Just like any other
diet, the Atkins diet can become boring and for some very
dangerous. Before you get into the plan make sure you get
a physical and talk to your doctor. We already know that the
diet works but how do you work the diet? There is plenty of
advice and information available online and in the library.
The Atkins Diet is an attempt to trick your body into burning
stored fat rather than the carbohydrates you consume for energy.
In the process you might have some physical reactions that
are important to know about. The good news is that there are
things you can do to combat some of the side effects.
Some people experience dizziness or cramps or other physical
effects from the changes you are making in your diet. There
are things you can do to prevent or alleviate these things.
Be aware that you could experience dizziness, leg cramps,
or brain fog. Remember that the mineral potassium is washed
out of your system fairly quickly. Do not eat a banana instead
take 90 milligrams of a potassium supplement. It should start
working to relieve your symptoms in about an hour.
Below are some suggestions that will help keep you healthy
while on the Atkins Diet Plan. These are suggestions to help
you combat the symptoms while your body adjusts to the changes.
Eat enough calories. For most people eight to ten calories
for every pound of current weight. Too few calories will
cause your body to go into starvation mode and weight loss
will either slowdown or stop completely.
Drink enough water. You must drink at least 68 ounces
of water a day. Some believe that you should drink half
of your weight in water daily. Water helps lipolysis and
in getting rid of keytones.
Weigh and measure yourself once a week only while on the
Atkins plan. You should see a decrease in inches and even
if you don’t, you will see it in weight.
Eat the amount of carbs that make you feel your best.
Eat only natural, unprocessed, nutrient dense carbohydrates.
Stay away from sugar.
Exercise regularly. If you are told you can lose weight
without exercise, run don’t walk in the opposite direction.
Physical exercise helps your body to use the food you consume
appropriately. Too little exercise can do as much damage
as too much exercise. Your doctor can help you determine
what your activity level should be. Start off really slow
and build up so that you will gain more benefit from your
food plan and exercise.
Continue to take nutrient supplements according to
your needs and under a doctor’s supervision.
Keep a weight loss and food journal. If a significant event
happens like the death of someone close, the loss of a job,
or too many bills you might want to note that. These events
could affect how you eat. Actually anything significant that
happens should be noted because good stuff can also affect
you. In this journal you should also note exactly what you
eat at each meal, and if you are a diabetic you will be able
to understand how certain foods affect your blood sugar levels
negatively or positively. Obviously you will be noting your
daily testing results. By doing this you will be able to recognize
patterns. When are your levels the highest or the lowest?
Be sure to share these things with your physician, as he or
she will be able to help you determine what to do.
Read the labels on everything. Look for any hidden sugars
like syrups and look for anything that ends in “...ose”,
such as lactose, fructose, sucrose, maltose and dextrose.
Lose weight faster. In order to accomplish
this try reducing your caffeine intake.
Set realistic goals. A healthy weight loss typically is not
much more than one to three pounds a week. Any more than that
could be unsafe. Losing weight too quickly can trick your
body into thinking that it is starving and rather than losing
weight your body will stop losing weight and try to hang on
to what it can to survive. Aside from all of that, note that
any large initial weight loss will likely return if you return
to normal eating habits.
If a diet seems too good to be true, It probably is. The best
kind of diet is one that encourages balanced meals, moderate
activity, and supplements as needed. Before taking any kind
of supplement make sure that it is appropriate for you. Although
they may be all natural, they are not necessarily safe. They
can still negatively interact with any medications and you
could still develop allergic reactions to it. Bear in mind
that nothing should be take with out your doctor’s input.
