You've decided that you're going to try the low carb diet, after hearing success stories from family and friends. Here's what you need to know before you get started on it.

Get Rid of Junk Food
If your house is full of candy bars, potato chips and gallons of ice cream, it will be hard for you to eat healthily - no matter what method of losing weight you choose. You cannot healthily sustain a good body weight if you are constantly shovelling junk into your mouth. So it's time to do a cleaning.

Get several empty boxes together. Gather up the junk food and donate it to the Salvation Army. Give the rest away to friends. And then follow:

Stocking a Low Carb Pantry

Let Friends and Family Know
It doesn't matter if you are trying out for a new job, wooing a new love in your life or trying to quit smoking. If you are working towards a goal, the support of your friends and family can be very helpful. They might not quite understand how a low carb diet works - but they know you are trying to make a positive difference about your life. Tell them that you will be trying to avoid junk food, eating lots of fruits and veggies.

They don't have to eat your diet - but they should respect your wishes and not try to PUSH junk food on you. They can have their giant slice of chocolate cake ... but if they care for you, they could try to do it after you've left the table, or at least not harass you if you politely decline a slice!

Give Yourself some Time
Any change you make in your life - whether it's moving to a new apartment or taking a new job or trying a new style of eating - is going to involve some stress and second-guessing. Give yourself a two week period of taking care of yourself to get this going. Don't add other stresses to the diet worries. So before you begin, get a few favorite books to read, rent some DVDs you'll really enjoy. Get some bubble bath supplies, or get a new computer game to play. Put off dinners out and other potentially stressful situations. You want to give this diet a fair chance to get going, as easily as possible.

The Basics of Low Carb Diets
The First Two Weeks
First 2 Weeks Low Carb Food List

Low Carb First Two Weeks by Lisa Shea If you're getting started in low carb, or know someone who is, this is the book you need. Step by step instructions, background information, plus great recipes! More Details ...

Lisa Shea's Library of Low Carb Books