I have been on this diet for about 9 weeks now and have had incredible loss....the first 4 weeks. I have lost nothing in 5 weeks and if it wasn't for my purple ketone strips and my 25 lb. weight loss in that first month I would feel like a total failure! But I am committed to this WOL and for the first time in years I have energy, but still I want and NEED to lose weight. I keep reading about a calorie restriction on the Atkins plan, what is the calorie restriction number...is there a majic #? Should I go "French" and eat mini meals (which I don't like) or should I stick to only eating 2 times a day like I have been. I am drinking a lot and taking coral calcuim and other supplements and I am swimming for exercise. How long is a plateau or would it be a stall (since I am not losing inches either) supposed to last and what gets you over the hump? Please help my last straw was when I gained a lb this morning!!!!!