| 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 bases 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 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.
About the Author
Chris Read, An associated editor to Hateweight.com.
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