Does Atkins Diet Work?

Depending upon your progress, there are different phases to optimise your dieting results on the Atkins Diet. The diet is split into four phases: the first is Induction, the second Ongoing Weight-loss, the third is Pre-maintenance and the final stage is Maintenance. These phases, combined with habitual exercise and nutritional supplements, should lead to a steady weight loss.

Induction

This phase is for the first 14 days that you commence the diet. During this you may not consume more than 20 grams of carbohydrate per day. The only dairy products you are permitted during this stage are cream, butter and cheese. You may not have any other dairy products, bread, fruit, grains or any starchy vegetables (such as potatoes for example).


Ongoing Weight-loss

After these 14 days are up each individual dieter is encouraged to experiment with different carbohydrate-intake levels until they find a level that is comfortable for them. The goal is to find the highest carbohydrate intake that still allows you to lose weight. This level should be maintained until the individual dieter has reached their goal weight.

Pre-maintenance

Once you have lost the desired amount of weight, you should experiment with your carbohydrate intake again. This time you should find the highest intake level which allows you to maintain this new weight. This process is also part of the Maintenance phase.

Maintenance

During this phase you should continue the process begun above. In order to maintain your weight and avoid putting it back on, then you must stick to this level of carbohydrate intake. It is important to note that you may well have to stick to this for the rest of your life to avoid gaining weight.

Does the Atkins Diet Work?

Different diets are more effective for different people, dependent on their lifestyle, health and their body’s general compatibility. If the Atkins diet does not seem to be working for you as you had hoped then it may be a good idea to discuss it with a nutritionist. If there are no alterations you can make to your Atkins diet regime then perhaps another diet would be more effective for you.

Things to Consider

Regardless of your individual health and circumstances it is advisable to consult your doctor or a nutritionist before going on the Atkins diet. In this way you can ensure that this diet is compatible with you and that, if you proceed, you can embark upon your diet safely. In addition, this will give you a more informed view of the Atkins diet which means that your diet is more likely to be a success and yield the results you want.

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