I used to read this forum for about a year. I did Atkins on and off for about 2 years (under 20 grams carbs). I say on and off because I could not stand eating fat and protein all the time, I never looked forward to eating, got sick of the same food every day and I could not stick to it. I did however lose 30-40 pounds about 3 times, but every damn day I used to to crave sugar like there was no tomorrow and after a while I would end up binging and getting back to my starting weight
Anyway 6 months I switched to a slightly lower calorie than maintenance bodybuilding diet eating 40% protein, 40% healthy carbs and 20% good fats and I feel great. I have lost 40 pounds and do not do any cardio exept for normal daily activity, but I do 3 weights sessions a week, doing all classic compound exercises with heavy weights (3 sets of 8-12 reps) to give a full body workout in minimum time. I have heaps more muscle and I have lost 6 inches off my waist in the past 4 months. I also eat 6 squares of chocolate every day and consume 2 litres of Coke Zero daily. If you want to read an article on sweetners read this
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=291569
Meanwhile, my mum and dad have both been busting their asses making Atkins meals every day for the last 3 months, and constantly cheating on their diet with wine, bread etc because they too can not stick to this diet. They have not lost any weight except the standard 4-5kg of water in 3 MONTHS! It is simply not something any sane person can do for their whole life. If you can, good on you, but I couldnt becasue I had no energy, I was always constapated and every day I would want to eat sugar, and put simply I wasnt happy.
I worked out that my maintenance calorie intake was about 3000 caloiries per day, so I cut 500 per day to 2500 calories and I have been dropping weight every week. With Atkins I was always a bit tired but now bounce around like I have ADHD , I have heaps of energy and I feel fantastic. I also look better than at the same weight on Atkins as I have more muscle.
One thing I learned on here is people alwasy end up talking about counting calories on Atkins.
Low carb diets work because you are eating less calories, they are still a low calorie diet. Whatever people say to you about this diet, remember this:
If you eat less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. If you want to lose weight and maintain muscle at the same time, do weight training 2-3 times a week on non consecutive days. Also if think you can do Atkins and eat 5000 calories a day, you will not lose weight, try it if you want
Even though you are eating fatty foods on atkins, you feel full quicker but still eat less calories. I know how Ketosis works, I studied nutrition at university, I was a real beleiver in low carbing for a long time, but at the end of the day, you can eat anything you want, just eat less of it, eat less than you burn and you will lose wieght. SIMPLE
Dont deny yourself, eat sensibly, eat healthy.
If you don't believe me, I don't care, do what you want. Good luck whatever you decide
PEACE