I was interested to read your article on the Atkins Diet (The Argus, August 5) but disappointed you didn't provide more information on this fast weight loss programme.

When the body is starved of carbohydrates (such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta) it looks for energy in the glycogen stores in the body.

Because 4g of water clings to every gram of glycogen, you lose water and weight very quickly in the first instance.

Once the water has gone, it would seem that the diet has stopped working as the fast weight loss would not continue at this rate, when in fact they have lost weight through water loss.

A lot of people then give up this diet and are likely to accumulate more fat when the diet stops. This gives you yet another yo-yo effect.

This diet is also likely to cause mood swings and cravings.

In the face of a £6 billion diet industry in the UK alone, do you really think these companies want - or expect - their products to work and put them out of business?

Any diet which recommends cutting out a food group, or eating only a food group or product should be seen as "faddy".

If you are unable to come to terms with your own body shape or size, try this simple technique: Your daily food intake should contain more of what children refuse to eat for dinner and less of what they cry out for.

Follow this simple rule and you will be on track for a big life change and losing weight steadily - and permanently.

You may be wondering, am I a sylph-like supermodel? No, I'm a big and beautiful size 18 as I have been for a long time.

Yo-yo dieting makes it very hard for you to have a useful wardrobe of clothes. Make your decision. Be happy.

-Paula Woolven, Telscombe Cliffs