MareCat wrote:

> Since then, he's gained back a few pounds, but he's
> been able to maintain his weight by following a
> lower/smarter carb diet.

About 2 years ago, I eliminated most of the carbs
from my diet, lost 40 pounds over about 9 months,
and have kept it off for over a year. I think a low-carb
approach is a good one for some people, but it may
be just as important to break your old dietary habits.

A no-grain diet might have been just as successful,
considering that grain-based foods were most of my
calories before my current diet. For somebody else,
a no-nightshade-foods diet might be the right one,
if it gets them to stop eating potatoes.

If you have a weight problem, it may be useful
to look at what you're doing now, and stop doing it.
I have a pet theory that for many people a
successful diet is simply something which gets
you out of your old rut.