Dieters have been seeking new solutions since they had difficulty with low-fat programs, and they have found it in Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution book. Many people have joined the Atkins diet trend, and there has been a great deal of publicity as a result. The following describes the fundamental rules of the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet was founded on a basic theory that explains why we get fat. Dr. Atkins has based his diet on the finding that an excess intake of carbohydrates and plain sugars cause an increase in weight. The manner in which your body processes the carbohydrates you consume has more do with your waist area than with the quantity of calories from fat that you consume. According to the book, Dr. Atkins describes a physical process called “insulin resistance.” He hypothesizes that a number of overweight people have cells that do not function efficiently.

Whenever you consume extra sugar and carbohydrates, your body notices that sugar levels are raised. The pancreas then releases insulin in order to keep sugar in the muscle cells and liver as glycogen for spare energy. Yet, your body can only store a certain amount of glycogen at any given time. As soon as the glycogen deposit reaches its limit, the extra carbohydrates are stored as fat. This occurs in anyone who consumes too many carbohydrates.

Still, people who are resistant to insulin have a difficult time storing and using extra carbohydrates. If the body is exposed to more insulin, it will become more resistant. Over time, cells become resistant to insulin because the pancreas secretes more insulin. Cells produce more fat and less glycogen, since they are protecting themselves from the harmful results of high insulin.

The outcome is that people who are insulin resistant gain excess weight. The carbohydrates change into fat rather than energy. Sleepiness, fatigue, depression, intestinal bloating, low blood sugar, increased blood sugar and brain “fog” are some other side effects. There is much more at risk than weight gain if you are insulin resistant.

Diet restriction of carbohydrates is the cure for people who are resistant to insulin. The basic point of the Atkins diet is a restriction of carbohydrates, which include simple sugars (sweets, sodas and cookies), complex carbohydrates (rice, grains and bread), and even healthy carbohydrates (brown rice, whole wheat bread and oatmeal).

The Atkins diet limits carbohydrate consumption to fewer than 40 grams per day. This will place your body in ketosis state, during which your body will convert fat into fuel. This process will affect the production of insulin, thus preventing the development of more fat. You will lose weight since your body will begin using kept fat as an effective kind of fuel.

Another advantage of the Atkins diet is that ketosis will reduce your desire for carbohydrates. If you have been living on a carbohydrate-heavy diet, reducing the amount of carbohydrates can be unsatisfactory. A decrease in the desire for carbohydrates comes with the restriction of carbohydrates and ketosis. People who have been practicing the Atkins diet for a period of time report that they do not desire carbohydrates as much as before.

Though the first stages of the Atkins diet are quite strict, the program instructs you to reestablish equilibrium in your diet over the long term. People who practice the diet slowly reintroduce minimum quantities of carbohydrate until they determine an easy equilibrium between carbohydrates and their well-being.

The fundamental rules of the Atkins diet have been modified in numerous other low-carbohydrate diet programs. However, the popularity of the Atkins diet has remained solid as one of the most potent low-carbohydrate methods for people who are resistant to insulin.

A lifetime upkeep is the final stage of the Atkins diet program, which is basically continuing your newly-planned eating habits so as to maintain your target weight. The regime that you practice with Atkins is meant to be continued throughout your life.

Pre-maintenance is the third phase of the Atkins diet program, and this is where you have learned the quantity of carbohydrates that you can manage while at the same time maintaining your target weight. It is necessary that you have implemented this level of carbohydrate intake, and also that this will be tolerable for you.

During the final phase, your choice of food will expand, thus resulting in somewhat higher carbohydrate intake. You are allowed to eat the foods that you enjoyed before you began the diet program, although the amount still depends on your metabolism. In the event that you decide to return to eating the foods you crave, your consumption must be moderate and limited.

Maintaining your carbohydrate intake is the simplest method to shed those extra pounds. Fluctuation in your weight is also common when you are on a diet because of some changes in your hormone balance. You may lose 2-3 pounds once in a while, and that is entirely normal.

In addition, you will be able to overcome the bad habits you may have had while in the maintenance stage. Remember that going on a diet is not easy, and there will be times that you will feel deprived, but you will learn the techniques to deal with that. Plenty of challenges are ahead, but a number of solutions are available to you.

Preparation is the most important thing to consider. If you have been practicing the Atkins weight loss program for months or years already, then you will know by now how much your carbohydrate intake should be, as well as the foods that make you crave more carbohydrates. You may also have discovered the foods that lead you to excessive eating and ways to overcome this type of problem.

Preparing for a lifetime upkeep means promising yourself that your weight will never be what it was before. You may want to give away your oversized and loose clothes as part of your commitment. Having a journal is also a good way to keep you motivated over time. The benefits of being slim should be written down, so you will always remember that your present life is better than the previous.

Select a range for your target weight. Let us say your goal is 165 lbs., then 160 to170 lbs. would be your maintenance for a lifetime. If at some point your weight has increased to 170 lbs., that indicates that you will need to be more strict. Do not let your weight fluctuate by more than 3 to 5 lbs. one way or the other.

Check your weight once a week so you will know if there is an improvement. This will also serve as your guideline to dealing with your eating habits for the next week.

Exercise is also important because it keeps your metabolism always active and helps you to eat the right amount of food.