I was in a horrible accident in 1992 where a person hit me at 50 MPH while I was a standstill and almost broke my neck and back-they never put their brakes on. The orthopedic surgeon said that my entire spine was injured and I was lucky to be able to walk again. After more than two years in physical therapy, rounds of nerve block injections to stop the pain, I finally got a cervical fusion at three levels with titanium plate with screws. The doctor strongly suggested lower back surgery but I had had it at that point and walked away. Fast forward 20 years and I have gotten progressively worse. Although my neck is fine, my lower back continues to deteriorate and ultimately am now looking at surgery. I am in so much pain when I work (I've been a photographer my entire life), I can't stand for very long, nor exercise, so I watched the pounds slowly come on and of course would eat out of sympathy. I've gained more than 50 pounds in those 20 years and just recently was fed-up when someone close to me said (in a kind way) maybe if I lost a bit of weight it would help my back. Well, that did it. I decided to go on the Atkins and in two months have lost over 20 lbs.! I am so driven! I will be getting surgery in hopes that once I am recovered I can walk and bike again and do all the things that my friend and family do without having to stop and take the pressure off my back or stop completely out of frustration. I don’t know why I waited this long to do this. But the plan is wonderful and it's working for me so far!