The only reason I came on this board is because my 12 yr old niece asked me to check out some of the diets she read on this board. I was apalled at your suggestion to eat only 500 calories a day. I am sorry if I scared you or someone else but I care about people like you. I was in the same situation when I was a teenager and now I counsel teens who are overweight. That is why I came to this board in the first place. I was asked to check it out and she has decided to follow a safe plan, not the 500 calorie a day "diet" you followed. I am glad it turned out well for you, but just remember that when you put an idea on a board like this, even if you warn people not to do it, they will still try because they are desparate for it to work for them as well. And by the way, if people like me never checked a board like this, too many young teens will put their lives in danger following absurd eating plans. J_Lynn, I wish you all the luck on the world and I don't mean to be scary, just helpful because I am concerned.