The Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition">Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition">Atkins diet hit our household like a ton of bricks. Kay and I lost about 3 stone between us.

The phenomenal book, “Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition">Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition">The New Atkins Diet” by the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins suggested that to get sustained weight loss we need to look at the carbohydrates we eat, not the fat.

Just like Kay and me, lots of fatties and not so fat people have successfully lost the pounds with the Atkins diet.

Of course the one proviso with this diet, as with any really, is to check with your doctor before starting it.

I’d also suggest that if you’re pregnant don’t use it because when I was doing it I felt like I was a victim of the Irish potato famine, which wouldn’t be good for any unborn babies!

What Is The Atkins Diet?

With the Atkins diet you don’t “count” calories, instead you wave a fond farewell to junk food and processed food and all those lovely carbs.

Your diet begins to resemble a vegetarian’s nightmare, as you pile the plate with meat and animal products like cream and cheese. And you eliminate the breads, pies and other carb-rich foods.

How The Atkins Diet Works

The result of reducing the carbohydrates to almost nothing is that you eat a lot of vegetables and a great deal of meat.

The result is that your body goes into a state called “ketosis". That means your body burns the fat for energy instead of the food in your diet. The theory then goes on to suggest that doing this cuts down insulin production which in turn stops more fat being deposited around the body.

The Atkins Diet Process

There are 3 basic steps in the Atkins diet

• Induction
• Ongoing weight loss
• Maintenance

Atkins Induction Step

This takes 2 very slow weeks during which time you cut back your carbohydrates to just 20 grams each day. You’re allowed a very few low-carb vegetables, but even those are limited. So for example carrots are out! So you can’t gnaw on a nice carrot when you’re peckish.

People say they lose about 15 pounds in this first stage. I lost about 12 pounds.

Ongoing Weight Loss Step

Your carbohydrate intake rises to 25 grams per day And the aim is to increase the amount of carbs you eat until you reach a stable level where if you ate a few more grams you’d put on weight.

Diet Maintenance Step

The point about the Atkins diet is that you’re expected to only eat “healthy” carbs once you’ve reached your ideal weight. I can tell you from bitter experience that you begin to crave the “bad” carbs more and more as you continue on the diet. Or maybe it’s just me?

Cautionary Atkins Diet Tales

Of  course almost any diet attracts comment and cautions

However, the Atkins diet safety has been questioned because it is so severe in its carbohydrate restrictions.

Whilst I did get a headache for the first week by the second week it had disappeared. To be totally honest I went on this diet a second time and lost weight again, after I’d put it on by stopping the "Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition">Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition">The New Atkins Diet!"

However, I’m pretty sure I wont use it again as I discovered that by the time I’d finished it meat, such as corned beef, and cheese that I’d loved I actively disliked. So reducing my options for food if I tried it again!

In summary, the diet worked for both me and Kay. As I said I wont be using it again and luckily I’ve found a lifestyle that has helped me drop 2 stone and keep it off. I’ll talk more about that in a later post.