If you’re reading this, it’s quite likely you have lost weight on all sorts of diets. Only to regain those stubborn pounds as soon as you resume your previous eating habits.
What will make Atkins the diet that allows you to actually lose the weight, and keep it off… for good? It’s simple. Stop thinking of Atkins as a “diet” and start thinking of it as a new way of eating.
At this point, I would typically delve into the fascinating science behind Atkins—there are over 80 studies that highlight the positive weight loss results and other health benefits associated with following Atkins. And I have written plenty of previous blogs that cover this topic. Today I want to get down to the basic bare-bone facts:
1) Too many carbs; particularly sugar, refined grains like white flour and other processed foods; keep your body from burning fat for energy.
2) Don’t feed your body this way and you’ll find it easier to moderate your appetite and therefore lose weight.
Why? This new way of eating forces your body to burn its own fat for energy. And it doesn’t stop there. Once you’re burning primarily fat, other wonderful things happen, including natural appetite control. As you discover your tolerance for carbs—your personal carb balance--most people find that their cravings for sugary, starchy foods vanish—or at least moderate.
Ready to turn your body into a fat-burning machine? Here are some simple tips to get started:
--Start by consuming 20 grams of net carbs a day (net carbs are total carbs minus fiber).
--Make sure 12 to 15 grams of these net carbs come from Foundation Vegetables.
--Don’t worry about the percentage of fat, protein or carbs or number of calories you are eating.
--Read food labels—watch for hidden carbs.
--Write down everything you eat.
--Track your progress—Not just your weight, but your measurements, energy level and mood.
--Join the Atkins Community—It’s your free, built-in support system!
--Take this journey day by day and pound by pound. You are in this for the long haul, not just for the few weeks before swimsuit season or that class reunion.
--Expect fluctuations and plateaus (I’ve written plenty on these topics to help you make it through these situations).
--You may lose a lot at first; the key is to stick with the program. When you have reached your goal weight (and achieved your personal carb balance)—here’s the big key—continue to follow the Atkins lifestyle.
Of course, there are so many other details I could write about that show you how Atkins works (you can start by reading any of my past blogs), but today I wanted to show you how simple Atkins really is, and how easy it is to get started. It’s a helpful reminder, even for those of you who may have been following Atkins for some time.