How to Stick to the Atkins Diet
Starting any diet is easy. The difficulty comes with trying to stick to a diet. It can be especially hard to stick to the Atkins diet, with the many restrictions, but it is possible. There are certain tricks and techniques that can make it easier to stay on track. Understanding those tips can help you immensely.
Tips For You
- Make sure the Atkins diet is right for you. Not everyone is cut out for a low carbohydrate lifestyle. Some people are urged not to indulge in such a lifestyle due to health issues. Check with your doctor to make sure the Atkins diet is right for you. Also make sure you are ready to commit to a diet. You are setting yourself up for failure if your mind is not ready for the commitment.
- Educate yourself about the Atkins diet. Read up on what foods are allowed and what foods aren't. You can't stick to a diet when you don't know the rules. Make sure you are thoroughly familiar with how the Atkins diet works.
- Stock your house with the types of foods required for the Atkins diet. You may need to have non-diet items in the house if you do not live alone, but try to keep those items in a place you wouldn't normally look if possible. Chop up raw vegetables and put them in the refrigerator for easy access when you are ready for a snack.
- Plan meals ahead of time. It is much easier to stray from a diet if you are in a hurry and don't know what to cook. Make a weekly menu and stick to it. Make sure you have the items you need. If you are a very busy person, consider preparing meals for the entire week on one day and then freeze them. That way all you have to do is come in from a busy day at the office and slide your entree into the oven. If you can't freeze meals or do not want to, at least have the chopping and dicing done ahead of time. The less you have to think about what to cook when you get home, the less of a chance to slip off the diet plan.
- Plan weekly exercise activities. Exercising can take your mind off the goodies that you want but can't have. Since exercise is an important part of any diet plan, incorporating it into your week serves a dual purpose.
- Treat yourself to something special as a reward for sticking to the Atkins diet. Your reward should not be food, but rather an activity that you enjoy or something you can purchase. Perhaps a new purse, article of clothing or a new tool or electronics device if you are a man.
