Question about ketosis...

[HeatherJL]

Hi everyone!

I am on Day 10, & as of Day 7 I was down 7 lbs. I purchased the ketostix to measure whether or not I was in ketosis b/c the last time I did Atkins, I admit, it wasn't by the book & never got into ketosis, so this time around I am committed to doing it by the book. I have been in ketosis since about Day 2 or 3 (I can't remember) & it always measures 'small', but one day it measured 'moderate' & then this morning it measured 'trace'. I guess I'm just wondering what the fluctuations mean...? I drink at least 8 glasses of water every day which I know can effect the results or perhaps caffeine or maybe b/c yesterday I used 5.5 splendas, which was more than usual...? My average daily carb intake is 27 carbs- which I know is a tad high, but I've remained in ketosis & can cut back those carbs simply by reducing the amount of splenda I use daily or the cream that goes in my coffee/tea. I follow Induction according to the book & consume only the amount of veggies/cheese/cream allowed in a day- w/ maybe one or 2 days going slighty over w/ the cream, never w/ the cheese...so any ideas on what gives...?

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

Heather

[tfek70]

Where to begin....

First I guess that I should point out that you are doing the "Heather Diet", not the Atkins. A clean induction is under 20 grams of carbs per day, not 27. Coffee and tea should be avoided. Ketostix are inaccurate. Color on ketostix is unimportant. You are either in ketosis or not. I am not a purist, and please don't take this wrong. I am merely pointing out areas that you are not doing by the book.

The following link provides great insight and will probably answer most of your questions: Atkins Low Carb Dieting - FAQ's - Atkins Diet . There are two awesome threads about ketostick color near the bottom and then of course there are at least two excellent threads about rules of induction and foods on induction.

Glad to see you here Heather, hope all goes well.

T. J.

[addict]

if i could chime in here, i found that caffeine does affect the results seen on the ketostix - not sure why. I had been doing extended induction, and was regularly testing - when the only thing new added was caffeine, with no change to diet, and suddenly I stopped registering anything on the strips.

If you are keeping your carb intake to induction levels, I think the sticks become a formality - your body is getting energy from somewhere...

[HeatherJL]

Great, thanks! I kept the caffeine, but cut back by half b/c I wasn't willing to deal w/ the w/drawl headaches, so drink 1/2 decaf, 1/2 regular & the tea is decaf. Coffee & tea will cost me about 7 carbs per day b/c of the 3 TB. of cream & the 4 packets of splenda... which only leaves me w/ 13 for all the rest of my carbs...veggies, cheese, etc. I eat a lot of green beans which costs me 6 carbs for a cup, add in 3 oz. of cheese & I'm up to 16 carbs, add 1 more carb for two cups of salad greens, & depending on which protein sources I am eating...deli meat, sausage, eggs, bacon, beef, chicken, etc...or if I use Ranch dressing that day, I'm always around the 27 carb/day mark. Even though I'm 7 carbs over, it keeps me sane. I burn about 600 cal/day 6 days a week doing the P90X program & tend to be hungry every 2 hours, needing more fuel b/c of such an intense training program.

It's great that I'm in ketosis regarding the 7 carbs or not- but any other advice from athletes, maybe w/ menu ideas would be very helpful.

Thanks!

Heather

[HeatherJL]

Oh, you know, I definitely had more caffeine yesterday & I registered 'trace' this morning- I bet that was it! And I had it before bed b/c I was out at a study group until 10:30. I'll scale back today & see what happens. Will also work harder at keeping the carbs closer to 20, not 27.

Thanks everybody!

[Katie_1985]

definitely see how the caffeine reacts for you!! It is differnt for everyone!! For me it's an accelerator and for many it boosts the metabolism. A lot of trainers (my own) even on the Biggest Loser they advocate a cup of coffee a day but IF IT WORKS FOR YOU! It's always about how it works for me! When I did Atkins 6 years ago I had a large coffee every day and lost 50 pounds in about 2.5 months!

[HeatherJL]

Wow! That's great! I've cut back a bit for now, one cup in the morning & then decaf tea for the rest of the day. When I went home yesterday I tested again & the strip was back to measuring small instead of trace. It helps to keep me motivated...I was in D&D last night & would have jumped through hooops for a dang chocolate dipped glaze! lol Thanks for your help!

[Katie_1985]

The strips are great for staying motivated. This time yesterday I was negative and now I am pink!!!

[ShannonMW]

Heather,
Have you been to the Atkins website recently. They have a great set up to help you create your own custom induction menu. Take a look! Shannon

[HeatherJL]

Shannon- thank you! I'll take a look!