Limited Ketostix, When to test?

[BluECliQ]

When I woke up August 1st I decided to start Atkins, so I'm approaching the end of my second day right now. I have a small number of ketostix still from doing the diet once before and am wondering when is a good day to test if I am at a state where I would like to be?

[momtomany1]

Test on your third 'clean' day, clean meaning 'only eating from the list.' Three days should be enough to get the excess carbs out of your system. If you are showing pink or purple, just keep eating like you are. If you are not, keep an eye on your menu and try again the next day. Once you show color, you are in lipolysis, and you don't really need to test after that for a while, as long as you are eating like you did when you know you were in lipolysis. You might do it once a week or so. If you can tell from your breath or energy level or other ways, don't bother. Strips will come in handy later as you add back in carbs to find you CCCL. (Level of carbs at which you leave lipolysis.)

[IrishIrish]

In my opinion, save your money if you are losing weight. Most people who stick to the plan as written in DANDR, 2002 (protein, veggie carbs and fats - no processed foods) are in ketosis.

If you have a need to brush your teeth more often or have a metalic taste in your mouth, you are probably in ketosis. I tested in the first few weeks of Atkins in 2004 and haven't tested since.

[gman]

Early on we need signs of success. Ideally it's loss of weight, but it can also be loss of inches in measurements, feeling better, more energy, etc. If you want to test, go ahead. Seeing the result should help. Know there is a spectrum of results using this test ... most people show trace or more when burning ketones, but some don't show. But, watch out it's like weighing yourself many times a day ... you can over obsess. Once you know you are in lipolysis, as 'mom' said, you can use them more for checking your ongoing lipolysis as you move up the rungs.
My two cents.
Glenn

[RockChic]

i used my first one in the evening of day 2 and it already showed I was in ketosis - and it acted as a real boost when I was feeling a bit fed up already!

Keep up the good work!! I'm on day 6 now and it's getting a bit easier every day.

Pamela

[Elizellen]

How long ago was the pack of sticks opened? they do have a limited life once opened apparently.