Ketosis question

[ssMarilyn]

I've been using Atkins on and off since the 70's and he's been a life saver for me. My question is this....even though I've been in ketosis non-stop for the 6 weeks I've been on Atkins this time, I've only lost one pound in the last 2 weeks. What's with that? I researched online and on another board someone said that if you eat too much fat, such as in bacon, etc... that is what shows up on the strips and not actual weight loss. Is this true? Can you pass fat through your body like that so you are in ketosis but don't lose weight?

[StillSmiling]

I'm no pro, here, and have had similar questions about ketosis; since I've noticed that after a higher-fat intake at mealtime (or coffee-time), my ketosis strip goes darker. I think the strips are meant to provide visual encouragement that we are staying within our bodies' ability to burn fat ahead of sugars, and that we are keeping our sugar intake within an acceptable range. If you are stalling, perhaps posting your menus for review from our more seasoned members would be helpful. And before you go there, be prepared for the "are you measuring?" question. It's true that you will continue to burn inches, even though the scale isn't registering. The second question you'll encounter: "have you moved up to the veggies rung?". Also very helpful for dealing with stalls. I hope my limited experience is helpful. Good luck, stay focused, and you WILL continue to succeed. BigLove, S.

[ssMarilyn]

I can tell I'm losing because my clothes are looser, I'm no longer able to lay the remote on my boobs when I sit on the sofa - it falls off now, and I can feel my hip bones when I lay on my back. My face is thinner too.... I don't make menus, never have...I'm not self-disciplined enough to do that or a journal. I just eat protein all the time, with an occasional green salad with cucs and tomatoes tossed in, with ranch dressing. I have 2 Target no-sugar added ice cream bars a day, they are 4 carbs each, plus I eat one home-made chocolate mousse a day, which is about 5 carbs. As it stands I have to force myself to eat, because I'm never hungry. I do tend to eat too much protein, but I'm a protein lover, always have been. I can fry up a pan of side pork and eat that for 2 meals. That would be about 8 strips. I guess maybe it's that old story about how your fat cells fill up with water, waiting for you to fill them back up with fat, and after awhile they give up and shrink...and there goes some more pounds. I've heard that said by MD's. It's just frustrating to see the scale go down 1 lb in two weeks.

[SunnySmile501]

It is true that the ketostix register dietary fat as well as body fat being burned. For 48 hours after consuming alcohol, the stix will give a false positive for being in ketosis.

There are many variables with the ketostix. They are actually meant for diabetics, not weight loss. The time of day, how hydrated you are or are not, if you have exercised (and burned off the ketones)--many things come into play. Being in ketosis is not a guarantee to weight loss. Reading negative for ketosis is not a guarantee that you will not lose weight. I lost 75 pounds in six months and my sticks were negative most of the time. After that, I threw them in the trash.