Exercise regularly, but wait until after the first two weeks to start trying more intense exercises, since you will consume a lot of fat during this time. All that fat floating around in your system is not compatible with high intensity workouts.
The good news is that because you will be consumed a lot of protein, it can help build muscle, and muscle helps boost metabolism, so that you can burn the calories you do take in more efficiently.
Regular foods are eaten on this plan, so no special grocery list needs to be made, unless you want to try some of the rather expensive items which help to support you in phase 2 and phase 3, the maintenance phase of the diet.
For those are in love with bread, it is a good idea to remove all of the carbohydrates that are prohibited by the diet from the home removing the temptation to sneak. The low carb bread is okay, but again, not allowed in the induction phase.
For those with children or other family members who are not participating in the Atkins diet, this can be a huge challenge of willpower.
As can eating out, and of course, visiting people in their homes. The supplement bars are useful as snacks on the go, but seriously, as soon as you start adding carbs back into your diet, you will plateau and stop seeing the weight coming off.
We like Blaine’s Low Carb kitchen recipes because he has many interesting, if somewhat fatty dishes, which can definitely keep you from getting bored on this diet. You can catch episodes on FitTv on cable. And you can always adapt the recipes to your own diet and health needs, since this is definitely NOT a heart healthy diet.
So the Atkins diet is not just a fad, it really does work for short term weight loss. It will most definitely work for people who have to lose weight fast, or lose a large amount of weight and want to see fast results to make sure they don’t get discouraged.
As a long term strategy, it is not practical or heart healthy. However, in just going through the induction program, it does make us looks at food in a whole different way. It reveals just how many carbs we consume. Some of us ARE carb sensitive and have to be vigilant. It also reveals the minefield of carbs we have to titptoe through when eating in public.
As with all diets, the Atkins diet WILL work if YOU follow it, and exercise will be an even better way to achieve rapid weight loss if you stick with it.
