<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Dear Listmates,

Many thanks to everyone who wrote me about their experiences following the
Dr. Atkins & The Zone diets.

Generally, while Dr. Atkins certainly does work, the people who wrote about
the Zone (author Barry Sears) liked it because allowed more variety from
all the food groups.

Unanimously, however, the verdict is that low carbohydrates is the way to go.

Other successful diets that people mentioned were: Weight Watchers, Heller
and Heller's Carbohydrate Addicts' Diet, the Montignac Diet - the most
popular diet in Europe, the Paleolithic Diet, Protein Power by the drs.
Eades, who are friends of Barry Sears.

Unanimously, however, the verdict is that low carbohydrates is the way to
go - so bye bye most everything I was eating on my low fat, nearly
vegetarian, admittedly high carb gluten free diet (amazing what you can put
on a rice cake!).

I must admit that having been very diligent and successful with Dr. Atkins
many (read many, many) years ago, I decided to start with it at this time
basically because of my familiarity with the regime.

However, I will be reading and learning "the rules" about the Zone soon.
The latest book, - Mastering the Zone - is apparently much easier to
understand that the first Zone book.

My plan is to lose 20 lbs. (which is still short of my goal weight) on
Atkins and change over to The Zone simply because from what people have
written, it sounds like it will allow me more leeway than Atkins. I also
cannot imagine not partaking of all the wonderful fresh veggies available
in the summer (simple carbohydrates), plus the Zone emphasizes more low fat
choices. Now and then I could still have rice - (it's a complex
carbohydrate, so morning is best).

There was a suggestion that I ask my physician to pay more attention to my
thyroid & as a matter of fact I will be having a follow-up lab test on that
in about three weeks. The last result was borderline according to the
doctor, but Rose wrote me that as I'm celiac, even a borderline reading
should be a signal to pay attention.

Thanks to Jerry I also found out that there is a Lowcarb listerv like this
one that deals with all these diets, from recipes support and encouragement
to detailed scientific data.
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with the following in the body of the message:   SUBSCRIBE LOWCARB-LIST

Some suggested websites are:
www.enterthezone.com
members.tripod.com/~Dietman2
eatprotein.com

Again, thanks to everyone who replied and sent encouraging messages. Good
luck to others who are also battling this mid-life bulge.

Helen