I started Jan of 2003 so it is hard for me to remember back that far ... but I had many little health problems also. I had most of those problems (chronic bronchitis instead of asthma) and they are all gone. I use to take over the counter medications everyday and they wanted to put me on several prescriptions everyday.

The only real problem that I remember is that for the first 3 to 6 months -- when I ate carbs (cheated) the acid reflux was 10X worse than ever. Now I never have acid reflux -- I can eat sausage, hot sauce, you name it -- and never get acid reflux. Well, I think that if I were to eat a lot of sugary foods (which I don't do anymore) then I assume that all those health problems (including acid reflux) would come back.

One of the best things is all the energy you get. I use to want to sleep 12 hours per day and then move to the couch. I thought that I had that chronic fatigue syndrome. Now, when i don't cheat, I am up at 5 AM and go until 10 or 11 PM. Before my mind pushed my body -- and I felt the stress from it. Now my body pulls my mind and I don't feel the stress from it.



Just follow the diet, try to keep your total carb intake as low as possible, cheat as little as possible, exercise (if you are 50+ pounds -- just walk -- don't try jogging), and take supplements like Atkins Basic 3 and lots of Omega 3s fatty acids.



It took about six months for me to lose 50 pounds and to get rid of all those symptoms. I lost 20 pounds first month, and then did not lose for about 2 months and then dropped another 30 pounds I have not lost any weight for the last year -- but I continue to lose inches and build muscle. For the last year I have been readjusting my hormones and building muscle.



I actually use to get a "buzz" from eating a lot of bread like pizza and subs. I don't miss them anymore -- I do miss chocolate. To help with the cravings -- I use to eat my way out of them. Just start eating so much (zero carb foods) until I thought I was going to explode and could not possibly eat a chocolate cake even if it was sitting right in front of me. Fat will help curb your cravings. Get plenty of the Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil, borrage oil, flaxseed oil, safflower oil). These will help curb cravings and are good for you. Some people take huge amounts of these. I take about six per day and find that they help a lot to curb cravings. Chromium is also good to curb cravings.

I would suggest that you get pork rinds -- because some people can not stay on the diet because they miss "crunching" on things. Pork rinds give you the crunch are are zero carbs.



I replied to let you know that it is not just one person that has "been there -done that". The diet works, but you have to follow the diet.

Good luck. Think about all the problems you will no longer have to deal with.