The reason why Atkins Diet works is because your body metabolizes its stored fat (carbohydrates) in order to burn --- digest --- protein, fiber and fat you are eating. The Atkins Dieters tend to leave out several food groups, including fruit and vegetables, since they are “high carb food”, and then tend to grab a steak instead, which has very low carbohydrates.

This is ridiculous. Why? Because elimination of carbohydrates and reduction of fresh fruits and vegetables actually throws your health into a major imbalance. Overloading your unbalanced diet by an excess of protein intake (adding that steak, above) to “increase volume” to a satisfying level merely exacerbates this imbalance.

The true danger of Atkins Diet, however, lies in fact that, for people who already have health challenges, Atkins Diet actually worsens some conditions and creates other health challenges that did not exist before Atkins Diet. The worst of these is Gout. If you have a tendency to suffer gout, no matter how well controlled you have it, a strict Atkins Diet will create a severe gout condition and gout attack for you. If you merely had tendency for gout with no active gout, Atkins Diet will precipitate an actual condition of gout in your body. A severe case of gout requires medical intervention to correct as well as long-term dietary control and change. The long-term danger of gout is an increased tendency for heart attack and stroke. See Native’s Gift for one proven help for gout.

If your body type and chemical makeup is suitable for Atkins Diet then by all means use it. Remember that there are several similar alternatives out there which may be more suitable than a strict Atkins, to include some of Dr. Atkins own later work and recommendations. If you have health challenges, to include a tendency for gout or actually suffer from gout, or have diabetes or any of several other disorders, Atkins diet is definitely something you need to avoid.

And not just Atkins Diet. Any and all diets which highly restrict or eliminate one of essential food groups we all need to maintain optimal health is equally bad. Stop insanity and use a REAL diet --- only proven diet which will work for virtually everyone.

What is it? Its actually two things: A food diet and exercise – yes, simple exercise, like walking a mile a day. A completely balanced, restricted calorie, diet containing a little bit of everything. Eat three meals a day, get your sweets, carbs, veggies, fruits, juices, protein and keep it to 1200 calories a day. Eat your breakfast and go out and walk dog – if you don’t have one, take your neighbor’s. Give this diet a year of your life, weigh yourself every Monday and keep track of your weight, see where you are with it…..and make change for rest of your life. When you get to your target weight you may increase diet to 1600 calories a day.

On personal level we can do a lot to reduce stress. There is also stress that cannot be totally reduced. Then we need to learn how to manage it. But watch out, because your boss might prefer that you manage when you could reduce! It has become a virtue to manage stress in our modern society. Don't try to be perfect employee, perfect partner or perfect parent. When you can reduce, don't manage. Start with reducing unnecessary stress, then learn to manage necessary in a way that is good for your general health.

Ingela Berger started her own Internet business Lifestyle Plans in 2003 to inspire others to make reality of their dreams of a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Ingela has studied theatre directing, history of art, and leadership psychology. After some years working with art exhibitions and the theatre she is now back at school to become a health and lifestyle consultant.