need to lose really quick

going on vacation in 12 weeks. what is the best diet to follow to lose the most in 12 weeks. can't make up my mind to try weight watchers or south beach. help!!!!!

I've done both and found most success with Weight Watchers. However, you can combine both and do really well! You combine both by following the south beach phases and menus but counting the points at the same time. If you just want to do one ... I would go with Weight Watchers because it's a lot easier to follow and you don't have to cut anything out of your diet and risk binging.

I agree. Go with Weight Watchers, I think I've had most success with it more than anything else. You could drop a significant
amount of weight in 12 weeks if you follow it relatively close.

Follow Weight Watchers and put in some exercise. Weight Watchers gives you more flexibility and is easier to follow when eating out is an option you have to do. I did extremely well with Weight Watchers. My numbers have not shown significant loss lately, only because I haven't followed by keeping up with points and watching food intake. I was averaging the first 12 weeks in WW, 1.9 pounds a week. That has fallen only because I wasn't doing my part lately.

Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not on Weight Watchers) but isn't it just a moderation or low-calorie plan? I'm not by any means saying that's a bad thing (it's what I do), but if you're not going to meetings is there really a particular "diet" to follow? Besides watching your overall intake, that is.

I'd still say that it's a better plan than South Beach, for many people. Like mms0823 said, you might run less of a risk of binging if you are on a less restrictive plan, especially if you are big carb-eater right now. Then again, if you do better on low-carb plans or plans that require stricter rules, South Beach may be better for you. I really think it depends on the person.

Personally, I just follow a low-calorie plan of my own and attempt to keep my macronutrient ratios in a range that works well for me (50% of calories from carbs, 30% from protein and 20% from fat). I usually fall into my WW point range pretty well (sometimes more and sometimes less), even though it's not something I am specifically attempting to do. I just track the points because I think it is interesting.

For me, the absolute most important part is tracking every thing that I eat, every day. No matter what plan you choose, I would recommend that.

Weight Watchers is great because the point values are calculated not just by counting calories and fat, but fiber is as much a part of it than anything else. I don't find that WW is particularly low calorie. Whenever I've calculate my points, some of the foods I've choosen have had a higher caloric value than what I would normally have choosen if I were going by a low calorie diet alone. This is nice because I feel I have more choices in food selection and less second guessing about if I can eat what I want or not. The great thing about WW for me is that I now know my food intake limit. I've always been an exerciser and have always understood nutrition to a point, but now that I know how to track my meals, I have been able to loose and maintain my weight without worry. I also eat healthier. WW is a life thing for me and I think it is the healthiest way not only to stay in shape, but to live!

There is a reason Weight Watcgers has been around so long and been so successful over the years: It works. Yes, some of the choices/point values can be higher colorically than if you were counting straight caolories, however, it does alow you to have those moments of temptation. Also, along with the frozen meals and boxed items available in grocery stores, it allows you to haveles stress when on trips and working in "brown bag" lunch situations. As long as you fully understand the program, I'm sure you'll do very well. The best advice on any dieting plan is to understad your goals, your personal trends and things that cause you to gain weight. I, for example, can't drink regular soda or eat a large amount of citrus fruits because I bloat like a beached whale. Keeping things like this in mind help me make better choices. Drink plety of water and get in those little excersizes every day. Keep at it, I'm sure you'll do well.