Last year I had a number of clients who started stubbornly on the Atkins diet despite my warnings. Immediately I saw almost profound results in their weight loss. I reminded them it was the loss of water weight, and warned of the strain on the kidneys and the high cholesterol risk.
During this time I was mastering my yoga practice as a complete vegan but found that my immune system had been profoundly compromised and I was currently on my third cold for the fall season.
Atkins was in the media again because of new study results indicating lowered cholesterol. I went to the Atkins book yet again with a more open mind, and decided to try the diet. I liked the contrarian view point to the current AMA position of the low fat diet, which seemed to be producing a society of increasing obesity. Atkins view of sugar as the culprit making you fat, not fat, made sense and the extra work from all the protein for the kidneys? it's benign. I wanted to use his diet as a tool to get myself entirely off of any sugar.
I started out on the high protein, low carb aspect of the diet. As I reintroduced the animal proteins into my diet I could feel myself get stronger and the colds, finally stopped. I also saw my muscle bellies start to open and swell again. The cold of winter was not as painful as it had been while on my vegan diet.
I then summoned up the courage to start bringing fats into my diet, including bacon, egg yolks, cream cheese, heavy cream, whipped cream, even bacon rinds. On a daily basis I would marvel at having eaten these "forbidden foods" only to awaken the next day thin, svelte. I couldn't believe this, result! I was loving eating all these foods so familiar yet banished since ?childhood
I was in full swing eating the high fat, high protein, low carb diet at the time when the pictures on my website were taken. www.vitalsignsfitness.com I felt strong, but I had no energy!!! My walks on the beach were lethargic, I had to force myself to go that extra mile. I was thin but I felt like a beached whale. My love affair with Atkins continued a few more months. I followed his prescriptions religiously.
Eventually I had to add more carbs, I needed more energy. By carbs I mean vegetables, salads and whole grains. At this point I gained back the total of two pounds I had lost on Atkins. Body fat went from 16% to 18%, my energy was better. After 7 months I decided it was time to get the blood checked out and to my horror discovered that my cholesterol which had always been around 150 had rocketed up to 300!! Luckily my HDL to LDL ratio was still at a healthy level. Thanks to my forcing myself to exercise, I kept my HDLs high.
I immediately started drinking hot lemon juice with cayenne pepper every morning to clean my blood. I have now thrown away all the high fat foods and have once again, come back full circle to moderation and balance. A balanced diet. It takes a little more discipline but my energy is back and I can now eat the same meals as my husband so dinner preparation is simpler. My weight has not changed since I gradually introduced the carbs. I avoid at all costs the "white foods" flour, sugar, milk. I drink unsweetened soy milk I avoid foods in packages, boxes and bags. I feel a fine layer of fat but that's okay its winter, I need it, and in the summer, heat always melts it off. I am completely off sugar and alcohol to keep blood sugar low.
Log into www.vitalsignsfitness in the Chat page where a discussion has already begun re: Atkins and other diet plans, add your comments or just read and muse. Or go to the Nutrition Program page and find out how many calories (protein, carbs, fats) you should eat to sustain your current or ideal weight.
Deborah Caruana RN, AAHRFP, NASM, ACE, www.vitalsignsfitness.com email deb@vitalsignsfitness.com
DEBORAH is a highly respected authority in personal training for overall health and fitness, with more than 22 years of experience and success. Her credentials include...
Currently licensed Registered Nurse specializing in Rehabilitative Nursing Medical Exercise Therapist: certified by AAHFRP, an internationally recognized physical rehabilitation certification Maternity Specialist Pre & Post Natal certified by Maternal Fitness Personal Fitness Specialist: certified by NASM, an internationally recognized certification Yoga Teacher Professional Health Member, National Organization of Fitness Instructors (IDEA), a leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals Deborah Caruana RN, AAHRFP, NASM, ACE, http://www.vitalsignsfitness.com email http://www.vitalsignsfitness.com ...for all your fitness needs including personal training, books, vitamins and supplements, and information resource.
expert residential cleaners Park Ridge ..With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More
You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
There are a number of common food mistakes that costs... Read More
We all need fat in our diet on a daily... Read More
You really are what you eat. You are also very... Read More
Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the... Read More
Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More
You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
As a low carb dieter, your diet is undoubtedly high... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
I'm willing to bet you probably haven't heard the word... Read More
Water is the single most important element for human existence,... Read More
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds... Read More
PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!Did you know that 9... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
Eating healthy is fast becoming a way of life. American's... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large... Read More
The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More
Nutrition |