i feel like i am going into this in the dark. i guess because i don't know what to expect in the first month. i am eating right and exercising. when are the pounds going to drop off? my dad started atkins about a year ago and in the first 3 monthes he lost 40lbs. so that is what i am expecting i guess. which i shouldn't.

The general guideline is that you should expect to lose about 10% during the first two weeks (mainly water and glycogen) and 5% each month afterward. This also depends on many factors including dieting history and metabolic resistance.

If you look in you copy of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, you will see a chart that shows the average losses for different metabolic rates. It is also here: What is my degree of metabolic resistance? on the Atkins website.

I have to stress... this is not a fast weight loss plan as much as a new healthy way of eating. It is better for your healthy to lose more slowly and adjusting your lifestyle to this way of eating is more a guarantee that you won't put the weight back on.

I wish you luck... 5lbs is great!