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Atkins Diet
Over the past few decades, the Atkins diet has really
hit the diet world with full force. This health phenomenon
is based on The Atkins Diet, a book by Dr. Robert C. Atkins.
His concept for weight loss is that we need to be concerned
with the carbohydrates we eat, not the fat. Many people
have found great success using the Atkins diet.
However, it is not for everyone. Before you start the
Atkins diet, or any kind of diet, talk to your doctor
to make sure it is a good idea for you.
When you’re on the Atkins diet, there will be little
calorie counting, but say good-bye to junk foods and processed
foods. You will also be eating few carbohydrates and many
foods high in protein.
The theory behind the low-carb diet found with the Atkins
diet is that by reducing your intake of these foods, you
will enter a phase in your body called ketosis. During
ketosis, your body will burn fat in the body for fuel
instead of using the foods in your diet, which will in
turn stop insulin production, which will in turn prevent
more fat from being stored.
There are four main stages to the Atkins diet: induction,
ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance, and maintenance.
During the first two weeks, you are in the induction stage.
During this time, many people report losing 15 pounds
or more, simply because carbohydrate intake is cut down
to 20 grams every day.
The only carbs you can have are low-carb vegetables,
and even then they are very limited. The second stage,
known as ongoing weight loss, will let you have 25 grams
every day. You will then move on to pre-maintenance, in
which you can try out other foods to see what carbohydrates
you can add into your diet.
After you’ve reached your weight loss goals, you may
eat all good carbs, but the premise behind the diet plan
is that you won’t want to eat these foods. Choosing healthy
carbs will become a way of life.
As with any diet, you’ll have to exercise in order to
lose weight. Healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting
smoking, are also important.
Many people have called into question the safety of the
Atkins diet due to its severe methods, and some say that
the plan only makes you bounce back to your original weight
as so as you hit the maintenance level. The key is to
find something that works for you and your weight loss
goals and that is healthy for your body.
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