I have been on the South Beach Diet and have lost 24 lbs thus far. I have just decided to join my friend in training for a triathlon, as a goal to help motivate myself to start exercising. Should I stick to the diet I have been on or do something different? The reading I have been doing over the holidays on training has mentioned eating carbs before workouts and whatnot. So this has lead me to this question as to whether the SBD is actually healthy for me to stick with while incorporating a training program. And if I should stop the low carb approach what kind of dietary approach should I be taking? Thank you for any advice any of you may have.
Michele

I would recommend talking to a couple people - a nutritionist and someone with a background in exercise physiology (could be the same person). You'll get sound advice. From what I've heard SBD is a modified Atkins, but with an emphasis on removing sugars from your diet. You'll need carbohydrates, especially during races when your body starts pulling from glycogen reserves.

My personal opinion is that once you start training, maintain the good habits of the SBD (making your own sauces, staying away from processed foods) but lose any strict regimen that it has you on. You might find that you are eating more with the training, and that's fine. You need the extra energy for the training and races.

Good luck and congrats on losing the weight!

I've been reading Chris Carmichael's Food for Fitness... Its less technical than I was hoping it would be, but it gives you an appropriate idea of good food for an athlete and helps explain why a low carb approach is not the best if you plan on becoming a competitive athlete... It doesn't give you a plan to lose weight perse, but basically as an athlete, you eat healthy, but create a small calorie deficit during the prep/very early base phase of training...
I'd recommend it if you're looking for some healthy eating guidlines that will provide you with the proper foods so you have enough energy to exercise and get maximal fitness benefits out of your training.

Coincidently, I just came across this article about the SB and Atkins for Athletes:

Are South Beach and Atkins Diets Right for Athletes?
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/aa030601a.htm