The Atkins Diet

By Cliff Pape

There are many different diet plans that have emerged of time but few have been as popular as The Atkins Diet. During the 1990s, The Atkins Diet exploded as a major diet fad, but calling it a fad would be a very poor classification. Whether or not the diet is popular is irrelevant, what is important is whether or not the diet plan will work. And this diet can definitely work and deliver great results.

Contrary to what some assume, The Atkins Diet did not first emerge in the 1990s. It first appeared in the 1970s and was popular for a short while until its re-emergence in the 1990s. This diet derived from the discoveries of Dr. Robert Atkins. Atkins was a physician who was himself suffering from obesity.

Based on his research, Atkins felt that one of the most common causes of obesity was not the concept of eating high fat or calorie diets. Instead, it was the presence of excess carbs in the diet that was the culprit for obesity. In, 1972, he wrote the bestseller, The Atkins Diet Revolutions, but the revolution was short lived until it came back in the 1990s. Perhaps it was the lack of publicity that led to its demise in the 1970s. Thankfully, it returned and many have been strongly using it.

How do carbs cause weight gain? Carbs are one of the three main components that make the food we eat, the other two being fat and protein. The prime purpose of carbs is to provide your body with energy. When you do not have carbs when you expend energy, your body turns to stored fat as the source. This means when you cut out carbs, your body will burn fat effectively.

Also, carbohydrates lead to the body raising its insulin levels. Insulin will promote the storage of body fat and when you have lower insulin levels, it becomes a lot less difficult to maintain excess body fat. So, when you are on The Atkins Diet, the potential to shed excess weight is greatly enhanced.

Beginning The Atkins Diet, you enter into the induction stage. This is when you eliminate the body of all carbs completely. You pretty much eat no carbs other than a tiny amount derived from veggies or fruits for several days to weeks to allow the body to metabolize your stored fat. Once your weight goal is reached, you can increase your carb intake to the point where it maintains your current weight.

What if you start to gain weight? You simply return to the induction stage and cut out your carbs in order to expand your ability to shed weight again.

Yes, The Atkins Diet involves a relatively simple concept but it is an extremely effective one. That is why it is so popular and will remain so for quite some time. Consider it one of the very best diets available to those looking to lose stubborn weight. - 31828

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