How Does the Atkins Diet Work
February 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Atkins Diet
There is a massive controversy regarding whether the effects of the Atkins diet are good or bad. Some individuals experience positive effects while others experience negative effects, and in some cases individuals can experience both positive and negative effects. Positive effects of the Atkins diet include weight loss and being able to eat smaller amounts without feeling hungry. However, dieters may also experience negative effects like muscular issues, dizziness or weakness.
The explanation for both of these experiences is the same, the way the Atkins diet works. So how does the Atkins diet work?
The main purpose of the Atkins diet is to dramatically reduce carbohydrates (i.e. sugar in its simplest form), thus forcing the body to use an alternate energy source. The next energy source your body turns to is your fat cells. Of course, when you burn fat cells you lose weight. Unfortunately, without exercise, you could also lose lean muscle, which not only makes you feel weaker but literally makes you weaker physically.
Some individuals consider that losing weight is more important than their overall health. This attitude is very dangerous and could mean that they will harm themselves without realizing it. Dr. Robert Atkins created the diet for himself to lose weight and the success caused him to release it for others to use. It was surprisingly successful in most cases. Controversy continues to surround the method and much scientific research has been conducted to determine long term effects of the Atkins diet. However some individuals feel that the negative effects outweighed any positive effect.
There are many advances in weight loss science and analysis every year, and in time these concerns could be revealed as needless or able to be overcome by small variations in the diet. Currently, there are still many positive aspects of the Atkins diet such as the recipes that are offered. With the Atkins diet you eat no processed carbohydrates (flour, cereal, bread, pasta), rice or potato for one or two weeks then you gradually increase your carbohydrate intake until you are eating a very balanced diet. So any side effects will be reversed and you get to keep the figure that you just worked so hard to acquire.
The recipes offered are extremely appealing to most individuals, and after being carbohydrate free returning to a healthy balanced diet will be very enjoyable. You will slowly increase carbohydrates into your meals by an extra 1/6oz or 5 grams per day each week… i.e. if you are on the first stage for two weeks you will allow yourself an extra 1/6oz or 5g of carbs per day in week three which will increase to 1/3oz or 10g in week four etc. This is designed to reverse negative effects while ensuring that you can then maintain your weight without damaging your muscles. Many folks have found amazing success from this diet for themselves and others they have recommended it to.
