stella, i started out very slow but eventually i started to lose...i began the atkins mid may of this year and i am down 25 lbs. i just kept at it, even when i stalled...these forums have helped me tremendously, just by following the advice from other's who are in the same boat or who have been successful at it. even my cholesterol has droped from dangerous levels to levels i can safely live with...i've been ill lately, and not on the board much, and living with friends the last 3 weeks, and 2 weeks in the hospital before that...i'm home now and feeling sooooo much better! all this time i stayed as close to my atkins diet as i could and the results were not nil. even my medication has been gaurenteed not to put weight on me. you can do this...good luck and stay with it!