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The Atkins Diet

For those who are struggling with weight problems, you well know the frustration of failed diet and exercise attempts.  As many fad diets have come and gone, maybe you have tried some.  Perhaps you have even seen a little success, but then reverted to old habits.  While the best way to lose weight is a commitment to exercise and fewer calories, a diet plan that has been in place for many years and has seen mixed results is the Atkins Diet.  If you are considering this as a weight loss plan, there are some things you might want to know.

History of the Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet is named after Dr. Robert Atkins, who first published this diet in 1962.  Even though his diet theory was controversial, Dr. Atkins did not come to the diet arena without some medical background.  Dr. Atkins had been seeing patients in his own private practice since 1960 in New York City.  During the course of treatments, he formulated the Atkin’s theory that carbohydrates should be controlled in order to lose weight.  In 1992 and 1999, over 10 million copies of his book “Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution” have become New York Times' best sellers. 

Philosophy Behind the Diet

The philosophy behind the Atkins diet is that obesity is caused by consuming too many refined carbohydrates, including sugar, flour, and high fructose corn syrup.  He also contended that saturated fat is an over-rated problem towards vascular disease.  His stance is that it is actually hydrogenated oils that contributed to this problem.  With the Atkins diet, you are encouraged to eat foods high in protein and fat.  No calorie counts are taken, but foods that are restricted are refined sugars, dairy, white rice, potatoes and pastas. 

Stages

As you go through the different stages of the Atkins diet (Induction Phase, Ongoing Weight Loss, Pre-Maintenance and Lifetime Maintenance) you gradually add more carbohydrates until you find the maintenance level that works for you.  The four stages are designed to work together and allow you to go back to a previous stage if you start to gain weight. 

Drawbacks

Some people take the lack of restrictions on fats and proteins as an open license to gorge.  Dr. Atkins revised this in his last book, stressing that overeating was not an effective plan.   Some of the controversy over this diet is raised by the American Heart Association as well as the American Cancer society as being bad for your health with the high levels of fat consumed.

Effectiveness

While many have experienced success with this diet, it won’t work for everyone.  The success rate of the Atkins diet is about the same as the other diets out there right now.  Some people will enjoy eating the eggs, meat, and cheese that come with this diet, while others may not.  The most important thing in finding a diet that will work for you is finding something that fits your natural likes and habits. 

 You will of course have to make adjustments in your lifestyle, but a full transformation may be difficult.  It isn’t easy to make those first changes, but if you commit to change, find a partner to keep you accountable.  Get well on your way to better health, a better self-image, and enrichment in your relationships that will naturally develop as you work out together and you have more energy to give to your family and friends.