First of all, thank you for your honesty in questioning what you are doing.
It is refreshing.
Second, although I have not reached a goal weight yet, I can attest to having several friends, including an excellent Dr. who have reached their goal weight.
Very few people read the book in its entirety and as a writer myself I must say that it takes a re-read to get at many of the important points in the book.
The bottom line to me if you are not losing at the pace you wish to lose at is:
Up your exercise !!!!
If you want to continue losing at the pace you did at first, then stay at induction level carbs.
Read the book and it will come clear that you may have to stay low carb, watch caloric intake and exercise to reach your goal.
The success stories that I am intimate with are solid, these men had over 50 pounds to lose and did it in a short time. They never went to a forum for support. So the stories may not get out there !
As far as health concerns, again read the book.
When I get into it with people who tell me how sick this diet will make me, I dont ask for evidence because the Dr. I know will let them have it. Instead I remark on the weekly science report on being overweight. This week, in yesterdays New York Times, they had an article about women who are pregnant and being overwieght/obese. The article said if you are overwieght chances are sometimes 50% more likely that your child will have birth defects. Last week it was the American Cancer society which said if you are overwieght you are 20% more likely to get cancer. If you think the diet is killing me, what about my weight?
People usually get too embarassed to harass me then !
I think that you should check out the Zone diet, it is a sensible way of eating.
Good luck !