[misplaced southerner]

well said joy. there is a "science" behind what dr. atkins is doing here. the elimination of so many things that affect our bodies is extremely important. so, it is also important to follow VERY CAREFULLY "climbing the rungs." we all react differently to different things. you won't discover your "trigger foods" or those things that cause adverse reactions unless you start "clean" and go from there.

and, for what it is worth, while i do understand what you were thinking with the substitutions, and i am NOT making accusations (please understand) i know how easy it becomes to say "well THIS time i will switch this for that" and before you know it, you are doing something that might vaguely resemble atkins but is really not the real deal. it happens (happened) to lots of us!

the bottom line.....get "clean" and go from there. you have a great attitude about atkins. i know you will be successful. for two weeks, follow it TO THE LETTER. you will be amazed at what happens to your body. joy is SO RIGHT...it is SO MUCH MORE THAN WEIGHT LOSS.

please keep us posted on any changes you make and...i wanna hear about your success!