The longer you consume no more than 20 grams of carbs daily, the more body fat you will burn. We recommend staying in this phase no later than when you are 15 pounds from your goal weight.
Depending on how much weight you need to lose, you can safely continue with Phase 1 as long as the following three conditions are met:
Your blood chemistry, lipid values, blood pressure or blood sugar levels continue to improve or remain stable and within normal limits. (You will have to visit your doctor to have these levels tested.)
You feel well and are experiencing a high energy level, normal sleep patterns and stable moods.
You are not bored. Boredom could lead to cheating and undermine your efforts.
However, it is important to understand the entire Atkins Nutritional Approach. The ultimate goal of the program is to advance from the Phase 1/through Phase 2 and Phase 3, culminating in Phase 4 or Lifetime Maintenance, which should become your permanent way of eating. By following these steps, you can find your own personal carbohydrate balance that maintains your new weight and prevents weight gain. Moving from one phase to another will help you maintain a healthful weight, feel good and decrease your risk factors for chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
That being said, if you have a great deal of weight to lose, you can certainly stay on Induction for six months or even longer. When you switch to Phase 2, your rate of loss will naturally diminish. On the other hand, if you have a modest weight loss goal, say 20-30 pounds, and lose the first pounds rapidly, you may want to follow the Atkins 40 plan so you can establish the good eating habits that will become part of your ongoing lifestyle and end yo-yo dieting.