Ketosis

[yellowsun_5t5]

I read in the book that after 48 hours people should start to be in ketosis, and today is day three of induction for me. I used a keto stick and it only showed "trace" amounts.

Is this a sign that I have eaten something I shouldn't have?

For those of you in OWL or maintenance, how important have you found these ketostix to be?

Thanks!

[liv]

I never used sticks. I just consentrate on eating right and go with that. Some people like them. But they are not always all that accurate. And any people will be in ketosis without getting any measurements on those sticks.
But you're seeing pink. That means that YOU are in ketosis. You do not have to have a dark colour to be there. Good work.

[JulieB]

I have never used them either. When I first started, I knew I was in Ketosis by my breath, although I don't notice that anymore (I guess you can get used to anything!)

I eat on plan, no cheating, only until I am no longer hungry...and I lose. I don't need sticks for that.

[imagood1]

Originally Posted by yellowsun_5t5

I read in the book that after 48 hours people should start to be in ketosis, and today is day three of induction for me. I used a keto stick and it only showed "trace" amounts.

Is this a sign that I have eaten something I shouldn't have?

For those of you in OWL or maintenance, how important have you found these ketostix to be?

Thanks!

The ketosis stick showing a "trace" means you ARE in keotsis -- the color doesn't matter, although the darker the stick may mean other things, like you are dehydrated or medications you take.

The sticks were originally designed for diabetics -- I never showed any amount of color on them so I don't think they are reliable at all -- and others (including Julie & Liv) don't use them or found them unreliable also.

[PeteinVA]

It took me a few days to turn the stix. I was a bit "busy" with them at first- anytime I went into the restroom I opened the bottle just to check hehh

As others have said you'll stick to the plan and you WILL lose, stix or not.

I used up the bottle of 50 and considered buying another one and decided not to. I don't need to wonder if I'm in ketosis when my diet and results show that I am (plus some slight side effects)

Good luck to you and check back often!

[yellowsun_5t5]

Thanks all - yeah I have to tell myself that checking three times a day is just crazy because it's like a pregnancy test without the worry! Lol. But today I turned it darker and I am happy with that.

I need to buy a scale because I currently can't weigh myself whenever I want and I just need some reassurance daily that things are going well. It is hard to believe after eating so much fat that I could possibly be losing weight, especially after having followed a low-fat/calorie restricted diet for the past 7 months.

(And - in 3 weeks I have almost lost as much weight as I lost over that entire 7 months. )

How do you guys build your confidence without weighing in/ measuring/ ketostix?

[mizski]

You should really measure yourself. Those initial measurements can be pretty shocking, but they will be very important as the months go by to see actual concrete proof that you're shrinking. I use the measurement categories from FitDay.

When you do go shopping for a scale, get a digital one. I was amazed at how accurate they are and you can't fudge your weight like with the other kind if you lean just the right way.

I never used the ketostix. I can tell I'm in ketosis mostly by the taste in my mouth and my breath.

As far as building confidence, I don't know...I have a lot of weight to lose so I just put my best effort into following the plan and exercising. I do weigh in at least every two weeks and take measurements every month but even without that, my clothes are getting looser and my shoes and rings aren't as tight. AND...for the first time, someone I hadn't seen since July exclaimed, "OMG, you've lost so much weight!!" I've lost 30#s since the end of July and honestly, I don't see much difference (other than my feet) but it sure felt nice to hear.

[yellowsun_5t5]

I have been using the site Sparkpeople.com ever since February so I have been following my measurements since then (low fat up until recently).

I do love to see the difference in measurements though, having lost over 50 inches since February and not seeing the change physically.

Thanks for the response

One more thing - lots of people talk about their breath and the taste in their mouths. Is this something I should be afraid of or that others notice? That is scary to me and not a positive change...

[JulieB]

The breath isn't "bad" it is just different some people say metallic. I just brush my teeth more often or use mouthwash.

Be careful about weighing too often...some people get really obsessed about the numbers, which fluctuate during the day, and go up and down over a week or more. This is normal!! A lot of people only weigh once a week because they find they depend on the scale to tell them if they should have a good day or a bad one. I'm not saying don't weigh daily, that is your choice! just be aware that you won't get a nice, steady down-ward line on your weight graph

[EverLosing]

Originally Posted by yellowsun_5t5

Thanks all - yeah I have to tell myself that checking three times a day is just crazy because it's like a pregnancy test without the worry! Lol. But today I turned it darker and I am happy with that.

I need to buy a scale because I currently can't weigh myself whenever I want and I just need some reassurance daily that things are going well. It is hard to believe after eating so much fat that I could possibly be losing weight, especially after having followed a low-fat/calorie restricted diet for the past 7 months.

(And - in 3 weeks I have almost lost as much weight as I lost over that entire 7 months. )

How do you guys build your confidence without weighing in/ measuring/ ketostix?

Oh, my goodness! I feel like I'm looking in the mirror at the old me with your obsessive/compulsiveness about the scale, ketostix, tape measurement results. Take no offense to that. Most of us have been there and some are still there. My best advice is to r-e-l-a-x!! The results will come. Follow the plan and the plan will pay you back. That's how it works. I've lost nearly 70 pounds. That's like 2 toddlers. LOL! I still catch my reflection in a mirror or a glass door or a shop window and don't recognize myself. My point to you is sometimes even long after the results have come, you're still looking at yourself with "fat eyes" if you know what I mean. It takes time...time to lose the weight and then time to see it, feel it and adjust to it. How do you keep yourself motivated? Depends on what motivates you and how bad you want it. Achieving anything that doesn't come easy comes down to how bad you want it.