Yes Brandi it works.
But as Rochelle said, one can't expect to go back to old eating habits and not get the old results.
This is not like an HGC diet. It can actually reverse things like metabolic syndrome, T2D, help with PCOS and infertility, etc. IF one
continues with a relatively lower carb lifestyle in maintenance.
I think most of the 'bashing' you hear is from people who may have tried the diet for a while, but do not continue to transition properly thru to maintenance and fall back into old eating habits (eating for emotions, or eating unhealthy foods again).
That's not to say that those of us who have successfully lost the weight (and I know some who have lost 100+ lbs personally - not just through these boards) and kept it off for a while haven't slipped up once in a while due to 'life.' But we know how to get right back to our healthy maintenance plan and what works to take a few regained pounds off.
You are welcome here for support and encouragement and a little bit of a kick in the pants if that's what you need once in a while.
This can be done with an IP coach and products, or can be done with alternatives using a similar protocol. If you are new to this I suggest finding a good coach in your area for the first while and reading these boards so you know what to expect and how to make things easier.
Liana