I started last July by ordering NutriSystem for diabetics. I GAINED 15 lbs in 2 weeks while on it. Then in August I just cut calories down to just enough to get by. I was STARVING all the time... and by the middle of Sept I had lost 28 lbs, but began to gain by the end of that month.

On October 1, I put away the syringes and insulin bottles. I didn't throw the insulin away.. but I put it out of sight and started eating again.

Basically, if it wasn't protein, fat or caffeine, it didn't get past my lips. My blood sugar came under control in the first week, and lost 20 lbs in the first 3 weeks.. so I kept going. The side effect of hunger from the diabetes was gone in the first 3 days. My energy level soared in the first 5. On November 1, I got my butt into the gym (at 265 lbs).. and as humiliating as that was.. I just kept my head down and did my thing. Granted.. I'm obsessed with it at this point, but I can think of much worse things to be obsessed with (I have an addictive personality... drugs being the worst).

I do eat some veggies now.. but I make sure they are dark green or once in a while I'll throw in yellow squash as a treat. I ONLY use splenda in my coffee and I've had to cut coffee way down (I seem to be hitting hard on it again, but it was only 3 cups a day at the beginning).

I use a LOT of basil, oregano, parsley and garlic, olive oil, coconut oil, flax seed oil, butter (real butter).

What I did was extreme because I was dealing with the diabetes and I had to compensate for taking myself off the meds. I believe that ATKINS is a great program for those with a significant amount of weight to lose.

The book really makes sense.. Read chapters 1 - 10 before you do ANYTHING... and I think it'll all click for ya!

Good luck to you and God bless you!