I keep remembering posts about high protein, low fat, cycling, fasting, etc. I've calorie counted for several years, too, but tweaked extensively to the point that the plans are quite different now than they were when I began. I could be misremembering, but since Halloween I recall at least three significant tweaks being asked about. And dropping calories that low is also a huge tweak and unsustainable for a lot of folks (especially while working out). If you're going to switch methods, research them vigorously and follow the plans to the letter for at least three months (that's really the bare minimum to see any significant results). None of this 'today I'll do _____, never mind this sucks!' for a day or two.
Atkins involves nuts, fruit, and even grains. This stupid misconception that induction is all there is to the plan drives me crazy, when many folks can transition back in variety and add back up carbs methodically after just two weeks. It takes planning and care, but is totally doable and THE bulk of the plan is finding out what foods your body can handle and how much. It ISN'T austerity and induction for six months on end, and in fact is highly ill advised unless you have hundreds of pounds to lose. Ongoing weight loss (OWL) is by far the bulk of time spent in losing, not induction, and it involves ever increasing quantities of carbs and variety of them until you find a happy spot for your body and tastes. I don't see what isn't doable about that for so many people - the boards I'm on where the plan is followed religiously have high success rates and maintenance rates, it's generally the folks who refuse to carefully read and reread Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) or begin altering the program in weird ways like eating nothing but sausage and pork rinds or doing induction and never transitioning off it, who tend to fall off the wagon hard, binge like there's no tomorrow, and then decry the plan when in fact they never did follow it!
I know that might not be you, but in terms of basic troubleshooting for advice figuring out if someone has actually a) read the book right before doing the plan or refreshed themselves if it has been a few months and b) is actually following the advised food lists, quantities, AND time frames - that tends to pinpoint most problems immediately.
Atkins may not be for you, though I find it the most iminently livable plan of ANY I have been on, including calorie counting, Paleo, and Weight Watchers. But all of those plans require time, rigorous adherence, and a commitment to not cheating under any circumstances to really see the best results. Whatever the specific plan, it must be followed and for a fair duration. So my advice to you, if Atkins isn't it, is to pick something and resist the urges to:
- jump into it without significant study
- modify any detail of it that isn't crucial to your health (like an allergy)
- quit before giving it a season (3-4 months)
They're all quite sustainable with study, prep, and dedication. But none of them will do diddly squat for you if you don't actually DO them. That is my best, most caring advice, as someone who has lost weight and kept it off. Commitment and will are key, not a perfect food combo or calorie level. Diets DO work in varying degrees depending on the plan and specific body - but NONE of them work if they aren't actually adhered to. I agree that 1400 calories a day sucks, I wouldn't be able to live on that, be active, and not feel intense hunger. So find something doable for you and stick it out, even if it initially sucks.
Any of the ketogenic plans are intense and often highly uncomfortable for the first week or two, you won't reap any of the metabolic/hunger/craving benefits if you don't push through that detox period. So they may not fit your body if you can't discipline yourself to do that and that's okay! But this is where intense study of the subject and plan specifics should help you - before ever starting the plan you should have a solid idea of what to expect at each point in the game, including long term maintenance strategies, and then be able to critically evaluate whether or not they fit you. Knowledge is power and action without knowledge is just a sure fire way to spin your wheels and frustrate yourself.
I hope some of this helps