Phases

• There are four phases of the Atkins Diet: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Pre-Maintenance and Lifetime Maintenance, each with its own guidelines.
  
  

Induction

• The Induction phase has the strictest set of rules, dictating that carbohydrate intake be less than 20 grams per day for 2 weeks. Mostly lean meats and green leafy vegetables are eaten during this phase.
  
  

Ongoing Weight Loss

• Each week after Induction, daily carbohydrate intake is increased by 5 grams until dieters experience a week without weight loss. Five grams is then subtracted from that number to determine the daily carbohydrate intake for the Ongoing Weight Loss phase.
  
  

Pre-Maintenance Rules

• When the target weight is almost reached, daily carbohydrates are slowly increased until weight loss ceases. This number is your Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium.
  
  

Lifetime Maintenance Rules

• Continue eating at the Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium to maintain the desired weight.