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The Atkins Nutritional Approach (ANA)-the preferred name for the eating plan in the title-is a wonder of modern science. Dr. Robert C. Atkins, the founder and chief cheerleader for the ANA, demonstrated again and again in his own medical practice that people could change their eating habits and improve their lives through adherence to this plan. Many have, and they are the living legacy for Dr. Atkins, who died following a slip-and-fall accident on an icy sidewalk outside his New York office.

If there is a fly in this ointment, it is the natural proclivity of some folks-I'm one of them-to eat what feels good whenever it shows up within reach. This sometimes overwhelming desire can take hold at any time of the day or night, and it's particularly difficult to fight off when you're in the middle of a party or dinner hosted by someone else. Human nature can be controlled to some extent, but those of you who are like me know how much effort it takes.

There is hope! Even in the face of only moderate success with the ANA, I have discovered that I can modify both the plan and my behavior if I do it on a daily basis. I do much of my own cooking, and I can choose to buy for my home cooking only those things that I can shoehorn into Dr. Atkins' plan. It's not a perfect solution, but to my doctor's surprise it's working. It's working very slowly, but we will get there.

What about other temptations? If you're out driving around, what's going to stop your going into a convenience store and filling up with junk? Truthfully, that's going to depend on your funding and how long you intended to wait to arrive at your destination. It's best not to stop at all, but if you do it's a good idea to buy a bottle of water (environmental concerns aside) and stop there. Don't walk through the candy aisle on the way to checkout, either!

Do they offer you donuts every day at work? This is a hard one; the donuts are juicy and chewy and chocolatey and - and just forget it, because this is not where you want to fall down on the job. Think about how good it will feel to lose five pounds this month while your co-workers are still fighting with their waistlines. Believe me, the goodies at the office can be denied, no matter how gloriously decadent they may be.

If you're an inveterate couch potato, ANA has an answer: port rinds! You don't like crispy pig skins? You can keep veggies around so there's something to occupy your mouth while the TV is allegedly occupying your mind. Try it; it won't always work, but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. You might even improve your eyes and your mind with these snacks!

Dr. Atkins intended to help people to change their physical health when he worked out the details of the Atkins Nutritional Approach. He had many years to test his nutritional theories and to demonstrate to the toughest critics that they actually work. I'm living proof that they can work even with the hardest subjects. If I can lose weight and gain health this way, almost anyone should be able to succeed with Atkins. Easy? No, but worth all the work.

Good hunting!

Learn more about this author, Jon Dainty Sr..
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