Dieting Delilah - I help diet

The Atkins diet is a low-carb diet, and operates on the logic that when you deprive your body of carbs, you force it to start a process called lipolysis/ketosis, when it starts to burn fat. The diet is therefore also known asa ketosis diet.

Atkins has several phases.

In the first two weeks of the Atkins diet, you are not allowed any carbohydrates at all. Not a single bite. Stumble once, and you’ll have to start all over again.

In the second phase, you’re allowed 10 grams of carbs. Then 20. Then 30.

Once you reach your desired weight you enter the Adkins maintenance phase, but even then you’ll have to keep a “critical carbohydrate level” (basically, the maximum amount of carbs in a day) or you’ll gain back the pounds.

Here’s the good news: Atkins controls carbs but lets you have everything else you want. Meat, eggs, butter are all fine.

The Verdict: It’s one of the more “manageable” low carb diets since the menus aren’t as strict as South Beach, and you’ll find most of the recommended meals in the restaurant or cafeteria—perfect for working women or busy college students. Unfortunately, you don’t get much fruit, and since you’ll gain back the weight if you start taking carbs you need to be serious about your commitment.

Categories: long-term, low maintenance, regimented, body

Feedback: “The hardest part of Atkins is the first month. You really need solid support or you’ll give up. I asked my husband to go along with it until I got used to giving up the carbs—I wouldn’t even keep bread in the house! Once I got used to it I could watch him wolf down pasta and I wouldn’t miss it at all.” - Tracy, (STATE)