I agree, you really have to find what works for you as we are all 'special snowflakes' in our own right.

I dont follow a set path either. I guess i do LC/HF but no set diet plan like Atkins/South Beach/Etc. I keep my carbs under 50g a day net, most of them coming from veggies and/or beans. If i want an apple with peanut butter, ill eat that tho and just make it fit with my carb goals. I eat about 100g of protein a day and fill the rest in with fats. Since i keep my carbs low, i dont eat bread and other baked goodies, which helps me stay off wheat anyway. I also dont drink milk because it upsets my tummy but i can eat cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, cream, etc just fine. If i do a protein shake, coffee or something else with a decent amount of milk, i use coconut milk.

Fats can be easy to get once you realize what you've been missing. I will fresh strawberries or blue berries, whip up real cream as a 'cool whip' type topping. Great fats and great taste. I use cheese, cream cheese, cream and butter mixture to put on top of veggies, also good fats and good taste. I use coconut oil generously, to fry whole eggs, to fry up meat, to bake some zucchini, squash, and bell peppers in and that's a really good fat and doesnt taste like coconut. I also use it in coffee sometimes if i do bulletproof coffee. If i crave a meat and cheese sandwich, i will roll the sliced meat and cheese together with a little mayo or mustard if i want and eat them that way. No need for bread.

I eat nuts, fish, good cuts of beef and pork because they have more fat in them usually than the lean ones.

But I've tried South Beach diet, WW, Low GI and others and none have them have worked for me past the initial water weight loss. LC/HF is the only thing that consistantly works for me, but only if i stick with it. I find that if i cheat and eat bread with toast, or pancakes or some other high carb meal, i crave carbs for days afterwards. If i stick with my fat intake and skip the carbs its a breeze for me.

But those other diets have worked for others. So you need to try out what works for you, both physically and mentally. If you jsut cant give up your carbs, try the low gi diet or south beach which allows you whole grain carbs. See if it works, if you lose weight if you can stick to it. If you cant, LC/HF and see if it works. Make sure you have your percentages right first so you dont have too much protein and too little fat.

You have to find something that works with you, your lifestyle, budget, body, emotions, etc. Only you can determine what works best for you. Give it a good 2-3 weeks per try to see how it affects your body before you decide something doesnt work.

Hang in there! We're here for you and you can always come back and ask questions.

I have tried a lot. For me it is just 'doing' something. I am on a 1500 calorie diet. I have a food addiction, so I just have to stay on plan. Period. Start something and adjust as necessary. Think of it as a life long eating plan. For me it is about my health (diabetes and pcos) Eat to live don't live to eat...that is my motto. Stay accountable. I think you will succeed here. Don't leave, even if you have a bad day. I am not perfect, but I have made the promise to be honest and accountable. It has helped. Good luck!!