You're preaching to the choir, Peter!

My post was not intended to disparage Atkins.  As I said, I started
with Atkins and I think it's a pretty good starting point.

However, Patty wrote in response to the OP's question *specifically*
regarding Bernstein and how it differed from her understanding of
Atkins:

Now, you and I have been around here for long enough to know that
while Atkins is a *good* plan, it's not necessarily the be all and end
all of LC.  To disparage other plans by dismissing them as 'old
school' and 'trying to catch up' is to do many fine medicos a
dis-service.

Bernstein came at his plan from a completely different approach - the
absolute, over-riding NECESSITY for a diabetic person to keep their
sugar levels as close as possible to 'normal' all the time to avoid
horrible complications.  The fact that it turns out to be pretty close
to Atkins in many respects doesn't make it a pale imitation.  That two
doctors, working in very different fields, independently came up with
similar plans is a good indication that it is likely to work for a
number of people.  

There are many people for whom 'straight Atkins' may not be the best
plan.  Vegetarians, for instance, if they prefer not to revert to meat
eating (and many don't - because they are more comfortable avoiding
it, because for medical reasons they are better off avoiding it,
because they are morally convinced that eating the Products Of
Slaughter would pollute them spiritually - it doesn't matter the
reasoning) may find that Protein Power, with it's higher allowed Carb
Counts, fits their requirements.  For them, trading off a slower loss
without compromising their philosophy may be worth while.  It doesn't
make the Eades plan an 'old school trying to catch up'.

There is a significant minority of people for whom Atkins alone does
NOT control their cholesterol levels.  For them, the GO-plan may be
more appropriate.  It's not a cop-out or an Atkins clone but a plan
studied and worked to help out that group of people.

To the OP, Maryann, Atkins DOES NOT have a set ratio for
Protein/Carbs/Fat.  Many people have found that their loss comes best
with a 75% fat, roughly 20% protein and 5% carb level BUT others have
found that other ratios suit them best.  

Even though you mention that you're pretty sedentary I think you might
be restricting yourself a bit too much going to 1500 cals a day at
your weight.  You may do better at 1800 on a 'bad' day and around 2000
or even a little higher on good days.  A lot of people have found that
in beginning LC they can eat quite a bit, exercise little or not at
all and STILL lose weight on around 10 calories per pound of body
weight.  1500 calories may leave you feeling deprived and
uncomfortable and more likely to 'cheat'.

Also, especially if you've been following a fairly low protein eating
plan for a while (many low-fat diets inadvertently become low-protein
because of the concerns of fat in the meat) you might find yourself
gaining a little weight at first as your muscles are rebuilt when you
start getting adequate protein intake.  This is a GOOD thing as
muscles are much more metabolically active than fat store so you'll
burn more calories even at rest when more of your body tissue is
muscle.  

Best of luck with your new way of eating (WOE).  I hope that you find,
as I did, that a LC plan leads to increased health and strength.

Aramanth
5 1/2 years a Low Carber.