New Member unable to get into ketosis

[Appy]

I'm asked to introduce myself. My name is Ron. I'm 61 years old. About 6 years ago when my wife was alive she put us both on the Atkins diet. I'm about 5' 11'' and at that time I weighed about 198. On the diet she and I were on I went down to about 189.

A couple of months ago I noticed that my weight was the highest it had ever been, 205. During that time I had just read Gary Taubes book: "Good Calories, Bad Calories" I was impressed with what Taubes had said and further, when I tracked down selected references I found he was accurate.

I decided to go on a modified low fat diet and dropped to about 190 in a month promising that when my son left I would attack the weight seriously. During this time I was eating a lot of carbs although I cut out all processed carbs like potatoes and white everything. I never was in ketosis.

Now my son has left and I've been on a strict no carbs diet for a week. My problem and what brought me to this forum is that I can't seem to get into Ketosis. Since last Monday I've only eaten bacon, eggs, cheese, beef and chicken with coffee and canned milk, tea and once in a while a glass of whole milk. Other than salt and pepper I've eaten nothing else. Even though I'm on a NO carb diet I can't get into ketosis. When I was on the diet with my wife and during induction my ketostrips were a dark purple - so dark it worried my wife. This time the colour does not change. My question is: "What I'm I doing that is keeping me out of ketosis?"

Thanks in advance for information.

[mel7joy]

Hi Appy,
I'm a new member too; one thing I noticed that seems to throw me out of Ketosis- at least from what the stick tells me- is cream & coffee. I cut those out, really watched my cheese servings carefully and I stay 'in the pink' no problem now. I'd love to see that dark purple but from what I've read it doesn't matter what color, as long as you see a color.
Good luck!
Mel

[Pat]

Hi Ron and welcome to the board.

I'm no expert, but you don't mention any vegetables in your food intake. You need to be eating some vegetables. Also, milk is a no-no on the induction stage of Atkins. Have you got the Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution Book? If not, get hold of a copy and read up on the Atkins way of eating - you'll see which veggies and how many you should be eating, as well as loads of info about how and why this way of eating works.

Someone else will no doubt post soon who can explain things much better than I can and in more detail, but in the meantime, look into getting/reading the book.

Pat

[Appy]

Thanks Pat. I had the book but can't find it right now. I wondered about the veggies since last Friday I took my mother out for lunch and was restricted to the restaurant diet. I had a chicken salad and, sure enough, the next day was the first time I saw some pink in the ketostrip. Taubes suggests that milk is a no no too.

I appreciate your answer.

Ron

[Appy]

Thanks Mel. I recall when first on the diet that I had to cut out sugar in my coffee and tea but don't remember cutting the milk. I never went back to the sugar even when I went off the diet. I'll try cutting the milk and see if that helps.

Ron

[carbless_in_seattle]

no milk!

Milk has carbs, I'll bet that's why.

[aleby66]

Although I am not a expert, I really think you should get rid of the milk has sugar and carbs. Also you should be eating 3 cups of veggies a day. It did how ever take me a week to get into ketosis.