I love red wine. This is one thing that I am going to have trouble giving up. I try to limit myself to 1-2 glasses once or twice a week. I have heard two different takes on wine....first, that it is good for you in moderation and actually slows down the digestion process.....second, that it is a carb and therefore should be avoided for the most part. Any thoughts?

carbs are not evil...

any plan that suggests eliminating entire food groups - should probably be eliminated as a plan

Count it in your calories and don't worry about it...

I understand that all carbs aren't evil. However, I am trying to follow the South Beach Plan for the most part. I have tried counting calories in the past and have always given up.
But I get your point. thanks.

south beach works not because you're carb free but because carbs tend to have slightly higher calories than proteins does... it's the low calories that makes the diet work... but it's tough to maintain long term..

Why haven't counting calories worked for you? are you setting your calories too low?

No, I think it is lack of discipline to keep track! I will do great for 4 or 5 days and then start to slowly quit keeping track.
South Beach doesn't cut out all carbs by any means (except for the first 2 weeks). It steers you towards carbs that have a low GI and away from the junk carbs like white bread, refined sugar, etc.
So far, it is working well for me and has been relatively easy. Then again, this is day 15! Check back at day 70.....or 86....or 54. *grin*

Moderation is the keyword! 1-3 glasses of red wine every week will not ruin your weight loss attempts. Many studies show the health benefits of antioxidants flavonoid phenolics in red wine (Resveratrol in particular).

But the overall calorie consumption has to be considered. Many do on the other experience that alcohol consumption makes loosing weight harder. If you are one of them perhaps you should only drink one glass once a week, until you have lost the weight you want and begin maintaining the weight loss by constant vigilance about what you eat and drink, in order to stay within perhaps +/- 4 pounds of your goal weight.