I bought the first book around Christmas time (2007) and started out doing that. Then I got on the low carb forums and read about how many people were doing much more restrictive low carb diets such as Atkins so I started leaning more towards that way. I find myself having more cravings this way though, so I think the Schwarzbein Principle way is a much more balance way of eating and way of life, one that you can actually stick to and not even feel like you're dieting or being deprived. I'm a registered nurse and believe the SP diet is a very rounded out and healthy diet. I'm very glad to find this particular support group because when you read the other groups forums you feel like a cheat or failure because going totally no carb/very low carb for me just isn't realistic or even desirable.