Weight Loss

The Atkins diet has become increasingly popular in Britain as a weight loss method, it has not reached the level of use in America, but branded Atkins products to accompany the diet are now appearing in many shops.

This high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet was first developed in the States by Dr Robert Atkins, M.D. in the 1960′s. Dr Robert Atkins then re-launched the concept in the 1990′s by releasing his book called the ‘Dr Atkins Diet Revolution’.

What is the Atkins Diet?

The premise behind Atkins is that if you cut out or severely restrict the amount of carbohydrates in the diet, the body will then be encouraged to go into a metabolic state known as ketosis, which burns fat as fuel rather than carbohydrate.

A thought occurred to me as I was preparing this week’s entries — I have gone two weeks without snacking, for perhaps the first time in my life since I started solid foods. In the past, when I would endeavor to give up “sweets” during Lent, I would still allow myself a soft drink, or a pretzel, or some other comfort food between meals, and would generally revert to snacking on Sundays (considered days of feasting, not fasting).

I keep hoping that this feeling will pass, the constant gnawing that ebbs only for an hour or so after dinner. Other than that brief respite, I feel it constantly — upon rising, after breakfast, mid-morning, after lunch, throughout the afternoon, into the evening, and upon settling down to sleep. I find myself awaking in the early morning hours, ostensibly to visit the restroom, but really because my body and subconscious mind have partnered to save me from myself. To prevent me from starving.