Should i reduce my calories on the atkins diet or should i follow it step by step?

im pretty much sure that if you calculate the calories on the Atkins diet it adds up to more than 1,200 calories. should i reduce the calories? someone once told me that if i count calories and stick to a low carb diet it's like doing 2 diets at once...she told me that i should do one of the 2 only. wont i lose more weight if i stick to 1,200 calories and stick to a low carb diet?