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The skinny on calories...

What is it? I know you "aren't supposed to count calories" on Atkins. But common sense tells me that if I eat 6,000 calories a day, I am going to gain weight. What TARGET range should I be aiming for?

Thanks bunches!!

Laura

There are differences in opinions but I think that eating 10-12x your weight in the beginning will result in weight loss. As you get further along you'll need to adjust to 10-12x your goal weight to be successful.

I too was wondering the same question.
Thanks for the info.
This site is so helpful:)

I'm just repeating but...

This is right off the Atkins Center website:

Quote:

I'm used to counting calories. How many am I allowed on Induction?

The Atkins Nutritional ApproachTM counts grams of carbohydrates instead of calories. In Induction, you are allowed 20 grams of Net Carbs. When you progress to Ongoing Weight Loss, you gradually add carbohydrates in 5-gram increments as you move toward Pre-Maintenance, and finally to the Lifetime Maintenance phases of Atkins. Although you do not need to count calories, it is certainly possible to consume too many calories even if your carb intake is on target. If you are losing weight, there is no need to concern yourself with counting calories. However, if you are unable to lose weight or actually regain weight lost, one possibility is that you are taking in more calories than you expend through exercise, thermogenesis (the body's own heat production) and other metabolic functions.

Research has shown that on a controlled carbohydrate program, more calories are burned than on a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, so there is a certain metabolic advantage to the controlled carb approach. But understand that this does not give you a license to gorge.

If you are used to counting calories and are more comfortable with such an approach, the general rule of thumb is to multiply your present weight by 10 to 12 to get the daily caloric range at which you would lose weight. For example a 150-pound woman who consumes 1,500 to 1,800 calories daily should continue to lose weight.

The real goal of the Atkins program is to learn eating habits that will enable you to permanently maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. This includes changing old habits such as overeating that contributed to your original weight problem.

Hope that helps! :)

THis is interesting. Going by the 10 12 rule, I would need to eat almost 1800 calories a day and still lose weight. I cant eat that much!! I am staying around 1300-1400. Does that mean I will lose quicker or will my body go into starvation mode?? I am staying full and have plenty of energy. What do you think??
Donnie

Hey Donnie... I say don't worry about it. If you feel good and it's working for you, don't mess with it. If it ain't broke... :)

Hi,
If your weight loss slows down try adding an ounce or two of cheese or a handful of walnuts. Both add calories without being so filling that you can't get them choked down on a day when you fill very full. Teens

OK, now I'm confused. I've been aiming for 10x my GOAL weight, not my current weight, and my loss has been very slow (slug-slow). I've been trying to eat 1800 - 2000 calories per day, usually I barely make it to 1800. Eating 10x my current weight would mean I need to eat 2800 calories? OMG! There's no way I could do it except to maybe stand in front of the frig guzzling cream (does not sound appetizing at all). Any advice?

Thanks, Athena

Same here Donnie..... According to this theory I should be eating approx 2000 calories per day. No way could I lose weight eating that much!

I generally eat around 1300-1500 calories except on occasion if we eat out or I have some extra high fat treats (e.g. sf cheesecake).

I hope I am not going into starvation mode either....but just in case once in a while it is good to add extra calories to mix things up a bit!

Froufie

Keep in mind these are AVERAGES! Tell me a rule that works for everyone! However, NOT eating won't work. I imagine there are some rough boundaries to start with - like mentioned, but then for many it will have to be adjusted a little one way or the other.
After that - try it - maybe it does work - after all, we thought low carb was bad, right? :)
Traci

I'm glad to hear that cause my current weight is 399 and I would have to eat upwards of 400 calories a day!!!