Atkins Support Group

Join

Day 1- Could use some help on figuring out minimum calories

rltmom
rltmom Posts: 8
in Social Groups
Hi Everyone- I am 47. I live in Michigan with my DH and 2 boys. I have 80 lbs to lose. I just started Atkins - today was Day One of Induction. Before starting, I just finished my "pre-diet"- for the past two weeks I did a low carb diet (under 50g), completely cut out grains, starchy veggies and refined sugar, but kept all fruits and non-starchy veggies. Came in around 1500 calories a day. Learned A LOT. The problem is, although I feel better, I did not lose an ounce. Nada, No inches-nothing. That's okay, I can adjust. The point was to get ready for Atkins, Here is my problem. I am at the end of day one of Atkins. I am stuffed. I ate just under 20 net carbs, protein at every meal, all the veggies, did not limit my healthy fats, and I am still under 1100 calories for the day (even with adding a Atkins advantage bar I really didn't want). I know we are not suppose to count calories, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot either by eating too few calories. How important is it to eat 1500-1800 calories a day? Thanks!

Replies

  • lvnspoonful
    lvnspoonful Posts: 391 Member
    I would be interested in knowing this too - I am re-starting Induction Day 1 today bc I fell off track.....
  • Pelly57
    Pelly57 Posts: 169 Member
    This is what I did.

    Net calories: 1500
    Carbs: 5%-19g
    Protein: 40% 150g
    Fat: 55%-92g

    Now, I don't always make all the numbers. MFP just isn't designed for Atkins. I do strive to keep the carbs under 20 (actual carbs, not net carbs) and my nutritionist wants my protein to be no lower than 75g, I try to shoot for at least 100g. I also try to keep the calories about 1200.

    I think that as long as you are eating your healthy carbs, proteins and fats, the diet will still work. Calorie deficit is still calorie deficit.
  • rltmom
    rltmom Posts: 8
    Thanks! I manually changed the nutrition goals for Atkins in MFP goals. I track net carbs by adding fiber tracking. It shows up right next to carbs and I net them out myself. Feel free to friend me, I have my food diary open (at least for now) and you can see how I do it. Hopefully, this is helpful. Have a great day! :happy:
  • angiepower
    angiepower Posts: 5 Member
    I've just done my first week of induction and have lost 8lb my calories equal out to roughly 1600 a day, carbs come in at 20 per day hope that helps....I do measure and weigh things like cheese and cream as I think it's easy to go over on them type of things.

    Hope that helps
  • rltmom
    rltmom Posts: 8
    Thanks Angie! I have increased my calories and will have to see how it goes. Day six for me -I have no net loss yet- I gained 4 lbs the first few days and and basically back where I started now. Hopefully, I will get the balance right.
  • Ash2712
    Ash2712 Posts: 19 Member
    I keep under 1300 calories, but I have to admit some days I find that I stay lower because I am so full I do not want anything else, I also have days were my energy is low and I bump it up a little to help. You will figure out what works best for you. My mother in law didn't watch the calories at all when she was in the first 2 stages and she still lost 60 pounds! But she figured out what she needed and when she did, everyone is going to be a little different. Good luck
  • Dian_MT
    Dian_MT Posts: 4 Member
    I could be wrong.but if you go to your settings and goals,and fill out all your info.carbs ect. And activity level it will give you a good idae of your calories. Bmi or bri .somthing like that .ll.not everyone is the same.
  • emstethem
    emstethem Posts: 263 Member
    Bump
  • kassandracat
    kassandracat Posts: 30 Member
    I read on the Atkins website the minimum for women should be about 1500 the max for us is usually about 1800. I usually eat about 1300-1700, sometimes around 1200 & have been consistently losing weight :) I am also "4'11" so I thougt 1500 was a bit much for me, but Atkins is the only diet plan I have ever used that allows me that many cals a day.
  • sallyaj
    sallyaj Posts: 207 Member
    I'm doing the 1972 version of Atkins, so I don't even count calories -- though it would be interesting as a point of comparison with other types of eating plans.

    '72 induction counts only carbs -- "net" wasn't invented yet.

    Thing is, I tried the newer version of Atkins using "net" and I didn't lose substantial amount of weight. Not like 10 years ago when I lost 20 lbs on the 1972 version (found the book at a yard sale).

    So I am back to the 1972 version. I started saturday and I'm down 5.6 lbs. After day three with zero carbs hunger goes completely away, you have no cravings whatsoever, and you almost have to make yourself eat.

Categories