Rating: 
Summary: Didn't realise how good I felt until I cheated for a month!
Review: I started this diet March '99, and it was the best thing I have ever tried. Up to August I had lost just under 40 LB (started off at 280 on a 5'6" frame) but then I went on holiday for a month to the US. And I had decided not to stick to the diet whilst there, as there were so many foods that I knew I wanted to eat. And about 1 week into my "little binge" I realised how bad I felt, physically I mean. I was always bloated, constantly passing gas (which was very embarrasing) and the tiredness came back. I also got nasty heartburn, and antacids wouldn't help.I also gained 22LB, and weighing myself really made me realise that what I know about the effects of carbs is more valuable than gold! I got back from my holiday 5 days ago, and started eating the proper way, starting with the induction again. And I find the results amazing! I am no longer bloated, no more passing gas and being embarrased, no more tiredness and no more heartburn! I think I forgot how good I felt not eating carbs, and didn't realise until I started eating them again, how horrible it made me feel. This has given me more motivation to carry on, and I WILL reach my target of 140 LB! And to those who think this diet is just meat, eggs and cheese... I feel sorry that you are so against this diet that you have no desire to look into a few more foods, or take notice of DR. Atkins' low carb recipes. The foods that I can eat only on the INDUCTION part of the diet is vast, you just have to open your mind and use your imagination.
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Summary: It does work, But............
Review: Today was the end of my first two weeks. My mother and I started this diet together. She was 164lbs and has lost 9lbs I was 230lbs and have lost 11lbs And we haven't even started exercising yet. One day last week I fell off the diet and had two Big Macs and I still kept loosing the weight. We never quite got total ketosis which is fine because I do not feel that is all that safe. The good things about this diet is - I don't get as hungry as I use to, my hunger pains have gone away as well as all my gas problems. I have had bad gas and heartburn problems my entire life and I have tried everything in the store to help with my gas and heartburn but nothing ever worked. Now I have no gas or heartburn. The bad things about this diet is - I still have not felt the energy burst everyone talks about and I still have all my cravings for sweets, I did have some headaches the first few days. My grocery bill went up by 30% Enough meat for a week cost a lot more then TV dinners and lunch meat. I do get tired of bacon and eggs and I do miss my cereal in the mornings. I am going to add more carbs to my dinner then the books says but just for dinner. I have been hearing more about the book "Carb Addicts" and I like the idea of having more carbs with dinner as a reward meal so I think I will try that. I do agree with a lot of people who said the book is poorly written also don't bother with the audio tape it is just one long commercial on how you should buy the book. I suggest you buy the paper back and a few other carb books and see which one works for you. I have No Doubt that Low Carbs and Low Sugar does work but remember its Low Carbs NOT No Carbs! I also would like to here from anyone who has been on this diet for years especially someone from when the book originally came out in the 70s Is there anyone still alive from then?
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Summary: I'll say it again...
Review: I find it amazing that the critics who have written in continue to say the Atkins way of eating doesn't work and is unhealthy. How can you tell hundreds of people who have had wonderful results, and not just short term, that it doesn't work? Do you think it is all in their heads and that their physicians who have monitored their health and watched it improve are lying to them? Are you an expert on everyone else's success/failure? I think not. You didn't see results because of something you did or some reaction your body had with lowering your carb intake. You are not me and I am not you. So stop telling me it doesn't work. It didn't work for you. And please tell me how almost eliminating sugar and junk food is a bad thing? I still eat the same amount of non-carb food that I did before. For those of you who are stuck on the high-fiber diets that have been drilled into our heads for years, I am not saying that way of eating doesn't work, but I am saying that not any one physician has the answer for everyone's weight problems. If this old way of eating is so effective, why are the majority of Americans obese with several health problems? Atkins asks people to give up the junk and to put an end to the sugar cravings. Again, what is wrong with that? And as with any diet or eating plan, if you are successful on it, you lose weight and get healthy. If you go off of it and return to your old eating habits, you will most certainly gain the weight back. Why in the heck would you even go back to your old way of eating anyway? Let's use some common sense and be adults about this. If you've read the book correctly, you understand the the purpose is to get to a point where you have significantly reduced your carbohydrate intake and are able to eat balanced meals without gaining weight. I, too, do not have gas anymore from eating high carb food. I do not feel bloated after eating. I have massive amounts of energy and sleep much better. I have NEVER experienced constipation, dizziness, headaches (actually, my headaches have ceased), stomach cramps or any other horrible side effect. Not to say that someone else won't either, because everyone is different. Critics: keep your blatant criticism to yourself unless it can assist us with modifying this way of eating to help those of us who choose to do this. Your uninformed, rude at times, useless comments are usually skipped. After all, no one pulls up this review looking for negative remarks. People are looking for answers and hope for a resolution to their weight problems. Offer helpful critiques of the book. Or don't write in at all.
Rating:
Summary: A sensible 4-phase permanent plan
Review: I followed the principles of this diet in college with great results. However, I capitulated to the overwhelmingly adverse literature and began to follow the low fat/food pyramid for the last several years -- with NO success. I have steadily gained weight, eating less than my 9 year old son!! So, I have resumed the diet and, it works. Dr. Atkins' plan does not suggest staying on the induction phase indefinitely (only eating bacon/eggs/steak)as many people seem to mistakenly think. The point of the induction phase is to adjust your body's metabolic pathways to burn the fat -- to 'prime the pump', if you will. Dr. Atkin's revolution is that this is a 4 phase plan of altering your eating -- permanently. Each phase adds some carbs/fruits/vegetables to each individual's tolerance. He clearly states that if you go back to your old habits, you'll regain the weight. So, good luck to anyone who thinks this would help them, remember to READ the entire book, that you can have sugar/carb withdrawal headaches (it's normal), DRINK all and more of the water recommended, TAKE the vitamins, LOSE the weight, and CONGRATULATE YOURSELF for making an intelligent and healthy choice that is just right for you!
Rating: 
Summary: Good diet, poorly written book
Review: The diet works, but the book is very poorly written. Instead of explaining how and why the diet works, Dr. Atkins presents conspiracy theories, promotes his own (expensive) products, provides lots of pep talks, and uses "case studies" to "prove" his diet works. If you want to understand the science behind this and other low-carbohydrate diets, read "Protein Power" by Michael and Mary Dan Eades.
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Summary: Works great, but does have side affects
Review: I was a little overweight, and I didnt like constantly torturing myself in the gym, so I tried this book. The results were amazing, I lost 15 pounds (and continuing) in 2-3 weeks. Unless my scale is totally messed up, thats some incredible results- I never seen a diet work that affectively for anybody. But, and there is a big but, it has some serious side affects, most noticeably the constant stomach/abdominal cramps. No, I am not a woman. I take multivitamins constantly, but it doesnt seem to help the problems. I guess there is no such thing as a "perfect" diet, and if you can tolerate the cramps, in exchange for serious weight loss, I would recomend this book/diet. The diet itself is quite simple, albeit inconvenient. I still go to the gym, but thats more for mental satisfaction, than to see any results- I know the weight loss is because of the diet.
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Summary: Lose Weight by Torturing and Killing Animals
Review: Hey, instead of increasing your consumption of meat, eggs and cheese, why not just go to a stockyard and start beating cattle with a stick? That'll burn off those excess calories. Perhaps a nice day de-beaking baby chicks or beating injured sows?This diet is a travesty. It may make you lose weight but it is extremely unhealthy and incredibly cruel to animals.
Rating: 
Summary: Tired, hungry, and GAINED 5 pounds!
Review: A lot of my friends have lost massive amounts of weight. If you only need to lose 10-15 pounds, this probably won't work for you, either. The book, did, however, give a lot of insight about how carbohydrates can work against you (like my Coca-Cola habit....) PS. DON'T skip the fiber laxative!!! :)
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Summary: Fifteen months later and still 25 lbs down
Review: In the summer of '98, my nephew was living proof that this worked. I dropped 30 lbs. Cholesterol remains a problem so I don't eat cheese, butter, or bacon anymore. I eat whole grains and fruits sparingly. When I pick up a pound or two, I cut back. I'm still in the 180s, my target range.
Rating:
Summary: I wasn't convinced that this would work but....
Review: I started this program around June 1, 1999 and as of today, to my amazement, have lost 50 lbs! I found the book to be helpful, but have often referred to other informative sources such as locarbliving.com, protein power, sugarbusters, etc. for support! I have tried countless weight loss programs to no avail!
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