I am pretty sure I am incapable of exercising off ten lbs in two weeks. No doubt exercise is a good thing, but the average 40-50 something WILL lose weight if they stick to 20 grams or less of carbs per day for two weeks.

Are you saying it does not work Mark? Or are you just stating the obvious that smaller portions and exercise are good for ones health? My 60 yr old dad did this a few years ago to lose weight before a wedding and my wife's boss is doing it now. Both lost over twenty pounds in a relatively short period of time. IT WORKS (again, I did not say it is healthy, BUT IT WORKS)

Sure it works, you loose muscle mass and water weight along with a bit of fat. If losing weight is the goal then yes it works. If better health is the goal then no it doesn't work. Myself, I'll stick with loosing a little fat every week and being healthy vs. instant gradification, (and still looking bad in a swim suit) :D

Everyone is different, different things work for different people. Although, really, most things don't actually work for anyone! Most that try to diet really (1) don't lose any significant weight at all, and (2) if they do, the weight is back, and then some, within a year or two.

"Eat less and exercise more" in theory works, and will work for some, but my guess is if that is the only plan, 99% will fail.

Low/reduced carbs was like a miracle for me. I should try to dig up some before and after pics, it's pretty amazing.

You are exactly right. And most of the time it's mental. If you firmly believe in a diet it will work short term.
And good for you on the weight loss!

Mother here in LV told me either I lose weight or the alternative would not be pretty. She said I have a choich? She said you have been putting the wrong fuel in your body, that I could eat all the Meat, Cheese and Veggies I wanted. ( I thought UMMM that means 2 Ribeyes if I wanted...she said the right words). She said 60 grams of Carbs a day in 3 meals. I have been under a 100 a day for sure, more like 60-80. I don't count every little one. That is pointless.

Last time I saw her in September she said I am the reason why she is in the bizness she is in. I took her at her word and did something about it. I lost about 55 lbs as of this mornining. My goal is another 25 or so. I have been plateaued basically for about 6 months, and now seem to be dropping again? I am not pushing it, and eat pretty well..I just keep away from the Starches..pasta, rice, bread, potatoe, and SUGAR. Not a problem really.

I thought at first that my fat intake would keep my Cholestral high but it to has dropped to 163..coulda fooled me?

I feel better, look better and have more energy to lift the fork. The switch to lift the fork as much seems to have been turned down as well. If I want a Buffet I go to one..I just watch the carbs..

I picked up a book in a Thrift store for 20 cents called "Living Low Carb" the author presented about 6 or 7 different Low Carb diet programs. It seems that no one has a lock on which is the best or sure fire one. Pick which one you like or works best for you. I think 20 grams a day is nutz, not sustainable. One needs a happy medium that gets U to your optimum weight, which you can maintain.

The main conclusion of the book seems to be that saturated fat isn't a big culprit, that the transfats are far worst for you. That low fat foods that are so highly touted as being heart healthy aren't. One train of thought is that man is genetically predisposed to eat meat, berrys and nuts and that carbs in quanities go against genetics. The worst for you of all is processsed sugar...pure poison.

I was using Aspartame in my coffee, now I have switched to Splenda and now I am losing weight again? I wonder if it was the Aspartame that was holding me back?

One other thing about sugar...rats won't go near it. They leave cereal with sugar on it alone, as well as soda pop and juice drinks with sugar in them. They also leave Bleached flour alone as well. They do love beer and will shred alumimum cans to get at it.

So if a rat won't it eat it how good for you is it?

Couldn't agree more. What gets me is when people say a low carb diet. You aren't on a low carb diet. It's a 'normal' carb diet. Unless of course they do the Atkins or whatever for a week or two. Or until they are so irritable they go back to feasting. Just because folks hogfest all their lives then decide, "I'm fat" they go on a 'low carb' diet when in actuality it is what they should have been eating all along.
But still do yourself a favor... Exercise!!! Look at it this way. You'll have the strengh & energy to lift a bigger silver spoon ;)

Glycogen is the form carbs are turned into for storage in your liver. Think of it as short term carbohydrate parking, your fat stores are long term parking.

If you don't change your habits, you will not change anything permanently, that is why diets fail to give long term results.

I am generally of the opinion that the more processed a food is, the worse it is for you.

Great analogy.
Anything you put into your body turns into energy, in one form or another, Imagine if our P-cars did the same thing!