Hi, I'm 55 years old, 5'3.5" have the most supportive husband in the world and have struggled with my weight for years. The only diet that has ever worked for me is Atkins. There is a point in my progress however that I hit bottom and go off the diet. I think it is when my metabolism speeds up and I don't increase my calories. If I can hang in there through that time, I'm golden. This time, I want to recognize that I'm there and change my diet to accomodate. Finally, if I can get my body fat low enough and my weight just a bit below my goal, I will be able to maintain my weight without such intense attention. The reason is that muscle requires 50 times more calories than fat to sustain--something besides me is working toward keeping me at my appropriate weight. Wish me luck!