Atkins Overview

Atkins Overview

While Atkins is often referred to as a diet this is not an accurate description, what Atkins is is a lifestyle change. This is an important distinction to be aware of. If you approach the Atkins program like it's a fad or quick weight loss diet, you may be successful in the short term but over the long term you will gain back the weight. What happens is you will be failing to learn the skills needed to maintain a healthy low carbohydrate diet. When you go on the Atkins program there are four distinct stages.

The first stage of Atkins is known as induction. This phase of the program is probably going to be the most difficult and the biggest change from your current lifestyle. However most people begin to see the results of their labors fairly quickly. The biggest change for most people is the reduction in carbohydrates they are allowed to consume. During the induction stage you are allowed 20 grams of net carbohydrates per day. The majority of these will come from vegetables. The concept behind this change is to exhaust the body's supply of carbohydrates and force the body to switch to burning fat for energy. The amount of time you will spend on the induction phase will vary, and is based primarily on how much weight you have to lose, however the minimum time period for the induction phase is two weeks.

The second phase for the Atkins program is known as the ongoing weight loss stage or OWL. In addition to the protein and vegetables you are currently eating, you will now be able to introduce a limited amount of carbohydrates back into your diet. You will start out by adding a small amount of carbohydrates into your diet. As long as you are continuing to lose weight you will increase the amount every week. Once you notice the weight loss has stopped you will have reached the upper limit of your carbohydrate intake. You will then lower the carbohydrate level back down slightly to a level where you continue to lose weight. This level is different and unique for every individual. You will continue on this phase until you are within 10lbs of your goal weight

The third phase of Atkins is the pre management phase. In this phase you will slightly increase you're your carbohydrates again this time in smaller amounts. You are trying gradually slow the weight loss down until you are losing no more than 1 -2 lbs per week. You will stay on this phase until you have actually reached your goal weight. When you get this far you will be ready for the final phase.

The final phase of the Atkins program is known as Lifetime Maintenance. Having established what your personal carbohydrate level is during the OWL and pre maintenance phases, you will use this level and make a final upward adjustment to your net carbohydrate intake so that you have completely stopped losing weight. If you continue to exercise you will be able to increase you're your carbohydrate intake further. In addition to the carbohydrates you will be able to add grains back into your diet. You will however need to eat limited quantities of bad or processed grains.

That's a very general overview Atkins of the Atkins program. There are more details and information you will need but this is a general overview that will enable you to decide if the Atkins program is right for you.