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How the Atkins Diet Works – And How It’ll Work for You!
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So you’re looking for a diet plan that really works? Of course, they all say they “really work”. So what makes the Atkins Diet different? Well, how about longevity? The Atkins Diet was created way back in 1972, after years of research by Robert C. Atkins. Dr. Atkins majored in medicine throughout college and university and ran his own successful private practice until his death in April, 2003. (And he was healthy when he died – he died from a fall and a subsequent hit on the head.)
Dr. Atkins was a proponent of safe and effective alternative medicine, even though he was a medical doctor. His desire was to create not just a healthy diet plan, but a long-term healthy lifestyle. “Lifestyle” is described in the Collins Concise Dictionary as, “a set of attitudes, habits, or possessions associated with a particular person or group.” Well, Dr. Atkins introduced his set of attitudes to the world by way of his book, “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution”. The Atkins Nutritional Approach™ contained in this book was a plan for a healthy lifestyle, a lifetime nutritional philosophy. It was a more than just a plan – it was a plan that worked!
What can the Atkins Nutritional Approach™ do for you?
The lifestyle that Dr. Atkins wants for you is one of balance. That’s why the Atkins Nutritional Approach is designed to rebalance your nutrition so that you have a greater energy level, you look better and, as a final result, you gain a sense of well-being. This is not a fad diet. This is a long-term plan that lays the groundwork for a lifetime of good health for you.
Let’s take a closer look at the plan itself. There are four easy-to-follow phases. We’ll examine them one at a time:
- Phase 1: Induction. This phase restricts carbohydrate consumption to 20 grams per day, obtained primarily from salad and other non-starchy vegetables. A sample breakfast could be an avocado-tomato omelet and decaf coffee with cream. For lunch, you could have a salad with grilled chicken breast. Dinner might be broiled salmon and spinach sautéed with garlic. Sounds pretty good, don’t you think?
- Phase 2: Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL). In the second phase, you add carbohydrates, like nutrient-dense and fiber-rich foods, increasing 20-25 grams per day for the first week, 30 grams per day for the second week, and continuing until http://www.atkins-diet-plan-n-recipes.com/" target="_blank">weight loss stops. Then you subtract 5 grams of carbohydrates per day and remain at that level, thus sustaining moderate weight loss.
- Phase 3: Pre-Maintenance. In this phase you shift from weight loss to weight maintenance by increasing your daily carbohydrate intake in 10-gram increments per week, as long as very gradual weight loss is maintained.
- Phase 4: Lifetime Maintenance. Now you can choose from a wide variety of foods while controlling your carbohydrate intake to ensure weight maintenance and a sense of well-being. This is the lifestyle the Atkins Diet wants for you. This is the foundation for a lifetime of better health.
So how do I actually lose weight – what happens to my body?
Now that you’ve seen the basics of the Atkins Diet program, let’s explore the details of how this plan actually works. Because study after study, successful story after successful story, has proven that it does work. And here’s how.
Your body needs energy. Carbohydrates (carbs) and fat provide the fuel that produces that energy. Your body metabolizes (turns into energy) carbs first. Any excess carbs are stored as body fat. When you reduce carbs to a certain level, your body primarily burns fat, including body fat, and you can either lose weight – or maintain your goal weight.
Not all carbs have the metabolic effect on our bodies. Atkins has developed what they call the “Net Atkins Count™”, which indicates the carbs that significantly impact blood sugar levels. And these are the only carbs you need to count when you do the Atkins Diet. Once you reach your goal weight, you’ll find your individual ACE (Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium), which is the approximate daily Net Atkins Count™ you can continue to eat without gaining or losing weight. And you won’t be constantly hungry!
The Atkins Diet has worldwide proven success
The Atkins Diet focuses on nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods and vitanutrient supplementation. What this means to you is you won’t have to eat any more processed or refined carbohydrates like high-sugar foods, breads, pastas, cereal and starchy vegetables. And you’re not alone in this plan. This nutritional philosophy has been embraced by an estimated 20 million people around the world and is the cornerstone of the principles followed for patients’ treatment at The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine in New York City.
Many studies have been conducted over the years on the Atkins Diet. Many unbelievers have tried to prove that the Atkins Diet isn’t safe for your health. However, the most recent studies are becoming more and more supportive in their findings. Cholesterol and triglyceride profiles (the “good” and “bad” cholesterol) were a main concern – but research showed very positive results in these levels. On the whole, the Atkins Diet was proven to be more effective for weight loss than “low-fat” approaches.
So what more do you want? A wonderful diet plan, with proven positive results worldwide – and it’s waiting for you now. Develop that “perfect weight” for you – and live a long and healthy lifestyle!
About The Author
Gareth Marples is a successful freelance writer providing valuable tips and advice for consumers purchasing http://www.atkins-diet-plan-n-recipes.com/" target="_blank">The Atkin's Diet plan, http://www.water-purification-filters.com/reverse-osmosis-systems.html" target="_blank">water treatment systems and http://www.elliptical-trainers-n-machines.com/" target="_blank">elliptical machines. His numerous articles offer moneysaving tips and valuable insight on typically confusing topics.
This "How the Atkins Diet Works" article reprinted with permission.
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