Ketosis and Ketostix

[omnimomma]

I'm sure someone must have asked this question before, but I can't seem to find it by running a search.

When using ketostix, how much color change are we looking for? I've been Although I do see a color change, it never goes beyond the first level. I have lost weight, just not as much as I had hoped.

According to Fitday, my carbs are in the 20s, but as I understand they don't subtract fiber, so my actual carbs are probably lower than what they show. I do feel much better than I have in a long time.

Is this what is meant by metabolically resistant? I am returning to Atkins after being off the plan due to serious illness. When I was on it a couple of years ago, the weight dropped much faster, and I didn't use ketostix to check because I saw results in the scale.

Thanks.

[ValidRouge]

I don't use the ketosticks, but from what I've read on this board either you're in ketosis or you're not. So, if you've got any change on the sticks, you're in ketosis.

Yes, you get to subtract the fiber, and no fitday doesn't do it for you.

As far as being metabolically resistant, it doesn't appear to be that way for you. I see in your ticker that you've lost 7 lbs during your induction. Congratulations. That's 7% of your total amount to lose...and most people lose 5-10% during induction. Sounds to me like you're doing fine. I'm on my second time around too...and I didn't lose nearly as much during induction the second time around as I did the first...even though I have more to lose this time. I've actually done MUCH MUCH better since I moved into OWL. You might want to give that a try and see how it goes...just add 5 more net carbs of vegetables. Make sure you are getting your water in. I drank a TON of water yesterday and got a nice 1 lb loss on the scale this morning as a reward...I see that's one of your goals, and that's a great one.

Make sure you are using a measuring tape too. When the scale doesn't move, the tape measure usually does. I've found that one week I'll lose on the scale, the next I lose in inches. I can usually find my reward in one or the other of them. Thank goodness I do both, that way I don't get frustrated.

Good luck

[Elizellen]

Validrouge is right, you do not appear to be metabolically resistant to weightloss

There is a chart in Chapter 13 of DANDR (page 158 in my version) which will let you check how resistant you are.

[2big4mysize]

yep you are in ketosis with any change just like being pregnant either you are or you aren't.

I just looked at your fit day and you seem to alternat days of high fat and high protein. remember Atkins is a ketogenic plan ( burns fats as fuel) so the body will stop the fat burning while it burns up all the sugars you have and excess protein is turned to sugar in the body. Try to be consistant and have only 30% of your total fuel (calories) intake as protein grams. A good rule of thumb when eyeballing your fitday is the fat grams and the protein grams should be close to the same. you are shooting for 65% of your intake to be fat grams either from pure fats or mixed fat/protein sources like meat and cheese.

Get your ratio right and you should see the pounds moving better.

What are you doing for your exercise part of your Atkins? I saw your feet were sore and swollen in your journal are you doing any upperbody workouts instead?

[omnimomma]

Thank you for the encouragement. I didn't know about balancing the carbs and proteins to about the same number of grams.

As far as exercise is concerned, I've been walking whenever my feet will allow it, but I'm not able to go as far as I would like. I was schedled to have both Achilles tendons worked on a couple of years ago, and was unable to do the surgery due to another health crisis.

Arthritis has me pretty stiff, and I've been pretty much of a couch potato for a couple of years, but I've been doing more general activity around the house since I've been back on Atkins. My exercise bike is scheduled to come up from the basement next week after I get out of school for the summer.

[Esther]

I find that I can stay on the first 'level' of ketosis for weeks without shifting an ounce, but once I move up a level or two it starts rolling off. Every body is different - if you're not losing on 'level one', step things up till you're on level 2 or 3 and see what happens!

[DHowell]

One thing I have noticed this second time around. I am drinking way more water than usual. First time it was a struggle to get in 8 a day and now I am drinking close to a gallon - So during the day when it's coming out as fast as it goes in my stick is much lighter than first thing in the am.

Not sure if that makes any difference but its a thought to consider...