question on calories

[KrispieK56]

hellooo everyone,
My name is Kristin I am 21 years old. I have just started the induction phase of Atkins (3 days ago) weighing in at 195 pounds. Now, I hear all this hype about being able to eat "unlimited calories" on this plan and still lose weight quickly. To me, this just doesn't make sense. I dont want to eat tons of calories, but I dont want to coulnt calories either. Has anyone on here had any success without counting calories? and has anyone ever eaten extreme amounts of calories and still lost the weight??? Just curious to know if this is actually possible. I know it's not healthy and I don't plan on bingeing on carb free foods, but it would help me out a lot to hear stories!

[julirama723]

Re: question on calories

Atkins is not about unlimited calories--calories still matter. True, Atkins does have a slight "metabolic advantage" of about 200 calories (the body has to work harder to burn fat for fuel, and this process burns about 200 extra calories a day), but if you take in more calories than you expend, you WILL gain weight. You CAN gain weight on induction, you CAN gain weight in ketosis.

The important thing about Atkins is that you are supposed to eat when hungry, and stop when satisfied. It's about listening to your body. I often have RAVENOUSLY hungry days, after huge workouts. I will be hungry all day, and each time I feel hungry, I eat. I have days where I eat 2400+ calories, and days were I eat 1700 calories. It's all about responding to your body's needs.

The concern with those on induction is that they might not be eating ENOUGH calories. Eating too few calories can put your body into starvation mode, so a general rule is to eat at least 1200 calories a day, and eat every 6 waking hours. Even a small piece of cheese or a few slices of pepperoni will do the trick--it's important to keep the metabolism fired up and working.

So, cutting out unhealthy carbs is not a license to gorge. Cutting out the bad carbs just allows many people to feel REAL hunger, rather than feeling sugar addiction rearing its head. As long as you eat when hungry (there's no reason to starve!), eat acceptable foods, and be sure to eat every 6 waking hours, your body will tell you what it needs.

[Elizellen]

Re: question on calories

I never counted calories at all, and still dont!!

Eat till no longer hungry of foods that are 'legal' for the phase of Atkins you are on and you will do fine and wont feel the need to eat 'extreme' calories to satisfy your hunger.

[higgies]

Re: question on calories

The natural effect of ketosis will reduce your appetite as well, so as Julirama said, it can be a concern to not eat enough calories. If you eat the right kinds of foods, focus on your carb levels, the calories tend to take care of themselves. That's why there is so little focus on them particularly during induction. Good luck!

[How Riveting]

Re: question on calories

Trust me, you will get your eating under control on Atkins and so you will not have to count calories. Whenever I enter what I ate in Fitday, I generally come in at around 1500 calories. That's just a normal day eating for me on Atkins.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: question on calories

I've never counted calories and haven't had to, but I did Induction by the book, especially the rule of eating to SATISFIED and not stuffed. I got over cravings and the hunger suppression really kicked in. Understanding that this is a high fat, moderate protein way of eating makes the 'diet' work well, because fat is filling and stays with you, so you consume less naturally. I've lost over 100 pounds by following Dr. Atkins' advice closely and love this way of eating.

Sunny!