I've been on Atkins since last June. In that time frame I have had a few controlled cheats that always caused about a four pound weight gain the next day. I have faithfully drunk about two gallons of water a day since I've started low carbing (natural thirst is unreal). During CAD I drank one diet soda a day during my RM (can't stomach the real stuff anymore, way too sweet)along with my coffee consumed in 15 minutes in the morning and the two gallons of water. I think I'll give it another go and start each RM with a salad and focus on really balancing the RMs more strictly. It did take me a few days to get over the hunger since I was used to snacking all day. On Atkins I ate about six times a day so that takes some getting used to. I found that after about a week I didn't care if I missed breakfast and could hold out until about 2 in the afternoon until my first meal. Some days I would only have one CM and then my RM.