Hello there Petal,
I've been coached on the French site (rather unsuccessfully I should add, but that was my fault not theirs). As I've been fiddling with this diet for almost three years now, yes I've seen people lose staggering amounts of weight with the diet.
The first phase you do but once, at the outset.
Phase two, Cruise is where most people are at as you stay there until you reach your TARGET... and that's where often people slip up.
Reaching one's target weight is certainly a memorable moment but, when you read the book, I think the doctor sums it all up rather well. That weight isn't "ours" yet... it's temporary... we have to then "consolidate". Many people (myself included, several times) find we lose the plot when we then are faced with "real food" and "freedom" again.
Hence, for "eaters", I'd strongly suggest looking into the whys and wherefores during Cruise, because by the time we get to target, if we've learned nothing (same goes for Atkins, LL, CD, Exante, and any other fast weight loss programme), it will go back on.
So, for me, the most CRUCIAL phase is Conso. Anja here is our first target member to reach Conso (well there was another, but she had problems too) and she's keeping us a diary keeping us abreast of her progress. So far so good...
But, with a large weight loss such you mention that you require, given that we need AT LEAST 10 days per kilo lost (5 days per lb lost) for reintroduction of carbs and fats, it's a long process... and many fall at one of the hurdles, if not the first.
Any other questions, feel free. I think the book is a good read, and very cheap too, and it explains the theory part better than we can. We can help with menus. We are encouraged to eat a certain quantity of oatbran each day (made into galettes, muffins, cakes, whatever) and this really helps too. I don't think Atkins allows it as it's too high in carbs. It helps with cholesterol issues too and fills you up!
But, if you don't like meat, fish, prawns, and you're not willing to do some cooking - cos most shop bought stuff is "tampered with" - it mightn't be for you...