[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

"If you stick to a low carb diet, eating only non-manufactured foods, you will quickly lose that sweet tooth, and will lose the desire to eat bread and pasta! Now, Atkins bars and shakes are much better from a health point of view than the sugar alcohol products, but should only be used as a back-up strategy, not as part of a daily eating plan."

You are not kidding about the sweet tooth thing. I have been a all carbs all the time kind of guy for most of my life. I went on the Atkins last September and lost 40 lbs. before Xmas. It took about 2-3 weeks for me to detox from the sugar based diet that I had been on for so long. After that, it was not that difficult to stick with and it was the first diet that allowed me to maintain a stable energy level throughout the day. I did find that the Atkins bars did slow my weight loss so I stopped using them except for once a week or so.

Unfortunately, I returned to my old ways after Xmas due to a lack of money (good food isn't cheap but a cup of ramen noodles is $.34) and due to the stress of looming bankruptcy, unemployment, a failing business, and the associated depression that seems to follow. I did finally get a good job that starts this week and I will go back to the Atkins as soon as I get a paycheck. I put on over 50 lbs since January. (D'oh)

[SamAdams76]

Congrats on finding a job. Now you can take care of your health again. You are right, it is more expensive to eat right. My grocery bill has been higher. But since I don't go to restaurants as much as I used to (or order in pizza), it's a wash.

[SwinneySwitch]

Go for a 30 - 45 min. walk, Sunnyvale. It helps with both stress and depression, plus burns up calories! Good luck on the new job!

[Queen Jadis]

due to a lack of money (good food isn't cheap but a cup of ramen noodles is $.34) and due to the stress of looming bankruptcy, unemployment, a failing business, and the associated depression that seems to follow. I did finally get a good job that starts this week and I will go back to the Atkins as soon as I get a paycheck. I put on over 50 lbs since January. (D'oh)

I lost my job and delt with depression and an ensuing weight gain of 301bs so I know what you mean. Trader Joes has some good cheap food..do you have one near your location?