Contrary to many popular opinions, and even to some people that call themselves nutritionalists, low-carbohydrate dieting is not the terrible thing that many people try to make it out to be. The only problem is that people always automatically connect lo-carbohydrate dieting with the Atkins variety that wants to promote the idea that you can eat as much fat, any type of fat, that you want and that you should continue this lifestyle for the rest of your life.

This is what goes against common sense. We all know now that you should not consume large amounts of saturated fat and that foods and oils that contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat have been shown to actually reduce overall cholesterol levels. Focus on the sources of protein that you select - skinless chicken, turkey, fish (not burgers and fries) and the types of fats that you consume (most foods now show not only the total fat contained but break it down into the three individual types). Also, a lo-carbo diet does not have to be ridiculously low as many plans try to let on. Try about 100 grams per day rather than the 20-25 that some plans suggest. The key is to curb your appetite. Low carbohydrate dieting sets the body into ketosis, which, unless you are a diabetic, will not kill you either. (It can lead to ketoacidosis if you are diabetic).

Low carbohydrate diets do help to control your appetite so that you can lose weight. What you do have to do, however, is make a resolution (and stick with it) that once you do lose the weight you will get into some sort of physical activity to keep it off. Take a multivitamin and include sources of fiber, which should come from hi-fiber, low-carbo veggies and/or a fiber supplement.

Remember that the fiber contained in foods is often considered to be "carbohydrates" and these grams of fiber can be subtracted from the carbo total to get the actual grams of "available carbohydrate".

Living on a low-carbohydrate diet long enough to lose the weight certainly is not as hard on your body as if you carry around the extra weight (especially if it is a lot of it) for the rest of your life.

A low-carbohydrate diet is what allowed me to lose 65 pounds when I was in high school and go from being the "fat kid" to being able to join the cross-country running and track teams, run the Marine Corps Marathon twice, then do a transcontinental bicycle ride. You just have to promise yourself that once you get it off you're going to keep it off.