Healthy Eating and Atkins

Dr. Robert Atkins, the author and founder, says the theory behind weight loss from the Atkins Diet: your body's main source of energy is from carbohydrates. If you significantly decrease your intake of carbohydrates, it forces your body to utilize your stored fat for energy.

The Atkins Diet Advantage program offers pre-packaged low-carbohydrate making meal planning quick and convenient.

Studies were conducted on the Atkins Diet for one year showed measurable fat loss. Studies are ongoing to determine how the Atkins Diet affects weight over the long term.

Details of the Atkins Diet program are written in an easy to follow format in the Diet Revolution and the New Diet Revolution, by Dr. Atkins

Atkins Diet - Four Phases
The weight loss program is set up into four phases.

• Induction
• On-going Weight Loss
• Pre-Maintenance
• Lifetime Maintenance

Atkins Diet - Induction

For the induction phase (approximately 2 weeks) carbohydrates are restricted to 20 grams per day. Only leafy, green carbohydrates are allowed. Cheeses, meats, oils and creams are the bulk of this phase. Alcohol and caffeine are not allowed during induction. The ketosis state starts and causes calories to be burnt at a higher rate, usually producing the largest amount of weight loss throughout the diet.

Atkins Diet - On-going Weight Loss

Cheeses, meats, oils and creams are still the main focus of Atkins, but carbohydrates are increased weekly by approximately 5 grams. If there is an increase in weight or weight loss stops, it is advised to decrease your intake of carbohydrates. This phase is continues until you're within 10 pounds of your desired weight.

Atkins Diet -Pre-Maintenance

Following the Atkins Glycemic Ranking, carbohydrate intake is again increased. The goal is to find level of carbohydrates that can be eaten while maintain the desired body weight.

Atkins Diet - Lifetime Maintenance

Lifetime Maintenance is maintaining the desired body weight while trying different amounts of carbohydrates. Varying the types of carbohydrates to determine how much of each food can be consumed without affecting body weight.

Atkins Diet – Exercise

Walking is one recommended exercise to maintain fitness levels while on the Atkins Diet. Walking is aerobic and will encourage the body to utilize fat for fuel.

I have been on the Atkins Diet and lost 34 lbs. I kept it off until I stopped the diet plan and went back to my bad eating habits. The diet lets you intake proteins and fats and limiting carbohydrates to encourage the human body to enter a natural state of ketosis. Your body then begins breaking down fat cells to use as a source of fuel. Protein and fats will leave the body feeling fuller and delay hunger between meals.
The Atkins Diet theory is based on sustaining your body in a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the liver excessively converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies which in turn are used by the body for energy.