Have been Atkins for four and a half months and have lost only nine pounds. Went all the way back to the basics and found that a) was drinking way too much diet soda, b) NOT drinking enough water, much as I hate the stuff, and c) not exercising, which I hate even more than water. I'm allergic to the sun, too- break out in big fat hives when I'm out more than about five minutes. So, I'm trying to switch the proportion of soda and water, and it seems to be helping. I was down about a pound this week. The strips were always purple, so that wasn't a help. My diet partner, however, has lost twenty-five pounds. Good for him. He eats way more than I do, unfortunately, but is also much more active. I have a physical job but don't move fast and don't want to.