Hello and welcome to the forums. I wish you the best of luck on (both) of your weightloss journeys.

You may not reach your goal weights at the same time, but you shouldn't let that discourage you.

In the beginning, just worry about getting the number of carbs under control, that's the most important part and a big enough challenge for almost anyone getting started.

Later on, if you want a rule of thumb, you should probably aim for about 1800 calories a day, and your wife should aim at about 1500. This is because of your genders, it has nothing to do with how much each of you weighs now, and how far you have to go.

I know this may seem counter intuitive, but optimizing weight loss isn't just about limiting your intake - it's about your intake AND how many calories you burn. If you try to speed things up by starving your body, your body may panic and slow down your metabolism.

If you're used to eating many more calories than that, don't despair - a high fat and protein diet is much more filling than a high carb diet. I'm a guy who used to routinely eat over 3000 calories a day of high carb food, but on Atkins I sometimes have to push myself to even reach my goal of 1800 calories a day. It's just that filling.

Husband & Wife Doing Atkins Together
 

Hi! I'm new to the discussion board.

My wife and I are wanting to do Atkins together. At this time she weighs more than I do 225 vs 211. Over time I assume as we follow Atkins and work toward our goal weights of 160 for her and 195 for me we will need to consume different amounts of low carb food? Can someone offer advice to how we manage tha amount of food we will need to consume.

I will appreciate all replies from the forum.

Thanks,

WP

At first you want to just worry about the amount of carbs you are taking in for the purpose of induction. Eventually you will begin to introduce more carbs back into your diet with the intent of finding your threshold. While calories do ultimately count there is not set number of calories that works for everyone. For me that number seems to be somewhere around 1600-1800 per day.

To keep my caloric intake at that level and also manage my carbs then I keep my net carb count around 30-35 each day. This would make up about 13-15% of my calories leaving 23-25% for protien and the 60-65% fat. You can use fitday to track the details and it will help you to better understand all of the details of what you are eating.

http://www.fitday.com

Honestly though, my favorite part of this diet is that I don't have to micro-manage it. During the first couple of weeks you will need to really pay attention, their are carbs in the most unexpected of places. After that, you will get a feel for it and develop habits that make this very easy to manage.

batlou,

Thank you for the reply. With Atkins won't my wife need to eat smaller amounts of low carb food to achieve her goal? I guess this is one of the things I do not understand about Atkins.

I hope I'm explaining my thoughts well.

Patrick

If you stick to only the items in the book listed as safe for induction and keep the carb count in range it should work itself out.

I guess I'm hung up the amout of food for two different people. In this case my wife and I.

Thanks for your help.

WP

If you have not already read the book the following 3 threads are a must read. Then go pick up a copy of the book. Reading it while going through induction, which can be difficult for some, will keep your motiviation up.

Atkins Basics 2009
http://www.lowcarbsite.com/showthrea...as-of-Jan-2009

Basic Rules of Induction
http://www.lowcarbsite.com/showthrea...s-of-Induction

Acceptable Food List
http://www.lowcarbsite.com/showthrea...ds-(Induction)

Thanks for the links. We hope to begin shortly.

WP