I started on Atkins in September 2003, and it took until November before people began to notice. I didn't advertise it, or talk about it. But when asked, I told people what I was doing. By the end of March, I'd lost 60 pounds, and I'm creeping toward 70 (which I probably won't hit till June at this rate).
People noticed bigtime after 50 pounds. So, at my office, no less than half a dozen people have jumped on the wagon. One of my perverse little pleasures was when I realized that I wasn't the heaviest person I knew anymore; not the heaviest person in the company anymore; not even the heaviest person in the branch office anymore (I'm still 2nd place).
Anyway, of those who have jumped in, only a couple really needed it. One is a guy who is 6'7" tall and is now about 30 pounds heavier than I am. It's no victory to be smaller than he is, since he should outweigh me, but dammit it's been so long since I was lighter than
anybody.
Another, who is also a very big guy, has lost more than 70 pounds. He's in our Dallas office and we talk about it all the time. We're both amazed.
Another is a rail-thin guy who is convinced he's overweight.
Another is a woman in our office who can't be bothered to read the book. She went on "low carb" but still eats oatmeal and a banana every morning, and has lost no weight.
My mother also went on it, and has lost very little because she cheats often. She still likes it because she isn't gaining any weight despite working out daily.
My brother, who isn't fat at all, got on it to help with his weight training. Loves it, although he isn't very dedicated.
Anyway, it seems to me that this way of eating is very viral in terms of the way it spreads. It didn't have a low fat industry or food company interests pushing it until very recently. It's been a very quiet revolution. I feel good about every one of those people who I helped get onto this way of eating, and even if I retake the crown of heaviest person in the company, I won't feel
too bad. It's a case of doing good by doing well, and I'd bet that any TDCer who has lost significant weight has spawned many others who might have a chance at a better life just by your examples.
Scott