The Atkins diet is one of the most well-known and popular diets ‒ to the point that the Atkins name is an established brand that includes product lines of frozen food and meals, meal kits, treats, bars and those famous shakes. So how does it work, and what makes it different? We’ll look at how this groundbreaking diet got its staying power by producing sustainable results through healthy lifestyle changes.
What is the Atkins diet?
Now called the Atkins 20®, the original Atkins diet was introduced in 1972 by cardiologist Robert Atkins. The goal of Atkins is to learn your specific carbohydrate intake, and replace the amount of carbs that would cause you to gain weight with protein and healthy fats. With the increase of these ‘good’ foods, you will naturally feel fuller, leading to a reduction in appetite. Although highly recommended for weight loss, participants can also expect improved blood sugar, triglycerides, and (good) HDL cholesterol. Unlike most diets, it does not limit the amount of food you can eat ‒ only which types.
The four phases
The Atkins diet has four phases, created to jumpstart weight loss and introduce food restrictions.
Induction – Limit the intake of carbohydrates to under 20 grams a day. Consume foods high in protein, high in (healthy) fats, and vegetables that are low-carb. Balancing – Begin adding more nuts and low-carb vegetables into your diet. Small amounts of fruit may also be reintroduced.
Fine-tuning – Once your goal weight is reached, begin adding more carbs until weight loss slows.
Maintenance – You can enjoy as many carbs as you can, without gaining weight. This will vary per individual.
These phases are optional, and some people choose to skip or remain in certain phases. For example, many people remain in the induction phase, which is considered a ketogenic diet. Others will skip the induction phase, and start by introducing healthier nuts, fruits and low-carb vegetables. As long as the dietary guidelines are followed, the phases can be ignored all together, if one chooses.
Foods to avoid
Finding approved Atkins recipes online is easy, with thousands on the Atkins website alone. To help you stay on track, plan your week out in advance, or try meal prepping. Remember to avoid the following foods, and research replacements if you find yourself stuck:
Grains – This includes wheat, rye, rice, barley and spelt.
Sugar – Some natural sugars are fine, but any added sugars are a no-no. For example, soft drinks, cake, candy, fruit juices and more.
The following foods should only be avoided during the induction phase of the diet, and can be enjoyed in limited quantities thereafter:
Starches – Potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Legumes – Chickpeas, beets, beans, lentils and more.
High-carb fruits and vegetables – Bananas, apples, pears and grapes are just a few high-carb fruits to avoid. Vegetables include starchy vegetables, such as carrots, corn, turnips and more.
How it is different
Upon learning about the Atkins diet, many people notice that it has a number of similarities to the ketogenic diet. In fact, the induction phase of Atkins is ketosis. The primary difference between the two is that during the Keto diet, you remain in ketosis throughout the entirety of the diet. This includes not only restricting carbs, but hitting protein and fat intake goals. On Atkins, you will gradually re-introduce a healthy amount of carbs. For many followers, this makes it more practical and sustainable in the long run. With the ketogenic diet, you have to restart the entire diet over with one mishap ‒ a very discouraging setback. While both of these are effective and healthy diets, one or the other is often preferred based on a person’s eating habits.
At Solutions Weight Loss, we have a dietary solution to fit the unique needs of each one of our patients. Our team of licensed and friendly medical staff gives you the encouragement and guidance to help you stay on track or get back on track until you reach your goals. Contact us today, to get started on your weight loss journey!
Diet trends come and go faster than we can start them, but that does not hinder our curiosity. Consistently, they are chalked up to eliminating food groups or a restrictive food intake, setting us up for a mid-diet burnout or dangerous eating habits. Although some plans may achieve the desired results, they are often short-lived and lack practical healthy lifestyle choices. If you are ready to give yet another diet a go, we are happy to present our Mediterranean diet 101.
Consisting of well-balanced and relatively non-restrictive foods, the tried-and-true Mediterranean diet sets you up for a healthier, extended future. It focuses on the type of fats you eat, rather than how much. Online nutrition program, Real Living Nutrition Services, breaks down the difference between the three main fats found in our food. Along the way, you will learn about what food contains and how it has an impact on your overall health. As one of the few diets that will leave you both happy and healthy, it may be the right plan for you.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean diet encapsulates the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea in the 1960s. But why should you try the Mediterranean diet over other plans? To start, it was not developed in a lab, but evolved over 5,000 years based on a natural way of living. While the diet consists of a few basic rules, the meals created can be adapted to any local and seasonal food availability.
Elena Paravantes a Greek-American Registered Dietitian, founder of OliveTomato, and Culinary Nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean Diet, explains that, “the diet is characterized by a high intake of vegetables and olive oil, moderate amounts of carbohydrates, and small amounts of meat.”
Equally important, it is not just a weight loss plan, but promotes healthy living. The Mayo Clinic calls the diet “heart-healthy”, as it is associated with lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, thereby reducing your chance of heart disease. It is also said to reduce the chance of diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. For these reasons, most major scientific organizations encourage healthy adults to adapt a similar diet. Notably, the base of the Mediterranean diet food pyramid consists of physical activity and interactive mealtimes. The Mediterranean lifestyle considers this aspect important, as it encourages healthy socialization.
Mediterranean Diet Meals
So what areas of your diet will change? Like the DASH Diet and Ketogenic Diet, it begins with a set calorie goal. A typical Mediterranean diet will range between 1,200 to 1,500 calories daily. This list will inform you about what you should and should not consume, as well as the recommended daily servings.
Meat and seafood– The ‘bad’ cholesterol previously mentioned is due to saturated fats ‒ which are the highest in red meat. The Mediterranean diet replaces meat with plant-based foods, although red meat can be enjoyed a few times a month. Eggs and poultry are better than red meat, but only in moderation. Instead, fresh fish or seafood is recommended up to twice a week, cooked in olive or canola oil.
Fruits and vegetables – As the base of every meal, an average of nine servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables should be consumed every day. At least one meal a day should include a salad or other leafy greens, so get your kale on! Other fruits and vegetable servings can include olives, figs, cherries, dates, tomatoes, grapes and melons, among others.
Grains – Unlike most diets, and a relief to many, bread is a staple in every Mediterranean meal. The only stipulation is that they are whole-grain. These contain tons of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Other grains and pasta are also regularly featured, from five to six servings a day. Whether it is dipped, smeared, or twirled on a fork, enjoy your carbs!
Nuts and seeds– A popular snack, raw nuts or seeds contain high doses of healthy fats, fiber and protein. You can have three to five one-ounce servings of raw nuts a week. The most popular are almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts and sesame seeds. A fresh pesto or tahini is perfect for dipping whole-grain bread!
Dairy products – Approved dairy products are few and should be consumed in moderation. Try to stick to unprocessed and low-fat cheese and yogurt. For example, Greek yogurt, feta and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Other dairy products are eliminated, or can be replaced with olive oil, which is much more flavorful and rich in monounsaturated fats, omegas and antioxidants. Seven to 14 tablespoons is recommended weekly.
Seasonings – One large hurdle for many to overcome is the use of salt. Often consumed with pastas and grains, large amounts of salt can increase your blood pressure, putting you at risk for heart attack, stroke, dementia and kidney disease. Instead, the Mediterranean diet utilizes fresh herbs and spices, which have a variety of health benefits.
Beverages– If you have a hard time coping with a lack of your favorite dairy, take solace in the occasional glass of wine ‒ with your doctor’s approval. The Mediterranean diet allows up to five ounces of wine daily. Like any good diet, at least six glasses of water a day is recommended. If you want a little pick-me-up, a small unsweetened coffee or tea is fine.
Sweets– Unfortunately, sweets have no place in a Mediterranean diet, including sweeteners. If you are craving something sweet, a fresh and juicy piece of fruit will keep you full. A large grapefruit, nectarine or apple can go a long way.
Conveniently, most Mediterranean meals require little preparation. For example, our easy Mediterranean omelet. Like all dishes, it contains the freshest ingredients and consists of a range of flavors. Many assume that Mediterranean meals are strictly Greek, but they include foods from many countries, such as Morocco, Spain and Turkey. Don’t be afraid to look further! If you have a hard time discovering dishes, Healthline offers a helpful example of a week’s worth of Mediterranean meals.
If you are still feeling uninspired, Dr. Newsome would love to assist you in your diet plan decision. Start your weight loss journey with the care and knowledge of a physician who understands the frustrations and challenges of weight loss. Contact us at Solutions Weight Loss, the preferred Orlando weight loss clinic.
Obesity has become an epidemic not just in the United States, but around the world. Many diet plans have been developed as a result, with varying rates of success. One diet program that is proving to be effective is DASH – Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. DASH was named as the best diet plan for the last eight years byU.S. News & World Report. Apart from hypertension (commonly known as high blood pressure), DASH is also known to fight diabetes, maintain heart health and help lower cholesterol levels.
Formulated by theNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the DASH diet was initially developed for people who want to take control of their hypertension. But, the diet soon gained traction among dieters, who found it helped them lose weight more effectively. As is known to most who want to lose weight, several nutritional factors that affect blood pressure also influence weight – such as sugar, trans fats and processed foods in general.
What is the DASH diet and how does it work?
The DASH diet works on the principle of cutting down on sodium consumption. You are advised to primarily focus on eating vegetables, fruits, and dairy foods. As far as dairy is concerned, you should choose low-fat options because they have less added salt. You also need to have some fish, poultry, whole grains, and nuts.
The amount of salt you should have depends on the type of DASH diet you are on:
The standard DASH diet – allowed to have up to 2,300 mg of sodium daily.
The low-sodium DASH diet – allowed to have 1,500 mg of sodium daily.
Unlike many other high-profile diet plans, DASH does not squarely focus on eliminating starches. When it comes to losing weight, sustainability is the key. Therefore, for best results, you need to follow a diet plan and continue it for a long time. But the problem when you select a low-carb diet plan is that it becomes hard for you to keep carbs at bay over the long term. However, the DASH diet is more palatable, making compliance easier.
The only restrictions in case of the DASH diet are to avoid sugar, fats, processed foods and sodium. Saying no to processed foods can solve most of your sugar, fat, and sodium problem. The ultra-processed foods an average American consumes in a day contributes 58% of the total calories, 90% of added sugars and 75% of sodium.
There is no doubt that processed foods contain excess salt, which increases the risk of diseases like hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. Cutting down the intake of salt can substantially lower these risks. But, it is not just these diseases that are linked to a high sodium diet – there is a distinct connection between high blood pressure and weight that cannot be overlooked.
What can I eat?! What does a typical DASH diet include?
One of the first questions people ask before starting a diet, is… what can I eat?! The Dairy Alliance and Registered dietitian Sarah-Jane Bedwell combined efforts on a video detailing some menu items that qualify for the DASH Diet.
For moderately active people ages 19 to 51, DASH requires a 2,000 calorie diet per day. This is what the DASH diet menu would read like:
Grains – The ideal scenario is to consume 6-8 servings of grains every day. You should have more of whole grains because they contain nutrients and fiber in abundance. Choose products that display 100% whole grain labels.
Vegetables – Followers of the DASH diet should have 4-5 servings of vegetables every day. Add vegetables such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and other leafy veggies to your diet, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Fruits – You should have a minimum of 4-5 servings of fruit, as it raises your energy levels and increases the fiber content in your body. You can have fruits such as apples, pears and grapefruit because these are a rich source of fiber and antioxidants.
Meat, fish, and poultry – It is always good to have meat in moderation, and that is what the DASH diet recommends. Meat contains iron, protein, B-complex vitamins and zinc. Have 4-6 servings of lean, skinless meat daily.
Dairy products – Milk and other dairy products contain protein, calcium, and vitamin D in sufficient quantity. However, select low-fat/fat-free products. You should have a minimum of 2-3 servings of dairy daily. Substitute with lactose-free dairy products if you are allergic to milk.
Oils and fats – Fats are essential for the body, as they help absorb vitamins, which helps keep the immune system in balance. Limit your fats and oil intake to 2-3 servings daily. The DASH diet recommends limiting your daily consumption of fat to under 27% and saturated fats to 7% or less.
Nuts, seeds, peas and dry beans – You should have 4-5 servings of nuts, seeds and beans every week. Nuts don’t have a good reputation because they are high in fat, but if consumed as recommended in the DASH diet, they are beneficial, as nuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats. You can have cashews, almonds, peas, sunflower seeds, pistachio, beans, and lentils, which are rich in fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
Sweets –You can have sweets, but in moderation – keeping it to five servings a week. If you consider low-fat treats – such as jelly beans, fruit ices, granola bars and low-fat cookies – be sure to read the label for their sugar content, which can be high.
A balanced diet like DASH is planned to keep you feeling full. You have sufficient fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber and enough lean protein that makes you feel full most of the time. DASH also reduces calorie intake, which helps you lose weight quickly. When you feel satisfied with your food intake, instead of constantly hungry, you are more likely to increase your physical activity, which also helps weight loss.
As everyone is different, it is always advisable to follow a customized diet plan.Solutions Weight Lossoffers effective, proven medically supervised weight loss programs that are tailored to each individual.Dr. Newsome and our entire team provide comprehensive support to every client in reaching their goal. Contact us today to learn more.
Obesity is a universal issue that affects many people, and Americans are no different. Particularly, when a new year rolls around the cries of “new year, new me!” can be heard. However, despite the fact that many Americans want to lose weight and get rid of belly fat, most are not successful in their attempts. Obesity is a risk factor for a variety of diseases including heart diseases, strokes, heart attacks, cancer and type 2 diabetes. However, they are all preventable with a health diet.
It is difficult to lose weight in the first place but one thing that is even more challenging is to maintain your weight after shedding those extra pounds. Just as fashions come and go so do many diets. However, there is one diet backed by science that is gaining a lot of popularity called the ketogenic diet.
A ketogenic diet not only helps you to lose weight; it also improves your focus and provides you the much needed energy, but what exactly does it entail.
What is Ketosis & How Does it Work?
A ketogenic diet is extremely low in carbohydrates, contains adequate amount of proteins and is high in fat.
When you reduce the intake of carbohydrates and increase fat consumption, your body slips into a metabolic state, which is referred to as ketosis. This is the state when the body fats start getting converted in to ketones.
Normally, in case of a healthy individual who is on a balanced diet, it is the body that decides the amount of fat it needs to burn. And, in such situations your body doesn’t produce or use ketones. However, when you cut down on carbohydrates, your body switches track and the process of ketosis gets underway. This ensures that the energy requirement of your body is effectively met at all times. The process of ketosis can also set in when you exercise for long durations.
After you spend some time on a ketogenic diet (few weeks), your body gets attuned to burning fats and producing ketones efficiently for energy instead of using carbohydrates.
Also, a ketogenic diet reduces the insulin levels. Other than weight loss, a ketogenic diet increases the production of ketones and maintains lower insulin levels. Hence, it (a keto diet) has many other health benefits as well.
What Does a Ketogenic Diet Include?
Protein is the mainstay of the ketogenic diet and you can eat a variety. From dairy products like cheese, creams and yogurt to meats such as chicken, pork, beef, goat, lamb, seafood and turkey.
You should also include oils and fats such as seeds and nuts. For example olive oil, sesame oil, grass-fed butter, ghee and safflower oil.
You should also include both fruits and vegetables that are low in carbohydrates. Like broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, asparagus, onions and peppers. And Fruits that are are low in sugar like avocados, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.
You can also add spices and herbs to your ketogenic diet, but be on the lookout to see if they contain any added sugar.
A ketogenic diet significantly reduces the intake of carbohydrates, limiting it to between 20 – 50 grams each day from all the sources, including whole and processed foods.
In terms of percentages, this is how a Ketogenic diet for weight loss stacks up
Low carbohydrate intake between 5 – 10% of the total calories
Moderate protein consumption of between 20 – 25% of the total calories
High fat intake, which consists of 70 – 80% of the total calories
However, depending on your height, weight, gender and lean body mass, these percentages might vary from person to person.
Food to Avoid On a Ketogenic Diet
You need to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates. This means cutting down on all the processed foods such as refined sugars and grains, juices, soft drinks, cookies, candies. As well as all flour based items that are baked, low fat products, pastas and breads. Also, avoid whole food carbohydrates such as rice, wheat, oats, corns, barley and rye. You should also steer clear of fruits such as banana, citrus fruits and apples. You also need to avoid peas and beans, white potatoes and other starchy food items.
How Does a Ketogenic Diet Help You Lose Weight?
There is no denying the fact that ketogenic diet is very helpful when it comes to weight loss. A ketogenic diet starts the process of ketosis in your body. This burns the fat in your body for energy instead of carbs because your body is already short on carbohydrates. In a study, it was found that those on a keto diet lost 2.2 times more than people who were on a low fat and low calorie diet. Good cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also found to improve when subjects were on a ketogenic diet.
If you are fed-up of counting your calories each time you sit to have your food, then ketogenic diet is the best available option for you.
Here are 5 Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet
Ketosis burn fats more effectively – When you start consuming a low carb diet and your body is short on carbohydrates then it starts burning fat from your body. In such cases, the primary source of energy changes to fat, which is directly used for energy generation. On a ketogenic diet your body remains in a state of fasting where you burn more fat during your day to day activities. People who find it hard to lose weight beyond a certain point can easily get rid of their unwanted fat once they shift to a ketogenic diet.
Ketosis helps suppress your appetite – A low carb ketogenic diet can help you suppress your appetite by changing the levels of hormones and nutrients that make you feel hungry. It also makes you feel full. When your body is in a state of ketosis, you don’t feel like eating more and you are also able to control cravings for unhealthy and unwanted foods. This clearly means that you are able to better understand the hunger signals emanating from your body and you don’t have to keep counting the calories or start fasting. And, when you are able control your appetite, it is not too difficult to lose weight.
Ketosis help regulate your weight hormones – A ketogenic diet can help you to support your weight loss endeavors by regulating the weight hormones. Once you eat, your intestine releases a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) and CCK in turn stimulates protein and fat digestion, which lowers your appetite. It means that cholecystokinin is a wonderful regulator of how much you eat. In a study, it was found that people who were injected with cholecystokinin stopped having their food earlier than those who were not given CCK. But, as you start losing weight cholecystokinin secretions takes a hit, which means you would feel hungry more often. And, this is where a ketogenic diet (hence ketosis) helps you. A week of being on ketosis is sufficient for your body to increase the levels of cholecystokinin. Ketosis takes your CCK levels back to what it was when you hadn’t lost weight. Needless to say that a ketogenic diet and subsequent ketosis can help you fight the problem of food cravings most of the time once you lose your weight. This significantly lowers your chances of regaining the weight.
Ketosis also regulates your blood sugar levels – Your blood sugar stabilizes when you are on a ketogenic diet, which includes healthy fats, proteins and vegetables. This diet is better than foods that are high in carbs and refined sugars, which have a tendency to raise your blood sugar levels that makes you feel hungry soon again. When you limit your eating, cutting your weight down is not a big issue.
Increases physical stamina – A ketogenic diet substantially increases your stamina as you have constant access to energy from your fat reserves. When you do an intense workout on a regular diet your body’s carbs or glycogen supply lasts for only a few hours. But, when you are on a ketogenic diet your fat reserves can supply energy for a very long period. You don’t just feel more energetic, but you can also do more rigorous exercises, which of course helps you lose weight pretty fast.
For a clear and tangible plan, contact Dr. Newsome atSolutions Weight Loss and get to know how a ketogenic diet will help you cut your weight.
The remarkably effective HCG diet plan was discovered (not created) in the 1950’s by a British researcher named Dr. Albert T. W. Simeons who observed that pregnant women in India shed fat while they were pregnant while still maintaining their lean muscle mass.
They were malnourished, but they still gave birth to very healthy babies. It was then that he realized right away that pregnant women had something most people don’t.
It turns out that pregnant women carry a hormone (HCG) that would pull calories and fuel from stored fat INSTEAD of lean muscle mass to feed the baby in their womb.
Of course, Dr. Simeons believed that anyone could use that same hormone to reach their weight and fat loss goals safely – while keeping their lean body mass. And (surprise, surprise) he was right!
HCG is a peptide naturally produced in large amounts by the placenta during early pregnancy. It has many functions in utero and is used medically to treat a variety of conditions. HCG was thought by Dr. Simeons to work on the hypothalamus of the brain where it encourages the body to release “fixed” or “abnormal” fat stores for fuel.
The plan is simple: eat a low (500-calorie/day) diet and take HCG hormone supplements – the same hormone pregnant women produce – and shave off pounds and pounds of fat safely, without harming your body’s natural metabolic rate. Sounds easy enough, right?
Well, yes and no. The trick is NOT to just eat less calories. If that was all there was to it, you wouldn’t really need to use the hormones would you? (Trust me: I get that question all time time, so I know that’s what you’re thinking).
The trick is actually NOT in the calorie count but in the strict reduction of fat, sugars and carbs from your diet. ONLY when you reduce fat can your body try to use the fat is already has and ONLY when you take HCG injections does your body turn to your stored fat INSTEAD of your lean muscle mass.
Warning: Without the hormones and only the diet, YOU WILL lose lean muscle mass and risk damaging your natural metabolic rate.
Warning: Without the hormones and only the diet, YOU WILL lose lean muscle mass and risk damaging your natural metabolic rate.
Stage 1: The Indulgence
The first step in the HCG Diet Plan is to get your body ready to burn all that fat in the first place. For the first 2-3 days, you should indulge yourself without overdoing it. Take your HCG supplements or injections, but eat as much of your favorite foods as you would like.
Why not just jump right into the diet plan?
It takes about 2-3 days after taking the hormone for your body to access your “abnormal fat stores,” which are key to losing weight long term. You want to keep your normal fat stores well-stocked until that point. After the first 3 days, you should be ready for the 2nd stage.
Stage 2: The Burn
The 2nd stage is the main stage of the HCG diet. Once the 2-3 day indulgence (or “loading”) phase is over, it is time for the real work to begin. The #1 rule is to limit yourself to 500 calories per day of lean meats, vegetables and fruit.
Note: Just following the 500-calorie a day rule and ignoring the rest will NOT get you the results you desire. You can’t eat whatever you want under that limit. Instead, you need to focus on eating lean proteins, fruit and vegetables, while limiting your fat, sugar and carbohydrates. Also, as always, be sure to drink plenty of water.
To learn more about fats, starches and what to avoid, read this guide from Harvard on good fats, bad fats and those confusing “in-between” fats.
Here is what an average Stage 2 Day on the HCG Diet Plan looks like:
According to Dr. Simeon, breakfast should just be liquids, such as coffee or tea.
Lunch and dinner follow this simple formula: one lean protein, one vegetable, one fruit, and one starch.
Proteins (2 servings a day) can include the following:
chicken breast (no thighs or fatty pieces)
lean beef
lobster
crab
shrimp
veal or any white fish
*Avoid fatty fish, such as eel, herring, salmon or tuna.
Vegetables (2 servings a day) can include the following:
Beet Greens
Spinach
Green Salad
Chard
Chicory
Tomatoes
Celery
Red Radishes
Asparagus
Onions
Cucumbers
Cabbage
Fruits (2 servings a day) can include the following:
Strawberries (a handful)
Small-medium sized orange
One apple
1/2 of a grapefruit
Starches (2 servings a day) can include the following:
One low-fat breadstick
One Melba Toast
Two Melba Rounds
Side note: I have had several patients who spread their dinner and lunch menus out during the day to avoid skipping breakfast. This is perfectly fine! As long as you stick to the basic menu items and 500-calorie plan, you will get the results you desire.
Stage 3: Stabilization
In his book, “Pounds and Inches,” Dr. Simeons recommended following a strict protocol for 3 weeks AFTER finishing Stage 2 and stopping your HCG drops or injections.
Here is what he recommends during this stage:
Weight yourself every day to make sure you remain within 2 pounds of your most recent injection weight
Avoid ALL sugars and starches (or, realistically, limit your intake greatly)
Eat AT LEAST 100 grams of cooked, lean protein per day (if you go over your 2 pounds of Stage 2 weight, plan a steak day right away)
Even though you are done with your injections, this stage is 100% crucial to the success of the HCG diet. Why?
From the day you stop your last HCG injection, your body will be very sensitive to high-sugar or high-carbohydrate foods. It is critical that you follow this phase as faithfully as you did Stage 2.
During Stage 3, your hypothalamus will reset, rewiring your metabolism and erasing the effects of yo-yo dieting and poor eating habits. The weight you reach on the morning of your last injection is the weight that you should use as a basis for your maintenance phase. Many call this Last Injection Weight (LIW).
Here are some words from Dr. Simeons himself that illustrates this point:
“It takes about 3 weeks before the weight reached at the end of the treatment becomes stable, i.e. does not show violent fluctuations after an occasional excess. During this period patients must realize that the so-called carbohydrates (that is: sugar, rice, bread, potatoes, pastries), are by far the most dangerous.
If no carbohydrates whatsoever are eaten, fats can be indulged in… But as soon as fats and starch are combined things are very liable to get out of hand. This has to be observed very carefully during the first 3 weeks after the treatment is ended otherwise disappointments are almost sure to occur.”
Ready to try HCG for yourself and melt those extra pounds away? Here are some key reminders and tips to keep in mind:
Avoid using oil-based cosmetics or skincare products, as added oils can interfere with the hormones and derail your results
Always plan your meals ahead of time, and set yourself up for success. If you get hungry before lunch, “borrow” a fruit or vegetable from the other meals. As long as you stay under 500 calories, you will still be on target.
Take the maintenance phase seriously, as outlined above.
Why use medically-supervised weight loss instead of following the HCG plan myself?
After Stages 1 and 2 of the HCG Diet, it is important to make significant dietary and lifestyle changes to support your body and sustain the weight loss. With medical supervision, the HCG Diet also provides a safe and reliable means to treating obesity.
HCG diet programs that provide the best results offer a medically-supervised program that supports the patient before, during, and after weight loss. As with any weight loss program, it is not uncommon for patients to put pounds back on once they go back to eating the standard American diet.
One of our favorite things about the HCG Diet protocol is that our patients lose the majority of their weight from fat mass and not lean mass. However, the HCG Diet is not a “magic wand.” You cannot remove fat stores forever or simply reset the hypothalamus and go back to eating a normal diet. To achieve the best lifelong results and change, consider a medically-supervised plan with a doctor who is experiencing in helping patients gain long-term results.
New Year, new resolutions. What does that mean for most people? Well, the first resolution for the New Year is always usually to lose the weight gained over the holidays. This can be difficult, but we don’t have to do it alone. As we know, the New Year is approaching and we are looking to wipe the slates clean, finally conquering those resolutions that we never got to see all the way through before. Losing weight can be the most elusive goal of them all. We tend to forget this resolution midway through January, creating reasons and excuses why we didn’t follow through. Most of those reasons being too much work to exercise, lack of time, or dieting and slow results causing discouragement, etc. but we can change that!
The earlier the better. It is important to start thinking about getting rid of the pounds we have been hoping to lose for the past few years. We are still in the holiday season, it is a good time to start and with the help of Solutions Weight Loss you can achieved that goal. We know thinking about dieting is not priority since it is the season all the delightful and delicious foods are available to us. However having the proper head start on the resolution can make a big difference in accomplishing this goal. Solutions Weight Loss can help you succeed in finally following through with your resolutions by providing you with a product that makes it simple and manageable to lose weight. (more…)
Finding approved Atkins recipes online is easy, with thousands on the Atkins website alone. To help you stay on track, plan your week out in advance, or try meal prepping. Remember to avoid the following foods, and research replacements if you find yourself stuck:
Protein is the mainstay of the ketogenic diet and you can eat a variety. From dairy products like cheese, creams and yogurt to meats such as chicken, pork, beef, goat, lamb, seafood and turkey.
New Year, new resolutions. What does that mean for most people? Well, the first resolution for the New Year is always usually to lose the weight gained over the holidays. This can be difficult, but we don’t have to do it alone. As we know, the New Year is approaching and we are looking to wipe the slates clean, finally conquering those resolutions that we never got to see all the way through before. Losing weight can be the most elusive goal of them all. We tend to forget this resolution midway through January, creating reasons and excuses why we didn’t follow through. Most of those reasons being too much work to exercise, lack of time, or dieting and slow results causing discouragement, etc. but we can change that!
