The Atkins Diet

Introduction

The history of The Atkins Diet goes back to the Dr. Atkins' theory that over-consumption of and hypersensitivity to carbohydrates is the root of our problem with being overweight. The principle he based his plan on says that it is the way your body processes the carbohydrates you eat -- not how much fat you eat -- that causes you to gain weight. While most diet experts say that not everyone who has a weight problem is insulin resistant, Atkins says it is more likely than not.

It's working

By reducing one's intake of carbohydrates to less than 50 grams a day, one will enter a metabolic process called ketosis, which is nothing but a state in which one's body will start burning the fat to provide energy. Atkins also says that ketosis will affect insulin production which will prevent more fat from being formed.

The Phases

The Atkins Diet comprises of the 4 stages: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and maintenance.

Induction is executed in the first fortnight of the plan, during which according to Atkins you can lose up to 15 pounds. This rapid weight loss is due to ceasing the intake of carbs to just 20 grams a day. You are limited to three cups per day. Forget about fruit and starchy vegetables like potatoes. If you consume alcoholic beverages or coffee, you better bid "sayonara" to those as well.

During ongoing weight loss, you can increase your carb intake by 5 grams. You will eventually reach a high and the again have to curb off the carb again.

In pre-maintenance, weight loss will happen gradually and you will be able to test certain foods to see if they could be added in your diet without resulting in weight gain.

Then the maintenance stage is there, when you may introduce some more carbs into your diet? of course not by adding the bad ones, as they will be resulting in the bringing back the weight again.

Facts

The Atkins Diet recommends exercise. Any diet that doesn't include exercise in its recommendations will probably not be as effective and does not encourage health lifestyle change.

Person suffering from gout, kidney conditions, type I diabetes or pregnant women should not follow Atkins. According to some health experts, ketosis results in too-rapid, and unusual levels of weight loss and that the loss consists of lean body mass and water. Regardless of whichever diet you persist on, be it be Atkins or Weight Watchers, diet experts agree that it is calorie reduction that results in weight loss. After you lose weight, you can't just revert back to your original ways of eating crabs.

Theme

Remember, one should never start a diet without prior consultation to the doctor. This is pretty much essential with a diet like Atkins because it is so inflexible and is most likely a noteworthy change from your normal eating habits. Additionally, some researches have indicated that this type of diet may endanger the kidneys, result in sunstroke, or lead to other health problems.

Before giving ATKINs a try, ask yourself: Are you committed to limiting your carbs for good? If not, then this plan probably isn't for you, because even as Atkins himself states, returning to your previous eating habits will bring the weight back.

If you find that Atkins is not for you, you may be averse to the type of foods you are eating. That's fine -- some people simply can't tolerate eating a certain type of foods, and others feel deprived if their favorites are eliminated. If you don't feel happy and satisfied with a particular plan, it's time to find an alternative.

Chris Read, editor of Hateweight.com, is a contributing author to the Hateweight.com for distinct article sites/journals. For any weight loss related issue please feel free to visit the website hateweight.com for more information. Or write to him at editor@hateweight.com

---

Weight Loss in Children

What is "too young" to begin a weight loss program... Read More

Sweet Low Carb Foods - How Do They Do That?

If you're a low carb diet enthusiast, you've probably tried... Read More

Why Do Athletes Use Ephedra?

You are probably familiar with the weight loss connection with... Read More

Eating Habits That Can Help You Lose Weight And Stay That Way

There are certain eating habits that can make you gain... Read More

Fourteen Reasons Why Dieting Is Bad For Your Health

1. The lower the calories eaten per day, the harder... Read More

5 Natural Weight Loss Tips For A More Beautiful You

Living a powerful, healthy, fit and trim life is a... Read More

Signature Lines on Weight Loss Websites

A reader recently wrote to ask why I don't include... Read More

Some Straight Talk About Low-Carbohydrates and Your Health

There have been many diets and weight loss plans that... Read More

New Hope for Attaining--and Maintaining--A Healthy Body Weight

The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is... Read More

Weight Loss Program: Do Your Expectations Sabotage Your Success?

When women talk about their biggest obstacles to successful weight... Read More

Staying Toned After Weight Loss

Staying Toned After Weight Loss Following significant weight loss,... Read More

Today?s Diets ? What?s Hot!

For the person who wants to shed a few pounds... Read More

The Fastest Way To Your After Photo

You've seen them a hundred times: "Before" and "After" pictures.... Read More

How To Cop An Attitude With An Overzealous Hostess

We all encounter those hosts and hostesses who feel it... Read More

Weight Loss Information -- Setting Effective Goals

Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more... Read More

Are You a Binge Eater?

Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge... Read More

Online Weight Loss - Fact or Farce?

Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More

Warning: Dramatically Improve Your Health In Just 27 Days!!!

You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes... Read More

Go for Scientific Weight Loss

Considering the US Center for Disease Control's advice is a... Read More

Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution

Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen©2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More

7 Strategies To Stop Eating Junk Food!

FACT: Obesity accounts for 300,000 deaths a year in the... Read More

Pushing Gastric Bypass: When to Talk, When to Keep Quiet

Sharing our bariatric stories is as personal decision as electing... Read More

Six Super Easy Weight Loss Tips

If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then... Read More

You Can Lose Weight on a High Carbohydrate Diet

A startling fact is that carbohydrates are not responsible for... Read More

3 Fast Weight Loss Tips That Work

Looking to lose some pounds quickly? Fast and safe weight... Read More

Give up the Diet

If you're thinking of going on a diet to lose... Read More

Tips to Help Control Food Cravings

Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More

Dieters : Put MORE Focus on Food

If you're always on a diet you probably spend half... Read More

Hunger Free Eating - How To Eat Less And Not Feel Hungry

There are many diets, all of which boil down to... Read More

Simple Summer Fat Attack!

Summer is about to be in full swing, and it's... Read More

Yes, You Can Lose Weight!

Weight loss is one of the biggest industries in the... Read More

Obesity Prevention Must Begin at Home

Not losing weight but gaining it is why we are... Read More

Be Aware Of Your Reasons

You have decided that you want to lose weight and... Read More