The devil known as ketosticks.

[DigitalMocking]

I love the Atkins WOL. I love the advice and realism that Dr. Atkins brings when he wrote and how this diet makes me feel.

One thing that's bugged me for a long time, ever since I became active in various Atkins communities in 2002 is ketosticks. It seems to me like more people suffer more self doubt over what color a stick you pee on turns than even the scale can give you at times.

I fell into that trap myself. Since we live in a "more is better" world, I found myself drinking LESS water just to see a very deep purple color.

I would urge you all to give them up. They go bad, they have different variances from manufacturer to manufacturer and ultimately they're a poor gauge of how you're doing on Atkins. If you're following the plan and your clothes fit better, your measurements are down and the scale is hopefully moving the right way (even if it's not... please remember the scale is only 1 measure of success) then don't doubt yourself because of the color change on a little stick.

[rozigrl221]

Great advice Digital..Thanks for the remind....

[kate58]

I looked into the various reasons why they don't turn for some people and why some poeple get darker shades than others (even when fully hydrated) a while back and basically discovered there are too many variables to ever rely on them. The post about it is in this thread (Ketone Testing Strips.).

[Sheepie]

I agree. I used one strip during induction and that was it. Frankly, I'm not going to pee on something unless it's a pg test and I'm getting too old for that! I see very little benefit to ketosticks after the first week. It seems to me that most people use them to judge the effects of a cheat. If you cheat, it doesn't really matter what color the strip is. Just get back on plan. Just my opinion.

[Evermind]

I've never even SEEN one, much less used one.

As far as I know, I'm always in ketosis, just because I consume so few carbs and so much fat.

[I_Luv_Pugs]

My husband lives and dies by the color of his keto stick. Ketosis is ketosis it's a black and white issue not a grade of more is better. I use the keto sticks when adding carbs back into my diet as a check.

[apple]

Thanks for the thought!

I used them back in 2001....but that was because it was like a new toy people were talking about. Of course I had to stop buying them because they were 1. too expensive and I could buy more veggies than the strips 2. I wasn't seeing the right dark color I wanted (OCD issues ) and 3. I fell out of love having to actually do the act....really, is there anything more interesting I could be doing while "going"? Yes! I could read....something more entertaining

[spazzyhilo]

The first time I was on Atkins I used the ketosticks but lost interest in them after a while. This time around I have absolutely no desire for them at all. I have more excitement when I've lost another inch around my waist then I ever did peeing on a stick.

[HulaMom]

Aloha Digital,
Thanks for this thread! I'm pushing through induction and have been waiting for the signs of ketosis to kick in. I wrote yesterday that I feel like I'm on the 'tipping point' but my sticks and scales are not showing any response.
Kate's thread was soooo valuable.
It is a comfort to know that I am on track and it will come.
I tried to re-induct myself this fall and I fell because I couldn't get in the groove or see the signs of ketosis. Then I let myself cheat.
Threading into the STAC definitely improves my odds this time.
MAHALO!

[SunnySmile501]

Originally Posted by DigitalMocking

I love the Atkins WOL. I love the advice and realism that Dr. Atkins brings when he wrote and how this diet makes me feel.

One thing that's bugged me for a long time, ever since I became active in various Atkins communities in 2002 is ketosticks. It seems to me like more people suffer more self doubt over what color a stick you pee on turns than even the scale can give you at times.

I fell into that trap myself. Since we live in a "more is better" world, I found myself drinking LESS water just to see a very deep purple color.

I would urge you all to give them up. They go bad, they have different variances from manufacturer to manufacturer and ultimately they're a poor gauge of how you're doing on Atkins. If you're following the plan and your clothes fit better, your measurements are down and the scale is hopefully moving the right way (even if it's not... please remember the scale is only 1 measure of success) then don't doubt yourself because of the color change on a little stick.

This was very true for me. I bought one bottle back when I started back in 2005. I went many months following the diet by the book, but only rarely showed 'trace' on the stupid stix. I lost 48 pounds in the first 90 days and went on to lose another 30 in the next 90 days, but I still felt guilty and disheartened because I wasn't turning those evil stix pink! The day that I got on the scale and had dropped 4 pounds for the week, but felt like a failure because of a negative stick, I knocked my ownself up side the head and threw the rest in the trash! If they give you good feedback; great, but if they don't; don't use them.

Sunny!