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The Atkins Diet is a weight loss system that uses four phases of low-carbohydrate meals to cause weight loss.
The Atkins Diet is a weight loss system that uses four phases of low-carbohydrate meals to cause weight loss. This weight loss program can be used by most people who are overweight but who are otherwise healthy. Each of the four phases of the Atkins Diet is designed to work together to form a complete weight loss system that will take off the extra weight and to keep it off long term.
Step 1:

Begin phase one: induction.

This first phase of the Atkins Diet is designed to kick-start the weight loss process and get your body used to eating fewer carbohydrates. Phase one lasts two weeks and allows for up to 20 net carbohydrates each day. Net carbohydrates are the final total of carbohydrates consumed each day after the number of grams of fiber and sugar alcohol have been subtracted from the total. The best foods to eat during the induction period are eggs, lean meats, fish and other foods that are high in protein and relatively low in fat. There is no need to count fat grams with this weight loss system. Foods with healthy fats such as nuts and olive oil are actually encouraged because they promote a feeling of fullness while offering the right type of fats.

Step 2:

Start phase two: ongoing weight loss.

This phase in the weight loss program begins on day 15 of the Atkins Diet. In this phase of the weight loss plan, dieters start putting a wider variety of foods back into the diet and monitor their weight and carbohydrate intake carefully to determine how many carbs can be eaten without gaining weight. As long as weight loss is still occurring, carbs may be added slowly to the diet. If weight loss stalls, the number of carbs needs to be lowered. Phase two of the Atkins Diet continues until you are 10 pounds away from your goal weight.

Step 3:

Continue to phase three: pre-maintenance.

This phase of the Atkins weight loss program is simply fine tuning the level of carbs that leads to continued weight loss. This phase may offer slower weight loss than the first two phases, because there are fewer pounds to lose and more carbs are being consumed. This phase continues until you reach your goal weight.

Step 4:

Enter phase four: lifetime maintenance.

This final phase of the weight loss system is designed to keep you within five pounds of your goal weight for the rest of your life. This uses the fine-tuned diet that was discovered in phase three to keep you from gaining back any weight. A small number of carbs may be added to the diet in order to keep from losing weight if weight loss is continuing. The goal is to stay at the goal weight without gaining or losing. Because weight does fluctuate slightly under any circumstances, the goal is to stay as close to the goal weight as possible with weight varying by five pounds or less.


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