Tom,
Oddly enough Susan and I started South Beach yesterday. As you may recall, I lost 50 pounds on Atkins a couple of years ago. It was easy and I enjoyed the change in eating style.
Almost two years ago, my mother and step-father moved in with me, and last Sept. Susan became ill. To be brief, none of them could or would eat as I did, so I slowly fell into bad habits and gained about half the weight back.
Now Susan has finished her Chemo, my mother has passed away and Ralph has moved to Illinois to be with his "real" kids, so it is time to get trim and slim again.
I think I like the choices on South Beach a little better than Atkins, although they are quite similar. After you lose the weight you want, the Maintenace part allows you many great choices.
Good luck. I'll bet you a Crawfish Dinner I lose more than you! No fries of course.
DonM