Why you Lose Weight Fast on the Atkins Diet
There is very little doubt in the minds of most that adhering to the Atkins diet will help you to successfully lose weight. There are so many motivational stories today of folks who have reached their weight loss goals by following the high-protein, low-carb diet that Dr. Atkins created and recommends. Most of us know at least one or two people personally who have benefited from this diet program. In fact, their success may inspire us to want to try this amazing diet program for ourselves. But why do so many people seem to lose weight fast on the Atkins diet? This is a question that you might want to explore before you embark on this diet journey for yourself. The answer may help you to determine whether this diet program is indeed the best choice for you in meeting your weight loss goals.
What is Ketosis?
If you have followed the Atkins diet program for any period of time, you may be familiar with the term, "ketosis." Ketosis is known as the fat burning process by Atkins advocates everywhere and is the credited reason why so many lose weight fast on the Atkins diet. The theory says that if there are no carbohydrates in the body to burn, another fuel source must be found. This source is the body's stored fat, which is broken down into fatty acid molecules called ketones. These ketones are then eliminated from the body, usually through the urine or your breath. The downside to ketosis is that you might have to battle bad breath for a period of time, but this can usually be remedied by adding certain foods to your diet. Other side effects of ketosis can include light-headedness, nausea and fatigue, but many find these symptoms are well worth the ability to lose weight fast on the Atkins diet.
Other Reasons for Weight Loss
There are other theories as to why so many people lose weight fast on the Atkins diet. One possibility is that the restriction of food choices leads to a much lower caloric intake. While this possibility has some merit, many Atkins advocates believe that there are ample selections available on the Atkins menu. Another suggestion has been that the initial weight is due to water loss from the body, since carbohydrate restriction causes the body to burn glycogen. Glycogen contains a large amount of water. It may also be that the foods that are high in fat make you feel full longer, so your appetite is not as large. Whatever the reason for the loss, those who have lost weight fast on the Atkins diet are pleased with the results and support the diet program.
