Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing (CCLL)

In the Atkins diet,  the Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing (CCLL) is the maximum number of grams of carbohydrates a day a person can consume and still continue to lose weight. Eating more carbohydrates causes weight loss to stop or weight gain to begin

The CCLL is measured in the beginning of the Ongoing Weight Loss phase and again at the beginning of the Pre-Maintenance phase of the diet..

Determine your CCLL by carefully controlling your carb intake and measuring your weight. Starting from a daily carbohydrate intake level  where you are losing weight, increase your daily carbohydrate intake by 5 grams each week until you stop losing weight.  Then back off 5 grams.

Your CCLL will typically be between 15 and 60 grams of carbohydrates per day, depending on your metabolic resistance. Dr Atkins reports that regular exercisers (5 times a week for 45 minutes) may have a CCLL between 60 and 90 grams of carbohydrate a day.

Your CCLL may vary as you adjust to the low carbohydrate diet, and will vary according to how much you exercise.