Ten years ago, I lost 100 pounds on Atkins. My weight crept back up and I found myself at the same starting weight in June. I think I read that this kind of thing happens with 85% of all dieters, regardless of what diet they followed. I started a low carb diet again in late June of this year, and just like before, the weight came off with a maximum of 40 or so net carbs.

My blood glucose and A1C really improved, as well. I am a Type 2 diabetic, so this was important to me. My cholesterol improved, but not much.

I have some good friends who are long term plant eaters (vegan or whole food plant based--you choose the name). I decided to see what that was like . I worried that a sudden increase in carbs would result in a sudden gain, but it didn't happen.

What did happen was that my blood glucose went even lower, so low that I was taken off the rest of my diabetes meds. My blood pressure got lower too, so my BP meds were cut in half. I won't be checking cholesterol until January, but if that goes down, too, it will be the trifecta for me. All this while eating about 5X (4X net)the carbs I was eating when I low carbed. I eat only plant based foods and no added oils. This AM I had a big bowl of steel cut oats, a Tbsp of Chia Seeds, and a heap of blueberries. It works for me.

When most people, myself included, say we're doing 'low carbs' what you're saying is exactly what we're doing, cutting out processed 'simple carbs' Most I know eat only nutritious veggies and fruits and limit their 'treats' to a minimum.

So to say that I never thought low carb is a good plan
is kindof contradictory to your next sentence.

When you are doing CICO, you can eat whatever you want as long as you stay in your RDI. This can lead to a very unhealthy lifestyle. But if you go low carb (eliminate simple carbs) it ultimately leads to a lower calorie intake.

I count carbs and it's the only way I see results . I'm not a fanatic about it but I eat very little bread . It quite easy to substitute other things for bread- I always have bunless burgers with lots of veggies sitting on a bed of lettuce . I actually prefer it that way . A large green leaf lettuce leaf makes an excellent substitute for a tortilla! I will indulge in chips occasionally but I buy the small individual packs to limit my consumption. I like not feeling so bloated after my meals now...I have to add I don't count complex carbs at all - I eat carrots, bananas and grapes as it's the simple carbs I try to restrict or eliminate.

I too did atkins many years ago and lost 30 lbs in 2 months... but found that when I went off the "ranch" one time for a "small" order of french fries (because I was hungry and had not prepared my lunch), the resulting insulin spike, and hormone responses made me feel like a crack addict! I ran right back to the snackbar and ordered an entire basket of fries and a soda, and the wheels came off my Atkins wagon. Truly recommend the common sense, balanced approach to eating. Research Scoobysworkshop.com nutrition section and weight loss section. Then check out his fast calorie calculator under the fitness tools section. I am within 5 lbs or where his tools said I would be when I started in January 2014... and his info is all FREE!