For years, I lived with my excess weight and even joked in a self-deprecating way about it. I pretended, as many obese people tend to do, to be "happy" with myself just the way I was. I would also scoff at all the latest diet crazes out there, knowing that nearly all of the people pushing the latest diet was a charlatan and a fraud, making money off the obese by scamming them.
But I was not happy being obese. I did not like having to sit down in a chair to tie my shoes. I did not like huffing and puffing to just climb a flight of stairs and telling my sons that today was "not a good day" to play catch because I was just so damn tired and just wanted to sit in a chair all day. I did not like going to the "big and tall" shop to get overpriced clothing that never really fit right or looked good on you. I hated having my shirt come untucked everytime I bent over (or having my pants rip). I also hated the uncontrollable urge to "finish" every bag of chips or cookies I ever opened (or any kind of food, for that matter). I hated the back pain I got whenever I tried to do something strenous. I can go on and on with the various indignities that obese people just learn to live with.
Well the low-carb plan I went on changed all of that, hopefully forever. Doesn't have to be Atkins but Atkins has the right idea. Whatever low-carb path is chosen (combined with exercise) is likely to be successful for those who have struggled with obesity their whole lives.