The

Atkins Diet

Losing

Weight with

Atkins

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The Atkins diet hit the diet scene in 1972 when Dr. Atkins

published his book, "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution". And the Atkins diet was really revolutionary. Most diets of the day

focused on counting calories and maintaining a low fat

diet. Calories were felt to be the enemy and the fewer you

ate, the better off you were. Dr. Atkins paid less attention to

calories in his diet and more to reducing the number of carbohydrates in the diet. To followers of his diet, the

carbohydrates were the problem. The diet promoted the

use of lots of protein and a moderate amount of fat with the

idea that your metabolism will cause you to lose weight on

this diet.

The Atkins diet was not taken very well by many nutritionists who were promoting diets low in fat and protein. This was

about the time that the four food groups turned into the

food pyramid. Fruits, vegetables and grains were near the

bottom and should be consumed the most. Unfortunately for the Atkins diet, these were things that were to be

avoided on the diet. Near the top of the food pyramid are

fats and meat proteins. We weren't supposed to eat many

of these types of foods on a healthy diet and yet they were

prominent in the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet included menu plans high in bacon, fried

meat and even fried pork rinds. While there were some

salad greens on the diet plan, you were allowed to add

fatty dressing to the diet plan. The Atkins diet plan really

promoted eggs, cheese, meats at every meal and, in some

cases, protein bars or protein drinks. This was a time when cholesterol and triglycerides were being better understood

and their role in heart disease was made clearer. Experts felt

that the Atkins diet plan was too high in cholesterol and

other fats, making one's risk for heart disease greater. Dr.

Atkins continued to promote his diet plan, amid a great deal of controversy.

The Atkins diet also included some Atkins products, like

Atkins hot cereal, Atkins protein shakes and Atkins protein

bars. Instead of having regular hot cereal, you would

choose the Atkins variety of hot cereal. The company made

money off of these specialized products and still does, but to a lesser degree. As long as carbohydrates were counted

and Atkins products used, the diet was expected to help

you lose weight.

Losing weight with Atkins is easy but how does it work? Well,

when you eat food your body digests and utilizes the

nutrients, fats, protein and so on. Your body's primary source

of energy for everyday tasks is glucose (sugar). Sugars are

hidden in food as carbohydrates and when eaten sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream. When this happens the

pancreas secretes insulin. It is insulin that regulates blood

sugar levels so they are not too high or low. If your body

doesn't use up all the carbohydrates it takes in, any excess

can be stored as fat for the future.

What the Atkins Diet does is to use a process called ketosis.

This is what happens when your body begins to burn fat. As

fat cells are burnt ketones are released. Ketones can be

detected in urine and urine testing stick can be used to

ensure ketosis occurring. By reducing your daily carbohydrate intake your body will quickly use up what few

energy stores it has then look for an alternative source of

energy - stored body fat.

The Four Phases Of Atkins

Phase 1 - Induction

The induction phase lasts for two weeks. During this two

week period you limit your daily carbohydrate intake to just 20g. This kick starts ketosis and starts the switch to fat

burning. Each phase has a specific food list of

recommended foods, of which induction is the strictest.

Phase 2 - Ongoing Weight Loss

After the first two weeks you continue to lose weight and will

remain in ketosis. You now increase your daily carb intake

by 5g each week. The aim of ongoing weight loss (OWL) is

to get closer to your target weight. OWL can last as long as

it takes and until you are happy with where you are weight- wise. The food list expands and you have more options.

Phase 3 - Pre-Maintenance

Pre-Maintenance is the phase you progress to when you are about 10 pounds short of your goal. Up until now your daily

carb intake has been gradually increased and eventually

you will get to know how many carbs you can have daily

before you start putting on weight again.

Phase 4 - Maintenance

You have reached your goal, you know your carb limit for

weight loss and gain. You can now carry on with life enjoying the great foods available and continue losing

weight with Atkins

Is it bad for you?

The Atkins Diet has suffered a lot of bad press in the past,

mainly claiming that Atkins is bad for you. There are many

myths to dispel. To be honest, whilst it is a fairly drastic

change in diet which changes your metabolism, it isn't

actually that bad. Many people who criticize the diet don't really understand how it works.

'You can only eat meat and cheese and that you eat fry- ups all the time.'' OK, you can have a fried breakfast every

day if you want to and you can eat meat and cheese as much as you like. However, many of the foods that are

acceptable whilst losing weight with Atkins are healthy. For

example, chicken salad with avocado, tuna fish, omelette,

strawberries, raspberries, nuts. They are all foods that healthy

diets include so how come they are suddenly bad for you?

'Eating a lot of fatty food is bad for you.' Ordinarily it can be

but the Atkins Diet uses fat differently. It helps you burn more of it, remember? So the increased fat intake actually helps the diet work.

'When you start eating normal carbohydrates again, the weight will return.' Correct but the Atkins Diet teaches you to recognize good and bad carbs. It teaches you how to reduce your carb intake in order to lose weight. It is a life- time plan so of course, if you want to start eating cake again every day or bread and potatoes to excess that's up

to you but your weight will creep up again. The idea of

Atkins is that it is a low-carb diet that doesn't include normal carbohydrate intake.

There are many success stories out there and many people

who have lost weight using This Diet and they have kept it

off for years. I am currently on the Atkins Diet and find it

successful, even though I don't follow it all the time. I usually

turn to Atkins when the weight has crept back on under my

radar and I suddenly feel the need to lose a few pounds.☻