I'm so confused! Can someone please explain the basic differences between these programs? Which is best for losing fat without being hungry and lethargic? I was thinking about getting the BFFM e-book, but I'd like to know a little more before taking the plunge (and using up an entire toner cartridge). Thanks!
BFFM vs. BFL vs. South Beach
- Thread starter fitnancy
- Start date
L Sass
Cathlete
Here's my take.
SB - reduced carb, though not at all low carb. Keep the carbs healthy, along with healthy fats and proteins, not a lot of emphasis on exercise.
BFL - portion control, portion control, portion control. Nothing bigger than the palm of your hand or the size of your fist. Healthy and moderate carbs, fats, proteins. Moderate emphasis on exercise though no cardio longer than 20 minutes.
BFFM - first determine your body type then figure out what macronutrients serve it best. Zig-zag your calories, 3 days low 1 day higher (or similar) and eat every 3 hours! The focus on exercise is whatever your body type needs.
I personally think BFFM makes the most sense and it feels like you're always eating!!
But you've got to find what works for YOU! I bought BFFM but didn't kill my printer. Rather, as soon as I got it I went to the Fedex/Kinkos website, uploaded it to them with a printing and binding order. It was done in 2 hours.
That's my take. I've read them all and like BFFM the best.
Lorrie
SB - reduced carb, though not at all low carb. Keep the carbs healthy, along with healthy fats and proteins, not a lot of emphasis on exercise.
BFL - portion control, portion control, portion control. Nothing bigger than the palm of your hand or the size of your fist. Healthy and moderate carbs, fats, proteins. Moderate emphasis on exercise though no cardio longer than 20 minutes.
BFFM - first determine your body type then figure out what macronutrients serve it best. Zig-zag your calories, 3 days low 1 day higher (or similar) and eat every 3 hours! The focus on exercise is whatever your body type needs.
I personally think BFFM makes the most sense and it feels like you're always eating!!
But you've got to find what works for YOU! I bought BFFM but didn't kill my printer. Rather, as soon as I got it I went to the Fedex/Kinkos website, uploaded it to them with a printing and binding order. It was done in 2 hours.
That's my take. I've read them all and like BFFM the best.
Lorrie
xschwarz
Cathlete
My take:
SB-high maintenance with recipies and preparation, tend to now over promote their products which now include highly processed prepared frozen meals. Lots of people lose weight initially, I'm not sure if it's successful at a long term eating lifestyle. I lost weight but gradually put it back on as I modified out of the plan.
BFL-for me too regimented with meals and workout. I liked the idea of portion control and focus on good carbs but the plan felt too generic like one size fits all.
BFFM- when I visited the website all I could think of was a cheesy diet supplement add! But I carefully read feedback from other forum members and was TOTALLY INSPIRED BY FITNESSFREAK366! Check out her pics and her story from previous threads.
This is an educational seminar on a download. You have to read, work, plan and re-read this book. It is worth every penny. I am 6 weeks into the plan and feel so great. It is a personal work inprogress that incorporates daily calorie/macronutrient counts, exercise and personal goals.
Good luck with your investigation!
X
SB-high maintenance with recipies and preparation, tend to now over promote their products which now include highly processed prepared frozen meals. Lots of people lose weight initially, I'm not sure if it's successful at a long term eating lifestyle. I lost weight but gradually put it back on as I modified out of the plan.
BFL-for me too regimented with meals and workout. I liked the idea of portion control and focus on good carbs but the plan felt too generic like one size fits all.
BFFM- when I visited the website all I could think of was a cheesy diet supplement add! But I carefully read feedback from other forum members and was TOTALLY INSPIRED BY FITNESSFREAK366! Check out her pics and her story from previous threads.
This is an educational seminar on a download. You have to read, work, plan and re-read this book. It is worth every penny. I am 6 weeks into the plan and feel so great. It is a personal work inprogress that incorporates daily calorie/macronutrient counts, exercise and personal goals.
Good luck with your investigation!
X
>
>BFL - portion control, portion control, portion control.
>Nothing bigger than the palm of your hand or the size of your
>fist. Healthy and moderate carbs, fats, proteins. Moderate
>emphasis on exercise though no cardio longer than 20 minutes.
>
Just as an FYI, you don't "have" to do BFL cardio longer than 20 minutes, but you can and you can also add other types of cardio if you feel like it.
Exercise six times a week; similar to an up pyramid for weights, interval cardio for cardio. I'd say equal emphasis on diet and exercise.
I like BFL for the simplicity (ok and for my free day). But I don't every weigh or measure or count. I hold a chicken breast up to my palm and that's my portion. Potato up to my fist...and that's my portion.
Colleen
>BFL - portion control, portion control, portion control.
>Nothing bigger than the palm of your hand or the size of your
>fist. Healthy and moderate carbs, fats, proteins. Moderate
>emphasis on exercise though no cardio longer than 20 minutes.
>
Just as an FYI, you don't "have" to do BFL cardio longer than 20 minutes, but you can and you can also add other types of cardio if you feel like it.
Exercise six times a week; similar to an up pyramid for weights, interval cardio for cardio. I'd say equal emphasis on diet and exercise.
I like BFL for the simplicity (ok and for my free day). But I don't every weigh or measure or count. I hold a chicken breast up to my palm and that's my portion. Potato up to my fist...and that's my portion.
Colleen
Wow, Fitnessfreak! I found your pictures, and that's a tremendous transformation!
Another BFFM question - how hard is this diet to follow? Sounds like it might be super complicated, so I'm wondering if I could stick with it. (I work at home full-time, and have 2 preschoolers, so my time is pretty limited right now.) Thanks!
Another BFFM question - how hard is this diet to follow? Sounds like it might be super complicated, so I'm wondering if I could stick with it. (I work at home full-time, and have 2 preschoolers, so my time is pretty limited right now.) Thanks!
Spinnergirl
Cathlete
I can only speak for SB.
I did it the first time EXACTLY the way the book says(notice I said "first time"). Got the H/A, lethargy(tough to run the first couple of weeks) and I was irritable at times too.
HOWEVER..., NOW I've really stuck to working out 5-6x a week alternating either running or a Cathe cardio workout with a weightlifting workout(upper body)or allover weightlifting workout(I did Push Pull tonite)and just eating cleaner--I've got the Naples, FL 1/2 marathon in January--anyone else running it?)
IMO, SB is about healthy eating, not processed eating. You may cook a bit more than usual, but I tweak it for what works for me. The book is a good reference guide, but if you find yourself really "working" to change your way of "eating"--which may happen to eat "cleaner" anyway, the ability to stick with it is harder.
That being said, I have more definition than when I was on the Cathe trip, I'm more focused on cutting out some of the body fat than losing weight(which may happen but I'm not focused on the scale).
I can tell a difference in how I "feel" and as we all know, it took time to get the way we were, and it will take time to achieve the results you want. It's a combination of diet and exercise and with the Cathe workouts and cleaning up your eating habits(even with a splurge now and then)-you will see results, just be patient.
Just my 2 cents.
Mary
Formerly known as Luv2run
I did it the first time EXACTLY the way the book says(notice I said "first time"). Got the H/A, lethargy(tough to run the first couple of weeks) and I was irritable at times too.
HOWEVER..., NOW I've really stuck to working out 5-6x a week alternating either running or a Cathe cardio workout with a weightlifting workout(upper body)or allover weightlifting workout(I did Push Pull tonite)and just eating cleaner--I've got the Naples, FL 1/2 marathon in January--anyone else running it?)
IMO, SB is about healthy eating, not processed eating. You may cook a bit more than usual, but I tweak it for what works for me. The book is a good reference guide, but if you find yourself really "working" to change your way of "eating"--which may happen to eat "cleaner" anyway, the ability to stick with it is harder.
That being said, I have more definition than when I was on the Cathe trip, I'm more focused on cutting out some of the body fat than losing weight(which may happen but I'm not focused on the scale).
I can tell a difference in how I "feel" and as we all know, it took time to get the way we were, and it will take time to achieve the results you want. It's a combination of diet and exercise and with the Cathe workouts and cleaning up your eating habits(even with a splurge now and then)-you will see results, just be patient.
Just my 2 cents.
Mary
Formerly known as Luv2run