The Program: Phase 1

Objectives of Induction

As the name implies, Induction is your initiation into the Atkins Diet weight loss program. All too often, people confuse this first phase of the program with the whole Atkins Diet, but Induction is only the first of four progressively liberal phases. The two main objectives of Induction are:

1. To switch your body from burning primarily carbohydrates (in the form of glucose) to burning primarily fat (including your body fat) for energy
2. To jump-start weight loss

To encourage your body to burn fat, you’ll initially consume only 20 grams of Net Carbs per day. The carb foods you’ll eat in this phase are primarily vegetables low in carbs but rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients, including fiber. For specifics on how to do Induction, see How to Do Induction Right.

It’s not essential to start Atkins in the Induction phase, but doing so is the fastest way to blast through the barrier that blocks your fat stores, enabling you to transform your cells into an army of fat-burning soldiers. You’ll stay in this phase for at least two weeks, unless you have very few pounds to shed and they come off very quickly, in which case you can move sooner to Phase 2, Ongoing Weight Loss.