How Does the Atkins Weight Loss Diet Work?

Today the Atkins weight loss diet is considered to be the most popular of all the low carb diet plans available. This particular diet restricts the amount of refined and processed carbohydrates in food as well as restricting the amount of sugary foods, such as bread, pasta and starchy vegetables.

This diet, formulated by Dr. Atkins, is based on the belief that excess consumption of carbohydrates in the reason why people are overweight. An additional factor is that many people have a hypersensitivity to carbohydrates.

In fact the whole principle that this plan is based upon relates to the way in which the body processes the carbohydrates that a person eats. This is strikingly different from other diet plans that assume weight gain is caused by consuming too much fat. Dr Atkins believes that many people who are overweight are "insulin resistant." Their body cells that convert the carbs they eat into glucose (which provides the body with energy) are not actually working correctly. However, there are many diet experts who do not agree that everybody who has a weight problem is insulin resistant.

So how does the Atkins weight loss diet work?

As you reduce their intake of carbohydrates to less than 40g each day the body begins a process known as ketosis. During this process your body will start to burn the fat stored in your body as fuel. Dr. Atkins states that during this process there is an effect on the insulin that the body produces which helps to prevent more fat from being formed.

The Atkins weight loss diet plan suggests that once your body has begun to efficiently use the stored fat as fuel, your cravings for carbohydrates will decrease. You will often find that you no longer even want the foods that you have removed from your diet.

It is important for anyone starting the Atkins weight loss diet to begin restricting the carbohydrates in processed, pre-packaged or junk foods. You should instead be prepared to follow an eating plan which is high in protein.

This particular plan consists of 4 stages which are induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and maintenance. It is normally during the induction stage of the Atkins weight loss diet that weight loss is rapid and this is because you are now limiting your carb intake to just 20g each day.

The Atkins weight loss diet has been used by thousands of people over the past few decades. It has proven to be a very effective weight loss plan. If you are looking for a diet that will really work for you, you could do worse than to choose the Atkins plan.

An effective weight loss diet plan does not have to mean deprivation or back-breaking exercise routines. To discover simple strategies for lasting weight loss and a free book of delicious recipes, be sure to check out my Painless Weight Loss Tips blog at: http://www.painless-weight-loss.com/

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