The Atkins Diet Plan: An Effective Way To Lose Weight Fast
The Atkins Diet is said to be the one of the most effective diets. Just ask those who have successfully shed off unwanted pounds by following the Atkins diet plan.
The main element you need to pay attention to while on Atkins diet is the amount of carbohydrates in each meal. The secret to the Atkins diet’s success lies mainly with cutting your carbohydrates intake to lose weight. The good news here is that this diet will not only help you lose weight, it will also enhance your heart health and memory because of the type of food you are allowed to eat. Some people follow this kind of diet not only for weight maintenance but also for disease prevention and good health.
Founded by Dr. Robert Atkins in 1972, the Atkins Diet is based on the concept that too much carbohydrates make people fat and thus can lead to obesity. It is believed that Dr. Robert Atkins formulated this diet to treat his own weight problems. He later shared his diet with the public through his book titled, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.
Atkins diet is based on eating less carbohydrate and burning more fats. Besides proteins, our bodies burn both carbohydrates and fats to be used as fuel for energy. However, carbohydrates are used up first before proteins and fats. The Atkins diet suggests that in order for the body to burn more fats, we should eat less carbohydrates and eat more protein and fat-rich foods.
Reducing carbohydrates intake helps our bodyenter into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is the process wherein the body burn fats for fuel. Whenever the body is experiencing ketosis, it tends to feel less hungry. The cravings die down and you get easily satisfied with little portions of food. This makes the body a fat-burning mechanism rather than a carbohydrate-burning machine. This also means that fats are no longer stored in your body because they are being burned for fuel.
The Atkins Diet has four phases: the Induction Phase (Phase 1), the Ongoing Weight Loss Phase (Phase 2), The Pre-Maintenance Phase (Phase 3), and the Lifetime Maintenance Phase (Phase 4).
- The Induction Phase allows you to consume 20 grams of carbohydrates. Do not go beyond that or the diet will not work. This is a critical diet stage, as this will ignite the rapid weight loss in your body. For two weeks, you will be eating fat-rich and protein-filled foods such as fish, eggs, red meat, butter, mayonnaise, and other vegetables. You also need to avoid coffee or other caffeine-rich beverages.
- The Ongoing Weight Loss Phase allows you to take 25 grams of carbohydrates. You also get to eat more portions of vegetables. This time, you are trying to balance out the ratio of protein and fat-rich foods with carbohydrates.
- The Pre-Maintenance Phase works by adding 5-10 more grams in your carbohydrate intake. However, if you stopped losing weight and your carb cravings come back, reduce 10 grams from your existing carbohydrate intake.
- In the last phase, the Lifetime Maintenance Phase, you will be encouraged to maintain the weight you have achieved today until the rest of your life. This will not be as difficult as you think, since your body already adjusted to the diet.
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