Here's the problem with Atkins and any other diet: someone made it, but it isn't you.
In other words, the diets given by Atkins and so fort will work in the short term: you will lose weight. Surprise why so many people try it and it works and that is why it continues to hit the market.
Now, here's the problem: you regain the weight because you didn't change your liftstyle, you only changed it in the short run.
Now, let me tell you a secret in keeping weight off and maintaining a healthy lifestyle: eat a variety of food, and don't sit down all day.
All you need to do is maintain an active lifestyle, which will burn calories and promote weight loss. Don't stress over "good" food and "bad" food right now. Also, try to be active. Do things you like to do, and continue doing it. If you like walking in the park, do it. Just because you may think it's small, it really isn't. Take this example: I saw a man at the gym who was running on a treadmill like crazy and sweating like crazy. He had it on like 4.0 incline, and running at 9 mph. He stops like 20 times to catch his breath, and it took him nearly 40 minutes (when I got there he was on minute 15, and I just begun my daily 30 minutes run which I love to do). He said he burnt 700 calories doing that and I asked how many times he does it in a week. He said this is his first time and he's going to continue doing it despite the fact he looked like he was about to die. Guess what? I never seen him again, and imagine this, if he just ran for 10 minutes a day, for 7 days burning around 150-200 calories, he would have burnt more calories than that one day he burnt the 700. So basically, remember, exercise is about doing things you like, and not doing it "hardcore, give it all or nothing."
As for diet, just remember, eat different types of food. If you follow a simple rule: eat in moderation and eat all types of different food, you'll find that you'll eat less than you are eating right now and on top of that you'll naturally select healthier food because they'll fill you up. Listen to your body is the key here. Different food insures you get all the proper marconutritions, and micronutritions. Drink plenty of water, and if you like soda, restrict it slowly and you'll begin to naturally drink more water.
Common pitfalls (reasons why people "give up"):
* They set unrealistic goals: I will lose x pounds in y days, then when that day comes, they say they're a failure and give up. Remember, it took you a long time to get where you are today. It is hard to lose weight... but it is even harder to lose it when you set unrealistic goals. As a matter of fact, I recommend not worrying about your weight at all... and just focus your mind on your nutritional and physical health... weight will naturally come off. Weight, while an ideal thing to keep track of, is in no way a determination of of your overall health.
* Diets (such as Atkinds, Slimfast, etc). Eat food you want to eat, not food others tell you to eat. The more you try to resist the food you want to eat, the harder it becomes to resist it. Eventually you'll just be on a binge craze and eat everything because you "blown" the diet you were on. Remember... no single food makes you fat... no single day of overeating makes you fat... it's about the nutritional choices you make in the long run.
* Doing things they hate. The “all or nothing” mentality. One day at the gym, I saw this woman hanging off the pull up bars screaming in pain. My thoughts were, "Why the heck is that woman doing that if it hurts?" Guess what... I never see her again. Who the heck wants to go to the gym if all they're doing is things they hate? Remember, find stuff you like to do, and keep doing it. Even if it's small, it can go a long way on a week by week basis. For example, walking 30 minutes can burn probably 50-150 calories, times that by 7 days, and you just burnt a lot of calories doing something you like to do. Remember... do things you like to do and continue doing. Don't listen to people saying things like "But that doesn't burn enough calories." Just remember, being active can go a long way even if the activity is "small.. Also remember... exercise doesn't have to occur at the gym in order for it to count!... you can take a walk after dinner; you can clean the house; you can do some garden work; you can take the dog for a run or play at the park; you can walk up the stairs at work instead of taking the elvator; you can swim at the beach; It doesn't have to be at the gym to count!
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