thanks for the responses....I totally agree with ketosis being a necessity to burn stored fat, but what about maintenance? once the weight is lost, if the ultimate goal is to control insulin response, couldn't a less strict diet of low gi foods have the same ultimate effect as counting carbs and trying to stay under some magic #? I just don't want to have to count carb grams forever, as long as I am aware of how certain foods effect my body and am able to keep insulin responses low. maybe I just have to see what works for me.....