Hello, I am a newbie also, and I have "failed" on my low carbs in the past. However this time it has been different, and I can only share what is working for me, nobody else. Personally, I totally skipped induction, and am not really abiding by the Atkins books. I took most of the philosophy and changed it to meet my needs. I incorporate all the "non-legal in induction" substitutes..i.e. atkins bread, lc ice-cream/bars etc, into my everyday diet and I am losing weight just fine. I guess this works because I practice portion control with these things...I don't have four atkin bars at once, or three bowls of the mornig start ceral. Some people find these subs just too close to the real thing, and they end up overdoing it. They just don't do that for me. However, if I hit a plateau, I might be singing a different tune. Also, thistime around I am listening to my body. One day I was so sick, nauseaus, faint and weak...I knew I needed something with some sugar in it to help me be well. I have two small children, so feeling sick is not an option!!
So, I picked a healthy lower-carb fruit...strawberries. I had a big bowl, and felt better in 10 minutes. I don't haveto do thatanymore, because eventually you adjust. But I am not going to suffer for a way of eating...thats is why I love low carb!
However, my friend can eat less than 20 carbsaday, and feel fine. I do try to aim at the lowest number possible. My weight keepscoming off, so I am not worried. You may or may not have asimilar experience...but I say relax..andenjoy the many benifits of low carbing...lowered appetite, freedom from binging...and great food! Hope this helped ....... Meredith