Hi JoAnn. I started with Atkins on November 30th, after the 2-week induction I had lost about 8 pounds which isn't too bad. However, I too, was getting majorly bored with the food. I love most of the allowed foods, but it was still difficult finding variety. I don't eat pork or shellfish, so forget that -- and the pork rinds for snacking. And, soy flour and protein powder -- what on earth possessed anyone to create this stuff -- I'd rather eat raw liver...UGH!! Its like burnt cardboard dipped in axle grease -- plain gross.
Anywhoo -- I switched over to CAD/CALP almost four weeks ago and love it!! I stick with eggs, cheese, and meat (sometimes some veggies) for breakfast; at lunch its meat and a salad or meat and veggies, or just veggies or a salad...depending on what I'm in the mood for. Sometimes, I'll skip breakfast and lunch, opting for a nice brunch made up of a variety of the above -- properly proportioned. For dinner, I have what I want using the guidelines that the Hellers suggest -- including dessert. Whether its: cake, pie, ice cream, fruit, jell-o, pudding, fudge, cookies -- etc. etc. etc. I sometimes have a mug of hot cocoa early in the AM and a mug of hot tea during the day. For lunch and dinner, its usually iced tea -- occasionally a soda or wine...even juice.
I am much more satisfied and am not hungry at all. And, I don't 'crave' like I use to, because I know that if I want something, I just have to make the means for it. You can't go overboard -- yet, if you make an occasional 'boo-boo', its not the end of the world. It'll slow you down, but you can go on. Read the books, follow the suggestions, and enjoy. You may have to tweak things here and there as you go along, as you find things that slow you down: white bread or sugar subs for example. You'll only lose 1-2 pounds a week, give or take -- like Atkins after induction -- yet its easier to live with and fit into your life.
Good luck to you, your sister and your mom. Don't give up!! I pray this has helped you. Now -- go get the books and read. Oh, and don't switch unless its really what 'you' want to do -- not because of what I or others have said. Have a great day and God bless.
P.S. I had to do some tweaking my first 2-weeks on CAD/CALP due to confusing it with Atkins -- I've lost about 2.5 pounds since I started CAD/CALP, plus what I lost during induction and in the interum of the two, for a total of almost 14 pounds since November 30th. I'm happy!!