A low carb diet such as the Atkins diet or the South Beach Diet (although some say this one is not a low carb diet but the right carb diet) can be very helpful for those who want to lose large amounts of weight. However, this diet needs to be followed how it was meant to be followed for it to work. One way to be able to refrain from gaining weight on this diet is to understand the purpose of each stage of this diet.
The first phase of a low carb diet is usually the strictest time of the diet in regards to the level of carbs eaten. This part of the diet lasts approximately two weeks. All fruits and starchy vegetables, refined breads, and other high carb foods are not eaten during this time. Instead, the person eats lean meats, creams, butters, cheese, and other foods that were originally forbidden. This first stage has a purpose.
The purpose of the first stage of most low carb diets is to help with the following three aspects:
To induce Benign Dietary Ketosis: This is when fat metabolites show up in the urine stream and can be detected with Ketosix. This is the sign that Atkins diet users are using fat as energy. Sometimes ketones are discharged from the lungs as well. Diet users reactions vary during this stage. For example, some peoples appetites diminish during this stage.
To Stabilize Blood Sugar: This stage helps keep bring the blood sugar to the level that it is supposed to be at. Not only that but it helps diminish symptoms (i.e. mood swings, brain fog, or fatigue) that come from erratic blood sugar levels.
To ignite rapid weight loss: This stage sometimes helps those who have trouble losing weight to feel good about themselves as pounds drop at a quick rate. This stage is when the most weight is loss during the Atkins diet.
The induction period of the Atkins diet is probably considered to be the most crucial part of the Atkins diet. It is also the shortest phase of the diet, so the amount of time that one has to endure this first stage is not long. Those that can make it through the first two weeks of this diet are most likely to see the best results while enrolled in this particular weight loss program.
The next phase of the Atkins diet is also important. This is the period of time when most people will find out what level of carbs is appropriate for them to eat and still lose weight. Although the weight loss progress slows down during this phase, as well as the phase that follows, it still is encouraging to those who follow this diet when they do lose 1-2 pounds a week (in some cases a little more).
During the second and third phases of the Atkins diet, users are able to increase their carb intake. However, they still need to be careful not to eat the wrong carbs, otherwise they may go back to their old weight. Those who stick to the overall plan of this diet are the ones who have the most success on this diet. The purpose of the second phase of the Atkins diet is as follows:
To find the carb level that is appropriate for each Atkins diet user. This is usually referred to as the Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing (CCLL).
To allow for more food choices and to help users of this diet to make wise ones.
To continue weight loss at a safe rate, and to keep carbs low enough to help hamper excess food cravings.
The third phase is very similar to the second phase but has an allowance for a higher level of carbs. The purpose of this phase is as follows:
To figure out how much carbs that can be eaten without gaining weight.
To reach weight loss goal. This is done at a steady slow pace during this phase.
Learn how to remain at the same weight.
The fourth phase of the Atkins diet is the one when the most carbs are allowed, and also is a maintenance stage. This phase of the diet is the one that lasts the longest, because this is the pattern that is set to be the persons ideal diet to maintain the new weight loss level achieved.
Those who follow through every phase of a low carb diet, as intended, will benefit the most from it. Also, those who find their carb level during the second and third phases of the diet will most likely be able to keep the weight off during the fourth phase of the diet.
Not only will those who follow this diet closely as planned be able to lose weight, but they will be able to prevent from gaining it back later on. This article is not a guarantee that this diet will work for everyone. However, those who follow a low carb diet closely and those who do not give up will have the best chance of success at it.
The negative impacts of smoking on our health are well documented and range from premature aging to death from heart and lung disease. Our society is more educated on the dangers of smoking than ever before, and yet, many of us still won't even try to quit. One of the most common reasons for this is the fear of possible weight gain.
Understanding the physiological progression of smoking in the human body can go a long way to helping you understand how to win the nicotine battle without losing the war on weight. Many smokers believe that they have an “addictive personality"--what they actually have is a ride on the blood glucose roller coaster.
When you begin the process of quitting, you experience what many perceive to be physical and psychological cravings for the now missing nicotine. Most of these so called cravings relate to effects of nicotine on the body, and although nicotine itself is removed from your bloodstream within the first few days after you stop smoking, the physical cravings can still be triggered, and are still mentally associated to specific tactile feelings that you experienced as a smoker, and they relate to blood glucose levels.
Within three to seven minutes from the time you light a cigarette, nicotine begins to enter your liver. The liver is your body’s glucose storage facility, and its job is to protect this glucose (fuel) for you body. When nicotine reaches your liver, the liver protects its precious cargo (fuel) by releasing the stored glucose into the blood stream. This increase in blood sugar causes you to feel good, and have more energy because you're getting what we call a “sugar rush." However, any time your blood glucose levels raise quickly, your pancreas responds by sending insulin in to "control" the excess sugar. Insulin then does its job by presenting more glucose to the cells to be burned for fuel and converting glucose that isn't presently being burned into fat. This causes your blood glucose levels to drop quickly leaving you feeling tired, anxious, an often hungry.
Having a cigarette placates this feeling and starts this cycle all over again and is why most smokers smoke twenty to forty cigarettes daily. Candy, gum, mints, soda, or any form of sugar will also placate these feelings, but just like the cigarette itself, the behavior creates the same response from insulin causing yet another craving and the cycle continues in this fashion ad infinitum. Add to this the fact that nicotine is a stimulant that increases an average smokers resting metabolic rate approximately equal to five hundred calories daily, and you have a formula that will cause massive weight gain, and weight gain is one of the primary reasons that people return to smoking. This is referred to as an anchored response: the feelings of the blood sugar ups-and-downs connected to the act of smoking which offers "relief".
With the awareness that you need to either reduce your caloric input by 500 calories a day for the first few weeks after quitting, or increase your output by the same amount, smokers are able to face this demon head-on.
Food: For the first three weeks you need to eat 3 to 4 protein-based meals and small snacks in between these meals, and these meals and snacks need to be protein based. Protein and complex carbohydrates will help to maintain a "stable" blood sugar level. Stable blood sugar means fewer ups and downs that trigger the response. Breakfast is a must! When you skip breakfast your blood sugar starts to DIVE within about 2 to 3 hours. At this point just about anything you eat causes a rapid rise in blood sugar and the cycle of ups and down begins again. Additionally, smokers should eliminate refined products and sugars including artificial sweeteners--these all contribute to the addictive cycle.
Supplements. A good quality chromium product taken 3 times a day will help maintain stable blood sugar. (Good chromium is anything that isn't Picolinate based) Chromium glycinate, polly-nicotinate, and de-nicotinate are all considered effective. An easy way to find good chromium is to look for "chromate" as a trade mark on the label.
For those smokers that can't or won't stay away from sugar and refined foods, any of the over the counter "carb blockers" will lessen the impact of blood glucose and help keep the physical responses to a minimum.
Knowing how to recognize, and deal with these addictive symptoms can often give soon-to-be reformed smokers a greater sense of power over conquering the smoking habit once and for all.
Our Hypnosis Smoking Cessation program is designed to eliminate the withdrawal cravings that are experienced when quitting cold turkey. Instead, we instill several new habits such as; to drink more water, eat a healthy diet and incorporate a moderate exercise program.
Both Jason Cox & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jason Cox has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Internet, Video and Engagement Rings. For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website. Jason Cox's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
has sinced written about articles on various topics from . . 's top article . to your Favourites.