Got to tell you my story

I was very anti-atkins, mostly from not knowing much about it beyond the fact that it limited fruit

Well, as a marathon runner who has gained 7 pounds in the process of training due to overconsumption of carbs (I have no fat on me but I am larger and I do weigh more), the light has gone off. After browsing atkins.com, I understand the program. I have changed much of my snacking from high-carb to low-carb, which has been miraculous in controlling my hunger. And I intend on starting atkins as soon as my marathon is over - which is in about 3 weeks (I've come too far at this point to start experimenting with going to really restricted carbs and finding out it affects my marathon performance!)

Anyhow, thought I'd provide that story, because I know a lot of people tout the "exercise and eat a high carb" diet routine, including me. But all the exercise (50+ miles a week of running plus biking) drastically increased my hunger, and unfortunately, I turned to carbs to get over that hunger, which really was increasing the total amount that I was eating each day, because I was never satisfied

What a difference it has been with low-carb snacking. A HUGE difference