Atkins is nothing more than a fad diet. The idea isn't to lower your overall carbs to a low amount (especially as most people forget that pretty much anything but water and air have carbs), but rather, to cut out the worst offenders, the starchy carbs. In other words, bread, pasta, white potatoes and white rice. Most Americans eat those in excessive amounts, and once their metabolism starts slowing down, don't adjust their intake to prevent the excessive carbs from adding to their waste line (and elsewhere).
Cutting out carbs altogether is nearly impossible (as I already pointed out), which is why I say diets like Atkins are nothing more than fads. Limit your starchy carb intake, and practice portion size control, along with exercise, and you'll see better results. Turn those practices into a lifestyle, and you'll not only see the pounds go away, you'll see them STAY away. :thumbsup: