looser...but my Body Fat index went from 26.6 to 25 in a matter of a month and thats better then the lbs... I dont call what im doing a diet I believe that is the first mistake, to be healthy and lose weight is a matter of changeing the way you eat and making that a life long change!!
Good Luck with whatever diet you choose....

Yes, I will also post you lots of info about WW.
It is by far the best way to go.

Also, you have 5 flex points a day as an average so you really have 25 a day or save some for a special occasion.

THanks all for your input...
Where can I see the "core" plan of the WW if I am not a member? I know it's sort of cheating, but I can't justify the $$ for joining right now. I know I can do it on my own though.

I know I posted in this thread last night, but I don't see my question! Anyway......is there a way that I can get a copy of the WW point system and foods without having to join WW? I just want to see what the program is without having to dive in and join! Also, wasn't there a website of some ladies progress and gives a lot of WW info......I know it was posted in another thread.......but I can't seem to find it tonight for some strange reason!

I think there's some info in this thread.

Cyn....I swear you have a 10,000 GB memory chip in your head! I just found the link, and was sooooo happy, and then came back to this thread to post it, and who do you think beat me to it......Y O U!!!! What in the world would we do without you?

Anyway....the link I found was www.dwlz.com

I work at a womens health center and gym and I see all types of diets. They all work to some extent but you just have to find one that you will actually stay on... if it is a yo/yo type diet that's the type of result you'll get(you'll loose alot and then gain it- plus more- back) I'm not a fan of the no carb diets because I just can't see how they're healthy... As for WW, it is just a support group and not really a diet, IMO. Also, check out WW Online- there's a great community there and some great info too. There is one way to loose weight- eat less calories(not necessarily less food) and exercise more. I'm no expert but I've been going to a nutritionalist since I was eight!