Exercise is the Key!!!
Written: Nov 17 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: No more hunger, burns fat, feel great
Cons: May plateau without exercise
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| bluscombe's Full Review: Atkins Diet |
I was on the Atkins diet for 2 years and never felt better. Unfortunately, I only lost 30% of the weight I wanted to lose before I hit a plateau. My brother was on the diet for the same period of time and lost 100% of the weight he wanted to lose (approx 100 lbs). He was living with me at the time and we were able to constantly compare our food intake, vitamin intake, and exercise levels.
When I look back on the different results we achieved I believe that one of the key differences between us was that my brother exercised more often and at the right time of day (relative to food intake). He would walk almost every night for approx 30 minutes BEFORE he ate (usually when he got home from work).... I think this is very important to weight loss, especially when on a carbohydrate restricted diet such as Atkins. The reason for this is that by exercising at this time, your body kicks into "fat burning mode" much more readily that when you exercise on a full stomach or 1-2 hours after a meal (when the carbs are still in your system)...another great time to do aerobic exercise is when you wake up in the morning!!
Additionally, my brother started YOGA to help strengthen and tone his muscles. This helped him to maintain muscle while losing the fat. Don't underestimate the importance of muscle when trying to lose weight, since muscle acts as an "internal engine" and increases your energy requirements (Energy burned - energy consumed = energy lost). I would recommend a six day program (45 minutes of weight lifting or YOGA on M,W, and F, and 20-30 minutes of aerobics on Tu, Th, Sa (this workout program is recommended in a book, "Body-for-Life" that I recently read). Each week, you will work upper body on M and F and lower body on W. Then alternate this workout every week (e.g. next week you will do lower body on M and F and upper body on Wed).
Another recommendation I have with Atkins is that ultimately you will probably get tired of eating Caesar salads, steaks without the potatoes, etc. and will crave carbohydrates. If you can get down to your idea weight on Atkins, the program recommends that you then go into a "maintenance mode" where you will gradually introduce more carbohydrates into your diet. This is the point of truth, since these carbs will also increase your appetite... so take this part slowly!!!! Additionally, I would recommend trying to each stone-ground whole wheat breads and pastas (as they do on Sugar Busters) instead of white breads and pastas. These "lower-glycemic" breads will not have as severe an impact on your insulin levels and will therefore help you to keep on track. They are usually obtainable at a "health food" store, but are appearing more and more in grocery stores.
In fact, once you reach your ideal weight, you may want to try moving to the Sugar Busters diet as a means to maintain. The differences between Atkins-maintenance and Sugar Busters is very subtle. For one, Sugar Busters will recommend that you not each fruits in combination with other foods (only on their own, as a snack for example). They also recommend sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.
Best of luck!!! Remember to exercise!!!!!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bluscombe
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Location: NJ
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 3 members
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