I began LC the last Sat. in May last year...never really considering it before a couple of weeks before I started.

But, I didn't even think about counting calories (just discovered this site yesterday), as Atkins said to count carbs, so, after registering at the Atkins site, and reading as much as I could, getting advice from two friends who had used it, I plunged in.  I've lost 44.5 lbs so far with about 19.5 left to goal...with no special vitamins (just over the counter kind), or even exercise (blush blush)...I usually lose some every week, but there are some weeks that I lost only half a pound...and I did go "off" at Christmas in order to try a Snickers bar again.

I've been getting good information here, but the basic point is, everyone's body is different. I'm an identical twin and my sis hasn't had as good of success with LoCarb as I, primarily, I believe, because she slowed down her metabolism for a year doing SlimFast first...and very low calorie. But she's lost weight faster than a normal low cal diet...and is very, very close to goal.

Atkins pointed out that when our appetite decreases, we are supposed to not eat as much. I think for some of us (me included), the habit of eating/snacking takes over, even if we aren't hungry.

I've still not evaluated my calories...some days I know I eat more than others and a friend gave me a recipe for low carb ice cream which has helped me to not feel "deprived" when it comes to going without chocolate, which I do like. Basically I added real whipping cream, whipped (30 or 36%, a couple T of cocoa, 10 raw egg yolks, and the recipe calls for sugar, but I substituted Equal since I used up my Splenda and I can't buy it over here..) Mix it together, freeze it, and it is really quite tasty.  I eat between half cup and a cup...a little Pyrex fruit dish.  

Oh, and by the way, I live in Poland, so things don't have the "carb count" on the side of the package...most things don't anyway.  But, I've found that I eat pretty simply usually, even though my dh and kids don't eat this way..I make myself something I really, really like, and serve it for myself (i.e. taco salad) when they are eating my homemade pizza.

I think that losing the weight boils down to the fact that you have to want to be "normal size" more than you want that candy bar or even delicious cinnamon bun or even a non sugary hot roll. I am convinced that I am losing weight faster this way than a normal, low calorie, low fat diet...I don't get hungry very often, and certainly don't stand around dreaming about food, even though I have to fix meals for my family.  It has been a wonderful find for me.

I'd encourage all newbies to go to the Atkins site for encouragement and find a friend who can encourage you. Don't expect miracles, and don't give up.

One thought has helped me. Many things (if not most) in life we can't control at all, but unless we are a tiny child, unconscious, or too old to be able to feed ourselves, we are the ultimate decider of what goes into our mouths.

curious
199/154.5/135  5'6"