During a few months on the Atkins diet, people lose about twice as much as on the standard low-fat, high-carbohydrate approach recommended by most health organizations. They do so without seeming to drive up their risk of heart disease. Rather than going kaflooey, their cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and ominous bloodstream inflammation generally improve, perhaps even more than on the standard diet.

They even appear to achieve more weight loss while actually consuming more calories than people on a so-called healthy diet.

Atkins Four Phases

1 Phase - Induction

The Akins diet is spilt up into four phases. First is the induction, second is the ongoing weight loss, third is the pre-maintenance, and forth is the Lifetime maintenance.

Induction lasts 14 days, after which you should see significant results. Beginning with Induction is your choice — you can begin Atkins at any of the four phases.

Weight loss is significant during Induction. Each day 20 grams of Net Carbs (total carb grams less fiber grams) primarily from salad and other non-starchy vegetables, are allowed.

2 Phase - Ongoing Weight Loss

The Induction (Phase 1) limit of 20 Net Carbs a day is increased up to 25 Net Carbs daily in OWL. Gradually the daily carb tally is increased, in 5-carb increments, until weight loss slows.

Counting carbs is the key to successfully managing the added freedom of OWL. Your confidence will grow as you learn to successfully control carbohydrates in a way that is unique to your own body. Stick with OWL until you are within 5 to 10 pounds of your goal weight.

3 Phase - Pre-maintenance

This phase, like OWL before it, empowers you to take your carb level up a notch while still losing weight. During OWL, carbs were increased weekly in 5 gram increments. Each week in Pre-Maintenance you can bump your daily allotment up another 10 more grams of Net Carbs, as long as you continue to lose those last few pounds. Ideally you will increase carbs until you’re losing less than a pound a week.

4 Phase - Lifetime Maintenance

Lifetime Maintenance is utopia for those doing Atkins. It is a time to prove your commitment to the sensible eating plan that has brought you close to your goal weight and given you energy, better health, confidence, and insight about yourself.

Focus now on your ACE and you’ll meet the challenge to always stay within 5 pounds of your goal weight, day by day and season by season, for the rest of your life.

Atkins and Exercise

Exercise makes you feel good. That’s why it takes center stage in the healthy lifestyle of the Atkins plan. Sure, you already know that when you exercise on Atkins you get more food choices, you’ll maximize your energy, and your body composition will improve, but there’s more to it. Exercise, like healthy eating, is about choice. Combine these positive choices and you have the makings of a healthy lifestyle.

Choose Exercise That Keeps You Motivated and Moving

Give your body what it needs by finding the exercise routine that’s just right for you.

• If you’re the quiet type, enjoy the tranquility of an early morning walk.

• If you need more of a jolt, pump up your commitment by joining a fitness class or consulting a trainer.

• If your calendar is full, check out an exercise DVD from the library and get fit at home before work.

• If you need moral support, team up with a buddy to stay motivated and connected.

Whatever exercise you choose, make a plan and a promise to get moving. Don’t cheat yourself out of the workout schedule, no matter what. The plan is yours, so embrace it and feel your spirits soar.

Atkins Diet Draw Back

High in fat and saturated fat. Low in fiber and calcium. Limited fruits and grains. This diet is very hard to stick with for weight loss and living a healthy life. The only diet that will give you life long weight loss and healthy living is one with a balance in nutrition, exercise, and the proper lifestyle.

Have a great day and God bless!