Archive for August, 2009

Atkins and Unprocessed Foods

weight_loss_diet_atkins_180When you first start on the Atkins program, you may be tempted to take advantage of many of the low carbohydrate products on the market today. There are a wide variety of packaged items that are specifically manufactured to be low-carb. These include low-carb snacks, low-carb baking products and low-carb substitutes (like pasta or bread). While it may be enticing to fill your shopping cart with all of these goodies, it’s best for your diet and for your health to use them sparingly.

One of the key things to remember about the Atkins diet is its focus on raw, unprocessed foods. The center of diet, as shown by the Atkins diet food pyramid, is fresh vegetables and fresh meats. Added into the mix are natural cheeses, a selection of fruits and, eventually, whole unprocessed grains. There aren’t any packaged meats, canned vegetables or instant anything.

Aug 28, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Atkins Criticism

The Atkins diet is very popular, but it also comes with a lot of criticism. Health experts, doctors and diet specialists come from all different opinions when it comes to the Atkins diet and other low carb diets. Some believe that it is dangerous, some say that it is a healthy method to lose weight and others say that it works on a short-term basis.

However, there are also thousands of individuals who have found success with the Atkins diet. They can speak from personal experience and know that the diet works and it is an effective means of keeping weight off. There are thousands of testimonials that tout the benefits of the low carb way of living.

There are many typical criticisms of the Atkins diet. One of the first is that the diet it too high in fat. The butter, oil and fatty meats that are used in the Atkins diet are a far cry from the low-fat diet fad that recently swept the nation. For many people, the low fat mindset has prevailed and they cannot fathom eating real butter or cream with their meals. It seems like too much fat at first glance. However, those that pay close attention to Dr. Atkins guidelines and follow the program closely know that the diet focuses on good fats. Extra virgin olive oil and other helpful fats are emphasized. The proper use of these oils is important to brain function and mood management.

Aug 26, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Muscle and Fitness Magazine: Are There Really Truth on It?

10 rules of fat lossThe Muscle and Fitness Magazine, the contents here has never failed to fascinate its readers. For this reason, many are purchasing it, wishing they might also get the same body shapes of the personalities featured inside of it.

But how credible are the contents of these magazines really? There are some people who are claiming that the magazines’ features are merely lies. That instead of guiding people to the appropriate fitness exercise they needed, they mislead them.

According to these people, the muscle and fitness magazines only lure the readers to aim for physical perfection.

Aug 21, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Body Fitness: Putting It First Into Your Lives

fitness-man-and-woman-thumb4415594The human body is considered fit if its mental and physical health are good, it strictly follows proper habits, diets, and exercises, and can handle and deal with everyday stresses.

You should nurture your body with proper nutrition to function well and stay healthy. Important minerals, vitamins, and foods must be provided to achieve overall fitness. Keep in mind that good spiritual, mental, and physical health is the real meaning of fitness.

Aug 19, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Fitness Equipments: The Different Fitness Equipments for Your Body

used exercise equipmentToday, more and more people want to have a great looking body for different reasons. Some people wants to have a great looking body in order to attract the opposite sex, some wants to have a great looking body for health reasons while others simply enjoys working out.

There are several methods that people do today to get a great looking body. However, you have to consider that not all of these methods are considered to be healthy. There are people who are too lazy to exercise and try on different weight loss methods with negative results in their bodies. Some tries liposuction surgery. However, you have to consider that liposuction is only a temporary method. You still need to maintain your body by exercising in order to prevent it from accumulating fat again. You have to realize the fact that muscles burn fat. The more you exercise and develop your muscles, the more you will burn fat.

Aug 17, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Overcoming plateaus on the Atkins diet

healthy-dietIf you are experiencing a stall or plateau in your Atkins weight loss efforts, you are not alone. This occurs from time to time. However, you first must make sure that you have actually reached a plateau point.

A plateau means that you have gone an extended period of time without losing weight or inches. It’s important to take your measurements before you start your weight loss plan, in addition to your weight. On some weeks it may not seem like you are losing any at all on the scale. But a quick look at your measurements will prove otherwise.

On the Atkins diet you are replacing fat with muscle, which is denser and heavier. You might actually gain a little weight because you are building muscle to replace your fat. The result will be an increase on the scale, but a decrease in your inches. Your body will be smaller and leaner, but you may weigh the same.

Aug 07, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Atkins Shopping Tips

atkins_dietWhen you start the Atkins diet, you are entering a new world of eating. And nowhere is that more apparent than at the supermarket. Suddenly, all of your stand-by foods like macaroni and cheese, pasta and bread are no longer on your shopping list. When you go shopping for the first few times you may feel like a fish out of water. However, with a bit of practice you’ll feel just as comfortable as you were with your previous shopping lists.

Successful Atkins shopping starts before you reach the store. There are many resources for shopping lists online and in Atkins books. Before you head for the store, make a list of the week’s recipes and then decide what you’ll need to make each meal. Make sure to purchase low-carb snacks for in between meals.

Aug 05, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Atkins and Diabetes

weight_loss_diet_atkins_180The Atkins diet principles lay the foundation for a healthy, more balanced way of eating than the standard American diet. Its emphasis is on using good carbohydrates in balance with adequate protein. This is in stark contrast to what most Americans eat on a daily basis. The average American eats lots of processed foods that have hidden sugars and highly processed carbohydrates. This has put most Americans on the road to diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions. What is sad is that diabetes has a predictable set of stages and that they can be easily recognized.

The road to diabetes has to do with something called the glycemic index. All carbohydrates are rated on this index with regards to the level of insulin reaction they produce. Foods that have a high glycemic index rating will cause your pancreas to release a lot of insulin to break down the amount of sugars and carbohydrates (which produce high amounts of glucose). The refined carbohydrates and sugars that make up the vast majority of the American diet rank very high on the glycemic index.

Aug 03, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post