you don't need to avoid carbs, but choose starchy carbs over sugary carbs so that you feel full longer. to lose a pound a week you need 500kcal less per day than you need. this depends on a lot of things but that works out on average as about 1500kcal per day for women, 1800-2000 for men. i always find it easier to lose weight if i do more exercise. i wouldnt encourage the atkins diet as this has a risk of being high in total and saturated fat, not good for your heart -plus fat has more than twice as many calories per gram as carbs or protein. also remember alcohol contains a lot of energy, i also find it easier to lose/maintain weight if i cut it down a bit.