There are four main stages of the Atkins diet: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance, and maintenance. During the first two weeks, you're in the induction phase. During this time, many people report losing 15 pounds or more, simply because the intake of carbohydrates is reduced to 20 grams each day. The only carbohydrates you can have are low-carb vegetables, and even then they are very limited. The second phase, known as weight loss in progress, here you are allowed to have 25 grams each day. Then, turning to pre-maintenance, in which you can try other foods to see what can add carbohydrates in your diet. Once you have reached your weight loss goals, you can eat all the good carbohydrates, but the premise behind the diet plan is that you do not want to eat all these foods. The choice of carbohydrates will become a healthy new lifestyle. As with any diet, you will need to exercise to lose weight. Changes in lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, are also important. Many people have questioned the safety of the Atkins diet, because of its harsh methods, and some say that the plan only makes you bounce back to its original weight so as to arrive at the maintenance level. The key is to find something that works for you and your weight loss goals and that is healthy choice for your body.