My boyfriend: At risk for prostate cancer (has a rising PSA count), a wheat belly, knee pain, and chronic pain in the foot. He's been low carbing for 2 weeks and the foot pain disappeared in 3 days! He was astounded. He gets the results of his latest PSA test tomorrow. I don't think 2 weeks is enough to stabilize it, but fingers crossed. Oh, and the wheat belly is definitely diminishing.

My childhood friend in England: Fybromyalgia, sleep apnea, palsy in left hand and foot, 50-70lbs overweight. She won't take my advice seriously. Sigh.

Almost all my girlfriends in the US: They ooh and ah over my weightloss, they listen to what I say, but they do their own thing. Sigh.

My boss: Diabetic. Italian. Food lover. He's doing what his diabetes doctor told him, which is eat anything he wants in moderation (!). He has lost 17lbs but has much more to go and who knows how long this approach will be sustainable for him - it sure hasn't been for any of us here!