Cheryl Lynn Wolf | Atkins (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to lose 50 lbs on Atkins? ›

Usually people on diets say, “I can't have this or that”, but with Atkins I can eat anywhere. I can go and eat great food at a restaurant—a protein and green vegetable is all I need! In three months on Atkins, I lost 50 pounds.

Atkins even explains in his book "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" that you are more likely to lose about 10 to 14 lbs. during the first month on the diet. Of course, the amount of weight you lose depends on many factors.

Atkins and keto are both low carb diets that may benefit weight loss, diabetes management, and heart health. Their main difference is that you gradually increase your carb intake on Atkins, while it remains very low on the keto diet, allowing your body to stay in ketosis and burn ketones for energy.

Phase 1 (induction): Under 20 grams (g) of carbs per day for 2 weeks. Eat high-fat, high-protein, with low carb vegetables like leafy greens. This kick-starts the weight loss. Phase 2 (balancing): Slowly add more nuts, low-carb vegetables, and small amounts of fruit back to your diet.

With Atkins, you're eliminating the refined grains that a wreak havoc with your waistline and blood sugar levels. Whole grains are rich in fiber. Depending on your personal carb tolerance, you can enjoy steel-cut oats (instead of rolled oats), and try small amounts of hearty grains like quinoa, faro and barley.

The evidence is clear: hands down, the best way to burn body fat is to switch to a fat-burning metabolism by controlling your carb intake. The best way to whittle your waist is to combine the Atkins Diet and regular exercise, which will enable you to achieve a healthy weight, reduce fat and build muscle.

Just be sure to have at least one “cheat night” per week and to wait at least four full days between them. (For example, if you have carbs on Friday, your next carb indulgence should be no sooner than Wednesday.) While using this approach, drink water and any zero-cal beverages you like.

While it's a good idea to exercise for other reasons, on Atkins you can still lose weight without exercise. It's easy to stick with Atkins. This is a delicious and satisfying way of eating you can live with. As you approach your weight loss goals, you'll add plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

On Atkins, you may also be able to eat smaller portions of starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and potatoes, squash and corn and whole grains such as quinoa, barley, brown rice and whole-wheat bread and pasta.

How many carbs a day to lose weight? ›

Losing weight requires you to burn more calories than you consume. Experts say you should aim to burn 500 calories more than what you eat each day. As far as how many carbohydrates to eat, Pratt says 100 to 150 grams of carbohydrates is safe for most people who are trying to lose weight.

The Atkins diet aims to help a person lose weight by limiting carbohydrates and controlling insulin levels. Dieters can eat as much fat and protein as they want.

That's why the Induction phase of Atkins now recommends generous amounts of salad and other vegetables: 12–15 grams of net carbs, to be specific.

Fiber and nutrient-rich vegetables: asparagus, broccoli, celery, cucumber, salad greens, avocado, green beans, bell peppers, etc. Meats: lamb, beef, pork, chicken and turkey. Lower sugar fruits: melon, berries, cherries, apples, grapefruits and oranges.

Simply put, when you follow a no-carb diet, you avoid all high carb foods. Specifically, try to eliminate whole and refined grains, baked goods, fruits, milk, yogurt, beans, legumes, pasta, bread, sugar-sweetened beverages, and starchy vegetables like peas and corn.

The expert-recommended and well-known rule-of-thumb is that losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is a normal and healthy rate of weight loss. If you were wondering how long it would take to lose 50 pounds, then using this guideline it will probably take you between 6 months and a year to accomplish.

Assuming a weight loss rate of 1-2 pounds per week, it would take approximately 25-50 weeks, or 6-12 months, to lose 50 pounds on a ketogenic diet.

If you add resistance training to Atkins, you might be accumulating muscle while losing body fat, which is great—but it could translate into a slower weight loss according to the scale, even as your clothes begin to fit better and you begin to reshape your body.

Fortunately, Atkins is naturally low in carbs that convert to sugar. And when carbs are low enough, your body is burning fat for fuel, which is what you want to burn when you have fat storage (especially around the belly).