I haven't been on the Atkins strictly but I've been on a low carb diet before.  I have health limitations that don't let me exercise much but without little to no exercise I lost 60 pounds in a year just from keeping my carbs to 30 to 45 a day.  I allowed myself once a week or every two weeks to have a hot plate of whatever at a restaurant.  If I went to a restaurant more often I would opt for a salad or a meal that didn't have too many carbs.  Like Mexican food I would allow myself two corn tortillas (note: I'd allow myself one whole grainbread and two low carb tortillas, or two whole grain breads and one low carb tortilla except if I was going to have regular corn tortilla I'd minus one or two things) and wouldn't eat the rice.  Or vise versa.  This could be two tacos, or enchiladas, etc.  Or get a chile relleno which is a protein choice.  For American faire I would actually take with me low carb bread, or whole grain bread ( and skip having any other bread all day) and I'd order a hamburger and swap the bun with my whole grain bread I'd bring.  All the flavor is still there. I'd have a few fries only if any.  If I craved Del Taco and wanted a burrito or taco, I would swap the flour tortilla with my low carb tortilla.  These tortillas really saved me on my diet.  I usu. did this at home but actually sometimes on the road.  It might seem long to have lost 60 pounds but it was great not gaining weight as I did every year.  I had to put the breaks on.  I lost 60 pounds and went from size 22 to 14.  If you have a really big craving just have a taste of what you're not suppose to.  This helped me a lot too.  Also I always allowed myself two fruits a day and all the veggies I wanted.  I did use Atkins Advantage shakes to help keep me full; Not as a meal replacement but as a snack or sometimes on the go in the morning when there was no time for breakfast.  Make time for at least a poached egg if you can.  I always had my fill somehow.  I ate a lot of canned green beens.  I'm lucky though that I like vegetables. I always have water handy in my mini fridge in my room.  Anytime I'm thirsty water is in arms reach.  This is important.