I can't believe the difference that I feel on this WOE. I have been keeping my calories around 1500, a little low considering all of my activity. However, I feel more energetic and less hungry than I did when I was eating over 2000 calories, a great deal of which came from fruit.

I also am much calmer and happier. I feel that this plan could work for me! Last summer/fall I had been doing more of a Zone style eating. So, this is not too foreign to my body, but this still is much different even from that type of diet.

Over the last few months I have been a little lax about eating and had too much fruit and even some sugar. I only had small amounts, but it definitely made a difference. I was much more tired and hungry despite eating much more. I gained weight even with swimming 2+ hours a day and weight lifting!

I think I definitely have a sugar/carb intolerence. I just feel so much better without it. Here's the thing: I am a competitive college swimmer. Eating this was is seen as taboo. While protein consumption is now being hyped, carbs still are said to be the main staple of an athlete's diet. I don't know how to explain this to my friends and teammates. I just know this works well for me. Maybe not for others, I don't know how other people react, just how I do.

I haven't trained intensively while on Atkin's. But I did while Zone style eating and thrived tremendously. I've only been doing Atkin's for 11 days. I have worked out at the gym intensively and lifted weights, and light swimming. I just haven't done any major swim workout, so I don't know how this will affect me in the future.

I plan to be in OWL, or the 3rd phase by the time I return to competitive swimming. So maybe I will be OK, I don't know. Well thanks for reading this long long post. I just wanted to get some things out in the open because I don't have any one in person who understands!

I know just what you mean about feeling great on low/no carbs. It sounds like you have a great attitude and I know this is really going to work well for you. Keep on keeping on and good luck on that swim team!

I'm so glad you're feeling so great on this WOE. I know exactly what you mean though, because I feel fantastic! I usually don't tell people that I'm on Atkins. If they ask, I just tell them that I'm watching my sugar (or "I'm just not in the mood for pasta"). I get tired of explaining what Atkins is all about to people who really don't even want to understand it in the first place, you know? So, if I were you, I wouldn't even tell them anything! Good luck!