The Dreaded Atkins Diet!!!

Question
Hi George!  I actually have a question about diets in general... particular the Atkins diet.  You see, I'm a 15 year old female (5'2", 110 lbs), and I'm looking to shed a few pounds before bikini season.  I used to be considerably heavier than I am now (130+ pounds, which is a lot for someone only 5'2").  I haven't grown in height for almost 4 years now (everyone in my family is tiny as well), but I've expanded sideways once again.  LOL  It's becoming a real issue because to find pants that fit me in the hips, I'd have to buy around a size 6 or 8, yet size 0's and 2's fit me everywhere else.  I went on the Atkins to originally lose the weight and I was about 100 pounds.  I looked better than I ever have, but because that diet is so restricting I ended up binging out on all the high-carb food I could find and slowly gained the weight back.  Since then, for about 3 months, I've been on it for a week, off for 2 days, on for another week, off again, etc., etc.  It's a viscious cycle!  Anyway, where I was hoping that you could help me is in giving me some tips on how to stick with a diet without going crazy and eating every sugary food in sight after sticking with it for a week.  Last time, I did it because I had motivation (being overweight).  Now that I'm just doing it for vanity reasons and only want to lose a few pounds, I tell myself "It's okay, I'm not that big... I'll start tomorrow," and have the cake... or fruit... or pasta that I'm craving at that second.

Thanks so much!

Answer
Hello Brittany!

    Thank you for your nutrition question.  I am glad that you are no longer on the Atkins diet because it can be very dangerous to your health.  I would recommend that you visit www.mypyramid.gov where you can create an eating plan tailored to your calorie needs.  All you do is enter your age, gender, and activity level and it will give you a healthy menu plan.  You can also track your progress using the tracking program on the site as well.  Remember to get 30 minutes of wxercise into your routine also.  In order to lose weight you must burn more calories then you are taking in.  Losing weight requires lifestyle changes more then anything.  Just making a few changes can make a big difference over a period of time.  Let me know how you do and if you have more questions.

For more answers to your nutrition questions check out "Ask the Nutritionists" by George Rapitis at www.authorhouse.com

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com

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