The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited

choice and some believe it can be dangerous. Get a

physical to make sure you can tolerate the diet and

inform the doctor about your decision to try the Atkins

diet. Make sure you completely understand how the diet

works.

You can get all the information, both positive and

negative, that you could want online, at the library or

the bookstore. The Atkins diet attempts to get your

body to burn fat instead of carbs as fuel. Atkins dieters

sometimes experience physical reaction in the early

weeks of the diet.

There are things that can be done to alleviate these

symptoms. Dizziness and muscular cramps can be

experienced by new Atkins dieters. You might have

dizziness, cramps or other physical effects caused by the

dietary changes you are making. You can take steps to

prevent cramps and other symptoms.

Brain fog, dizziness and muscular cramps are common

reactions to the dietary changes. Minerals like potassium

wash out of your system rather quickly. A banana will not

replace all the potassium loss, you need to take a

supplement. Your symptoms should improve in about an

hour.

Here are some hints to help you stay healthy while on

Atkins. There are ways to help you combat the

symptoms of the dietary changes. You need to eat at

least 8 calories per pound of body weight. You need to

drink enough water to flush toxins from your system.

Some people recommend drinking water equal to half

your body weight, that is a lot of water. Water helps the

body to rid itself of acidic ketones and also helps in

lipolysis , the burning of fat rather than carbs for energy.

Don't weigh or measure yourself more than once a week,

more often will have you obsessing over every 1/4 ounce.

You will likely see a decrease in inches after the first

week, if not you will surely see it in pounds. Eating the

carbs that make you feel your best, still means you need

to stay within the limits for the diet stage you are in. You

will get more "bang for the buck" if you choose

unprocessed, natural nutrient dense carbohydrates.

Sugar is an absolute no-no. Regular exercise is absolutely

necessary. Do not even consider a program that

promises you can lose weight without exercise. Exercise

helps the body to better utilize the foods you consume.

Not doing enough exercise is as bad as doing too much.

Ask your doctor's advice about how often, how much

and what type of exercise is right for you. Don't start off

by trying to run a 10k, try a walk around the block and

build up tolerance for more.

Be sure to take the nutrient supplements prescribed by

your doctor. You should have a journal to record your

weight loss and food consumption. If a major event or

life change happens, record it and the emotions, since

these can affect how you eat. What happens in your life

affects what you eat, how much and even how often

you eat.

Significant events should also be entered because even

good stuff can affect you. Keep track of exactly what

you eat in your food journal if you are diabetic you will be

able to see how certain foods positively or negatively

affect blood sugar levels. You should record your daily

test results in this journal also.

Your journal will teach you to recognize patterns and to

realize when your blood sugar levels are changing. Share

your journal, or at least the trends you have noticed,

with your doctor so that he can determine what needs

to be done. Read the labels on every pre-packaged

food item, look for white flour and hidden sugars.

You will lose weight faster if you limit your caffeine intake.

The Atkins diet, or any other diet, is not going to take off

50 pounds in a week. A weight loss of 2-4 pounds a week

may be realistic for one person but not for another.

Losing more than this could be dangerous.

If weight loss is very rapid your body will go into

starvation mode and try to hold on to what it can, and

weight loss will stop cold. Any large weight loss will be

regained if you return to your "normal" eating habits.

Your prior "normal" eating patterns are what made you

overweight to begin with.

A diet that promises phenomenal weight loss in a very

short period of time is likely a scam. A really workable diet

is one that recommends a balanced diet, exercise and

possibly supplements. Be sure that any supplement is

safe in general and for you in particular.

Just because a supplement is all natural, doesn't mean it

is safe. Some supplements can interact with certain

medication, so be cautious. No medications, vitamins or

supplements should be taken without your doctor's

approval.