Phase 4 of Atkins Diet: The Low Carb Lifestyle

Phase 4 of Atkins Diet: The Low Carb Lifestyle

You never thought you would do it, but you did. You reached your ideal weight and when you did you were bound and determined to never let those pounds creep back again. You owe it all to the guidance from the Atkins Low Carb Diet. The bells should be ringing and you should be rejoicing: You’re there! Whether you needed to lose 10 pounds or 50, the main thing is you did it.

You’ve Found Your Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium (ACE)

You’ve stuck to your personal Atkins regime. This is your ACE: Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium. You can now use your ACE as your guide for the amount of carbs you can eat each day.

Your ACE is the point where you don’t lose or gain any more weight. This number is dependent on a variety of factors, including age, activity level, fitness level, and more. Most people will find their ACE falls somewhere between 40-120 grams of Net Carbs per day; however, some people that have an extremely difficult time losing and maintaining weight, might find their range even higher. Remember, these are ranges.

This is a chart that compares your ACE Range to metabolic resistance. For example, if you’ve never had much weight to lose, your metabolic resistance is probably fairly low. If you’ve always had difficulty maintaining or losing weight, your metabolic resistance is most likely high.

If you’re ACE range is: 25-40 grams of Net Carbs per day

Your Metabolic Resistance is: Very High

This means: You are very resistant to losing weight.

If you’re ACE range is: 40-60 grams of Net Carbs per day

Your Metabolic Resistance is: High

This means: You are fairly resistant to losing weight

If you’re ACE range is: 60-90 grams of Net Carbs per day

Your Metabolic Resistance is: Average

This means: You are slightly resistant to losing weight

If you’re ACE range is: 90-120 grams of Net Carbs per day

Your Metabolic Resistance is: Low

This means: You are efficient at losing weight or partake in regular exercise

Tip: To increase your ACE range, raise your exercise/activity.

Life Commitment to Atkins Lifestyle

Your ACE will make eating low carbs a habit. This is a good habit, one you don’t ever want to kick. Instead you will continue to focus on eating fats and proteins to keep you satisfied and avoid the cravings to chow down on a box of cookies or a family sized bag of chips. You’re eating habits have changed and you know what foods you can turn to for snacking and what carbs to avoid. You can now complete your Atkins diet by adding:

Starchy Vegetables: ½ cup Acorn Squash or White Potatoes, ¾ cup Carrots or ½ cooked Yam

Legumes: ½ cup Black, Great Northern, Kidney, Lima, or Pinto Beans, Chickpeas or Lentils

Fruit Serving: ½ Apple or Grapefruit, 1 small Banana, ¼ cup Cherries, Grapes or Mango, 1 medium Guava,1 Kiwi, Peach or Plum or ½ cup Watermelon

Grains: ½ cup Oatmeal or ¼ cup Pasta (whole wheat) or Rice (brown)

Final Tips for Atkins Maintenance

Follow these Atkins tips and stay healthy:

Treat yourself, only occasionally

Avoid your bad carbs

Experiment with low carb recipes and create your own

Stay within 2-3 pounds of your ideal weight

Stick to your low carb diet at home or away

Explore with Low Carb Recipes

Now comes the time for you to really explore your new Atkins lifestyle and try out new recipes using all of the healthy ingredients that keep you on track with the Atkins Diet. Plenty of veggies, protein and fats create wonderful, flavourful meals and I can teach you the tips and tricks of low carb cooking to keep you satisfied. Enjoy wonderful fresh berries with my Breakfast Strawberry Shake or snack on seeds with my Flax Seed Chips and delicious Low Carb Creamy Garlic Dip. Keep visiting my site or sign up and receive new recipes as I discover more and more flavourful ways to enjoy this varied, healthy low carb diet.