The South Beach Diet Supercharged: Faster Weight Loss and Better Health for Life

by Arthur Agatston

book data

56 ratings, 3.80 average rating, 12 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		23%
4		41%
3		25%
2		7%
1		1%

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published

April 28th 2008 by Rodale Books

binding

Hardcover, 352 pages

isbn

1594864578 (isbn13: 9781594864575)

description

Five years ago, with the publication of The South Beach Diet, renowned Miami cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston set out to change the way America eats. ...more

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07/01/08

Brittany rated it:

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: No one.

This book/diet is not very helpful. The first 1/3 of the book gives a lot of background information and statistics. It is interesting and helps you to understand the obesity epidemic in America. The book then goes into explaining the daily exercises. They instruct the reader to alternate between interval walking and core strength training exercises. The author then continues to explain the three phases of the South Beach Diet. Phase I is explained fairly thoroughly. Phase II is also expla...more This book/diet is not very helpful. The first 1/3 of the book gives a lot of background information and statistics. It is interesting and helps you to understand the obesity epidemic in America. The book then goes into explaining the daily exercises. They instruct the reader to alternate between interval walking and core strength training exercises. The author then continues to explain the three phases of the South Beach Diet. Phase I is explained fairly thoroughly. Phase II is also explained pretty well, but I was unsure as to what I should continue or stop in Phase II that I was doing in Phase I. There is not much explanation to Phase III at all. The author also says that once you’ve completed Phase I, you should not go back to it because that, essentially, is yo-yo dieting which is not good. However, the author includes dieter testimonials in which individuals explain that when they are having a hard time loosing weight after they are on Phase II and III, they go back to Phase I. This is quite contradictory.

On days I do the interval walking, I tend to loose a pound. However, I’m doing much more walking than they suggest (I walk about a 5k). Unfortunately, I gain that pound back the next day when I do the core strength training. The core strength training exercises are really easy and are more of a stretching routine than they are a strength training workout. I know a lot of people are excited about this because they want an easy workout - but this is just too easy… honestly, it’s a waste of 20 minutes and I’m shocked to think that someone with a Ph.D. created these exercises.

It is said that you can loose over 10 pounds on Phase I of the diet, which lasts only two weeks. The author himself states that this is when a dieter will loose a lot of weight the fastest. However, I’m at the end of week 1 and I’ve only lost 0.8 pounds. If I stay at this rate, I will have lost about 1.5-2 lbs. over a two week period. If my weight loss slows in Phase II, which the author says is to be expected, then I will not be loosing anything at all.

The author also explains that the main goal of Phase I is to reduce cravings for sugary foods and carbohydrates. Midday today I had a mean craving for a whole grain bagel and gave in. So much for those reduced cravings.

Unfortunately, this book has not worked for me. My mom didn't have much success either. We did this together, and it is said that there is strength in numbers when dieting. Apparently, that is not true with this program. I would be interested to see what everyone else has to say and if anyone has had any success. Please feel free to leave comments.

UPDATE: The book says that you can drink sugar-free drinks (i.e. Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, coffee w/ low-fat creamer and artificial sweetners). However, my mom went onto the website - that you have to pay to join - and found out you are not suppose to drink caffinated [ sic ] drinks. This is just another example of the billion dollar diet industry making you fat just so they can convince you to buy more of their products... creating a trillion dollar industry. (less)

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06/12/08

Highflyingfool rated it:

Read in June, 2008

Actually, I couldn't fully implement the diet because I am pregnant right now. But I will probably try once the baby is born so I can get rid of the post-pregnancy flab.

The exersizes looked great and really simple and similar to what a one-on-one trainer at the gym would do with you (I know, I've used a trainer before). I liked how they had a schedule and how to switch up the excersizes from day to day. I love to excersize and find it mentally therapeutic (and a good getaway from ...more

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05/08/08

Margaret rated it:

bookshelves: own, pines

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: everyone

Back in 2003, when the SBD first came out, I was a freshman in college and terrified of the "freshman 15". My mom bought me the first The South Beach Diet and my freshman 15 was a negative 15. Through out college, I remember thinking that I was overweight, but looking back at those pictures, I truly miss how skinny I was! Through different doctors and vitamins and pills and such I got to a point where I gained a rapid and unexplainable amount of about 50 lbs and haven't been able to lo...more

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12/02/08

Marnie rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, audio-books

Read in December, 2008

I really think that, if you have that standard eat-everything American eating habits, the South Beach diet is the healthiest way of living. Besides Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 incorporate all the best , most healthy food in a way to optimize wellness in your physical being.

This book talks about exercise, which must be incorporated in your life to keep your body feeling good. What I liked was that the interval training techniques allow you to ramp up your exercise results, keepin...more

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12/17/08

AuthorsOnTourLive! rated it:

Five years after publication of the #1 international blockbuster bestseller, The South Beach Diet, renowned cardiologist, Arthur Agatston, M.D. releases The South Beach Diet Supercharged: Faster Weight Loss and Better Health for Life.

In the original South Beach Diet book, Dr. Agatston changed the way America eats, with his right carbs, right fats approach. Now his mission is to change the way America lives, not only by helping people lose weight and eat healthfully but also by becomi...more

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01/10/09

Maree rated it:

Read in January, 2009

It's alright. Very close to the first books with a few updated studies. Agatston added a workout which I would like to try, but it seems a little too easy. I'll probably try it anyway and see if it makes a difference. Also, the recipies he's added seem like they may be pretty good. Someday I might try some of those also.

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10/18/08

Chris rated it:

I have been using the first book, The South Beach Diet, and loved it. This is even better. The recipes are really good, and my husband and I love to try them out. Phase 2 has been changed a little, which is better and makes more sense. Phase 3 is basically gone: you just keep eating sensibly. So I do go back the original book for more Phase 3 ideas. The exercises--well I tried them. I prefer to use the ones from You On a Diet and incorporate some of the ones in this book along with those....more

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09/23/08

Gayle rated it:

Read in October, 2008

I am a diet nut and I am particularly in love with the South Beach Diet because it worked for me a few times - when I stick to it. This book is great for the next step as it tells you how to bump things to the next level with regard to diet and especially exercise. I think he sometimes goes into too much detail but that's just me and my A.D.D. :) A great book to add to the series.

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02/18/09

Megg rated it:

Read in May, 2009

This is the only "diet" that has ever worked for me. It's really more of a lifestyle than a diet, and it has completely changed my life for the better. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to understand how food works with their body, and anyone who is looking to get healthier.

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07/18/08

Karen rated it:

Read in July, 2008

I hate the name South Beach Diet - it sounds like such a fad diet. People continue to confuse this diet as a "low carb" diet when it fact it is just healthy eating, plain and simple. The new information in the book is worth reading, and the recipes are delicious!

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06/03/08

Sarah Miles is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading

Always looking for new ideas from South Beach...when I stick to the diet I can really lose weight...

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