It wasn’t all that long ago that the Atkins Diet was making the news. People were excited about the idea of being able to eat all the meat they wanted and still lose a lot of weight. The interest in the diet was staggering, and enough people saw impressive results to keep the diet at the forefront for quite some time. It seemed to be more than just a regular fad diet. However, it didn’t take long for people to start questioning the potential bad effects of the Atkins Diet.

Well, the Atkins Diet is still around. It may not get nearly as much attention as it used to, but there are plenty of people who start the program on a daily basis. This is a mark in its favor as it shows it is more than just a fad diet. In fact, a lot of other diets have come and gone since Atkins made its initial splash. But what about the supposed bad effects of the Atkins diet?

Let’s clear one thing up right away: there is no consensus in the medical community as to the long term effects–good or bad–of the Atkins program. They are still worthy of debate and further research, and you should at least be aware of them before deciding to try the Atkins Diet.

On the one side, you have people who have lost a lot of weight on the diet. They are happy with how much weight they have lost, and how quickly (a loss of 5 to 10 pounds in the first week is not unheard of). They also enjoy being able to eat high protein foods, regardless of how much fat they contain. This means eating things like steak, bacon, fish, pork, chicken, beef and eggs. As long as people on the Atkins Diet take supplements and exercise while on the program, they continue to lose weight. One thing is for sure, it’s hard to argue with results.

Results are one thing, and how those results are achieved is another. Critics state that one of the bad effects of the Atkins Diet is that the weight loss comes from not only a loss of fat, but also a loss of water and muscle. So, while they’re not necessarily questioning whether or not people are losing weight, they are asking if the type of weight loss is good or not. There is also evidence that any diet that is high in saturated fat can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. If this is the case, then you need to decide if the higher risk of getting heart disease is better than risk of developing other diseases associated with obesity. Or, to put it another way, the more overweight you are, the more you may want to try the Atkins Diet.

As of now, there is no final word as to all of the effects of the Atkins Diet. The best advice is to talk to your personal doctor so you can discuss your options and see if Atkins is a good choice for you.

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You may be wondering how you are going to lose your belly fat. One of the surest ways to have a smaller belly is to diet and exercise. That’s right good old fashion hard work. And consistency is the key.

Think about it, if you want to direct your daily life and your life in the future, you must take control of your consistent actions. It’s what we do consistently that shapes our lives. Have you ever heard that saying “Daily decisions determine destiny”? It’s so true.

Have you dieted more times than you care to count? Or spent a fortune on exercise equipment, only to let it collect dust. If so, you are not alone. Familiar with yo-yo dieting or are you convinced there is a quick fix? No, unfortunately not.

Making daily healthy lifestyle changes is key. It is better to lose weight slowly. Or start exercise regimens you can build upon rather than putting yourself through major deprivation that you know you want be able to sustain for a lifetime.

To lose belly fat or any fat cut back on calories and fat grams. Calorie intake needs to be less than calories burned. It is very easy to over eat. Most people are unaware of what a true serving size is. Be sure to look at the nutritional labels. And keep a food diary.

One way to cut back on calories is to cut out sodas. Can’t live without soda? Try to switch to diet soda at least. But plain fact is your body needs water. Drink at least 64 oz of water a day. Your body needs this for hydration and to flush out toxins.

Not a morning person? Find it hard to make yourself eat breakfast? A cup of coffee will do? It is a fact that those who start their day with a low fat high protein breakfast, their metabolism burns faster. That’s what you want, a faster metabolism.

Help your body work for you. Give it the right fuel it needs. And that is low fat, high protein foods. Your body will thank you. It is true that high protein foods create more of a sense of satiety than other foods.

Let’s not forget the exercise. Are you really out of shape at this point? Not quite sure how you are going to be able to start an exercise regimen, much less stick to it? Well, you got to start somewhere. Get moving, even if it is 10 minutes here or there. It is a start.

Walking is always a safe way to get started. Going to buy groceries? Park at the end of the lot instead of circling around and around trying to find a spot close to the front. Those extra steps are a starter. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Climbing stairs is an excellent cardio workout.

Once you get a good cardio workout established. Try adding some weight lifting to your regimen. This will help you tighten up. Whereas the cardio will help raise your metabolism and burn fat.

This whole process is a journey, its a long winding road that can go all the way to the top. That way when you look down at where you came from; you can sit back and smile

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Gastric bypass surgery is among the most popular bariatric surgery, with the number of those who are choosing to undergo the procedure doubling since 2001 to 2003. The American Society of Bariatric Surgery, estimates the number to be 140,000 annually. This procedure is primarily done to resolve issues of morbid obesity and the diseases associated with it.

In gastric bypass surgery, a small pouch is created in the stomach. This small pouch is stapled and the small intestines upper portion is also attached to this small pouch. The middle section of the small intestine is attached to the rest of the stomach. Food will bypass the rest of the stomach and the rest of the small intestine. Te stomach will be in smaller size which would make it full faster. Less calories will be absorbed.

This procedure would require diet change. Since the digestive system is altered or shortened, every food intake would be valuable. Some common side effects brought by the surgery is nutritional deficiency like anemia and osteoporosis. This is why it is important for patients to follow a different diet and take mineral and vitamin supplements.

The special gastric bypass diet would make sure that weight loss will be maintained over time. It would normally involve high protein food. Foods high in protein would ensure that new tissues are being built and the wounds are healing properly. Ideal high protein foods will be low in fat like red meat, chicken or turkey without skin, fish, eggs and cottage cheese.

Sugar and fat is among the foods that are avoided. Gastric bypass diet would involve food low in sugar and fat. Sugary foods are high in calories and fat. Fat is difficult to digest. Consuming too much sugar could also result to the Dumping syndrome that has nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sweating, and diarrhea as symptoms. The body could also react the same way to too much fat. Foods with too much fat and sugar, anyway, do not have sufficient nutrients that would be essential to the body.

Foods high in fiber are also limited in gastric bypass diet. Fibers could block the stomach, small intestine and would require more gastric acid to digest it. A doctors approval is needed before ingesting any laxative or fiber pills.

This change is not done immediately. There are stages in a gastric bypass diet. Clear liquids would be the first stage. For the first two days, clear liquids like water, sugar-free juice, clear broth and no fizz soda are consumed in small amounts. Within the first two weeks, low-fat, high protein liquids are ingested. It is important to also take chewable multivitamins during this stage.

Doctors would determine when would be the suitable time for the patient to progress to soft or puree diet. Some would be able to eat after two weeks, while others would have to wait longer than that. Some people who are in this stage would sometimes resort to eating strained baby foods. While others would prefer eating soft foods like scrambled eggs, low-fat cheese, blenderized lean meats, etc.

Two months after the surgery, the patient could now start eating regular diet, starting with high-protein food. Food consumed should be in small amounts. Remember that the stomach is reduced in size. After the gastric bypass, the stomach could accommodate about an ounce of food. Eventually, it could stretch and hold about 4 to 8 ounces or a cup to half a cup of food.

One thing that people should be conscious of would be overeating. Gastric bypass surgery can make the stomach smaller, however this does not affect the overall attitude to eating. People could result to overeating because of genetics or emotions. Lifestyle change is important. Overeating could cause regaining the lost weight, expansion of the pouch, and in worst cases rupture of the stomach.

There are many support groups, education, and counselling available to help deal patients with these difficulties.

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