Ketostix: no more purple

Drop 41 wrote:
:: "marengo" wrote in message
:: ...
::: Drop 41 wrote:
:::
::: snip
:::: Suddenly today it's different. No more purple. I did it this
:::: morning and it was "small" so I did it again just now and it's
:::: "trace"
:::
:::
::: Being in ketosis is like being pregnant -- either you are or you
::: aren't. In other words, the variation of concentration of ketones
::: in your urine does not mean that you are any "more" or anmy "less"
::: in ketosis. The ketoneconcentration will vary depending on time of
::: day tested, what you have eaten recently and how much, how much you
::: have had to drink, etc. --
::: Peter
::: 270/215/180
::: Before/Current Pix:
::: http://users.thelink.net/marengo/wei...htlosspix.html
::
:: so if it's 2 days now with the reading saying I'm not in ketosis
:: then I am not, right?
::
:: I ate a bunch of ham the last 3 days. The package listed the
:: ingredients and didn't say sugar or anything like it so i thought it
:: was ok - but i bet it has sugar! I think that's the culprit - and
:: the caff free diet pepsi. it gives me cravings too! This is the
:: first time in weeks that i am going through the cabinets and fridge
:: looking for muchies! I am thining about food more. Not good.

Yeah, if the cravings are back then something is up. Time to reevaluation
everything, start fresh and attention more. If you add something to your
diet, pay attention to see what affect it has. Try not to make too many
changes at once, either, as that makes it hard to figure out where the
problem lies.

::
:: i was so exited seeing the scale go down - 14lbs so far. I guess
:: it's time to tighten the reins again. phooey.

"revek" wrote in message ...

Your body has figured out how to burn fat efficiently (or at least
that particular type of ketone-- there are 4 but the strip only tests
for one) so there is very little excess in your urine. This is
common in folks who don't overeat fat and especially quick to surface
in folks who are going back on lowcarb after a hiatus. Your body
remembers how to do it. Totally normal. (Provided of course that you
are eating less than 100 g carbs a day- including converted protien-
so your body must get calories from fat for basal function).

revek

Hi Revek,

I'm facing the same problem. I was always on moderate-high ketosis all
through my first 3 weeks inspite of *LOTS* of water(started Induction
on 07/26). I stopped losing after the first week (215lbs to 210lbs =
5lbs in the first week).

I cheated a little this weekend (as in went upto about 50gms Carbs
though I intend to be in Induction for a month or two) and shot up to
212 lbs. My ketosis levels have gone down drastically and though I
register high first thing in the morning, it's trace/low throughout
the day, when it was high earlier. I have also stopped losing weight
altogether now and am a 26m, 212lbs, and consume about 1500 calories
consistently of which 65% is fat.

Now to my actual point - I found your explanation about progressively
low Ketone production quite insightful - kinda explains why low levels
of Ketones do not mean lack of Ketosis. Could you explain a little
more about how the body adapts, or point me to a link? I'm getting
frustrated here, with the low weight loss, and periodic lowering of
Ketostix levels. I would love to read further of this phenomenon.

Thanks.

"revek" wrote in message ...

Your body has figured out how to burn fat efficiently (or at least
that particular type of ketone-- there are 4 but the strip only tests
for one) so there is very little excess in your urine. This is
common in folks who don't overeat fat and especially quick to surface
in folks who are going back on lowcarb after a hiatus. Your body
remembers how to do it. Totally normal. (Provided of course that you
are eating less than 100 g carbs a day- including converted protien-
so your body must get calories from fat for basal function).

revek

Hi Revek,

I'm facing the same problem. I was always on moderate-high ketosis all
through my first 3 weeks inspite of *LOTS* of water(started Induction
on 07/26). I stopped losing after the first week (215lbs to 210lbs =
5lbs in the first week).

I cheated a little this weekend (as in went upto about 50gms Carbs
though I intend to be in Induction for a month or two) and shot up to
212 lbs. My ketosis levels have gone down drastically and though I
register high first thing in the morning, it's trace/low throughout
the day, when it was high earlier. I have also stopped losing weight
altogether now and am a 26m, 212lbs, and consume about 1500 calories
consistently of which 65% is fat.

Now to my actual point - I found your explanation about progressively
low Ketone production quite insightful - kinda explains why low levels
of Ketones do not mean lack of Ketosis. Could you explain a little
more about how the body adapts, or point me to a link? I'm getting
frustrated here, with the low weight loss, and periodic lowering of
Ketostix levels. I would love to read further of this phenomenon.

Thanks.

"GillBates" wrote in message
om...
Now to my actual point - I found your explanation about
progressively
low Ketone production quite insightful - kinda explains why low
levels
of Ketones do not mean lack of Ketosis. Could you explain a little
more about how the body adapts, or point me to a link?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

http://www.lowcarb.org/ketosis.html

www.lowcarbresearch.org/lcr/results.asp

I'm getting
frustrated here, with the low weight loss, and periodic lowering of
Ketostix levels. I would love to read further of this phenomenon.

As another poster said, ketosis is like being pregnant. You either
are or aren't. Higher numbers don't mean you're burning more fat. It
is merely an indicator that yes indeed you have switched from using
glucose to fat for fuel (the body doesn't "do" both at the same time,
but the switch gets progressively swifter/easier each time you bounce
between the two).

You mention 65% fat, what is your protien percentage? You are aware
that protien converts at up to 58% to carbs, right? Be careful to eat
enough protien for maintaining your current lean muscle mass, but no
more-- or carbs they may become. The prefered order the body uses for
fuel is : alcohol, carbs, protien, then fat. So if you eat too much
protien, your body will prefer to convert it to carbs rather than burn
fat. It would have the same effect of eating too many starch/sugar
carbs-- insulin dump and scrub clean the blood and store all those
calories before you can burn them.

You may wish to cut back on the protien for a bit and add a pat of
butter or seasoned olive oil to your veggies (to make up the calories)
and see if that nudges things along (if you are at all like me and
hate the math).

revek

"GillBates" wrote in message
om...
Now to my actual point - I found your explanation about
progressively
low Ketone production quite insightful - kinda explains why low
levels
of Ketones do not mean lack of Ketosis. Could you explain a little
more about how the body adapts, or point me to a link?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

http://www.lowcarb.org/ketosis.html

www.lowcarbresearch.org/lcr/results.asp

I'm getting
frustrated here, with the low weight loss, and periodic lowering of
Ketostix levels. I would love to read further of this phenomenon.

As another poster said, ketosis is like being pregnant. You either
are or aren't. Higher numbers don't mean you're burning more fat. It
is merely an indicator that yes indeed you have switched from using
glucose to fat for fuel (the body doesn't "do" both at the same time,
but the switch gets progressively swifter/easier each time you bounce
between the two).

You mention 65% fat, what is your protien percentage? You are aware
that protien converts at up to 58% to carbs, right? Be careful to eat
enough protien for maintaining your current lean muscle mass, but no
more-- or carbs they may become. The prefered order the body uses for
fuel is : alcohol, carbs, protien, then fat. So if you eat too much
protien, your body will prefer to convert it to carbs rather than burn
fat. It would have the same effect of eating too many starch/sugar
carbs-- insulin dump and scrub clean the blood and store all those
calories before you can burn them.

You may wish to cut back on the protien for a bit and add a pat of
butter or seasoned olive oil to your veggies (to make up the calories)
and see if that nudges things along (if you are at all like me and
hate the math).

revek

Drop 41 wrote:

I bought a bottle of Ketostix a while back and for the past 2 weeks I have
been using them at random times during the day (any time from waking up till
going to bed) They have registered usually "moderate" or "large" (40-80mg)

Common in the first two weeks, but what happens in the first two weeks
does NOT define normal. The first two weeks define abnormal.

Suddenly today it's different. No more purple. I did it this morning and it
was "small" so I did it again just now and it's "trace"

Right on schedule. The sticks went from positive (but dark because
that's what happens in the first two weeks) to positive (but light
because that's what normally happens).

Now - i am not using this as a serious tool but it was fun to see the
purple. I felt like "hey, it's working" besides seeing the scale go down
and the clothes get looser.

It is a serious tool but it is NOT a race. For ketosis the sticks
are yes/no *only*. Now that they have reached their normal levels
vast amounts of effort will fail to return them to their abnormal
levels of the first two weeks.

Should I worry that for some reason there is such a big change? Or disregard
them and not even give it another thought?

Disregard this perfectly normal on schedule event.

I didn't do anything differently on the diet (atkins for me)

You should do different. Week 3 starts OWL for the best loss. Staying
low may be "safe" but it safe doesn't mean best loss. Step out in
faith!

Drop 41 wrote:

I bought a bottle of Ketostix a while back and for the past 2 weeks I have
been using them at random times during the day (any time from waking up till
going to bed) They have registered usually "moderate" or "large" (40-80mg)

Common in the first two weeks, but what happens in the first two weeks
does NOT define normal. The first two weeks define abnormal.

Suddenly today it's different. No more purple. I did it this morning and it
was "small" so I did it again just now and it's "trace"

Right on schedule. The sticks went from positive (but dark because
that's what happens in the first two weeks) to positive (but light
because that's what normally happens).

Now - i am not using this as a serious tool but it was fun to see the
purple. I felt like "hey, it's working" besides seeing the scale go down
and the clothes get looser.

It is a serious tool but it is NOT a race. For ketosis the sticks
are yes/no *only*. Now that they have reached their normal levels
vast amounts of effort will fail to return them to their abnormal
levels of the first two weeks.

Should I worry that for some reason there is such a big change? Or disregard
them and not even give it another thought?

Disregard this perfectly normal on schedule event.

I didn't do anything differently on the diet (atkins for me)

You should do different. Week 3 starts OWL for the best loss. Staying
low may be "safe" but it safe doesn't mean best loss. Step out in
faith!

"Doug Freyburger" wrote in message
om...
Drop 41 wrote:

I bought a bottle of Ketostix a while back and for the past 2 weeks I
have
been using them at random times during the day (any time from waking up
till
going to bed) They have registered usually "moderate" or "large"
(40-80mg)

Common in the first two weeks, but what happens in the first two weeks
does NOT define normal. The first two weeks define abnormal.

Suddenly today it's different. No more purple. I did it this morning and
it
was "small" so I did it again just now and it's "trace"

Right on schedule. The sticks went from positive (but dark because
that's what happens in the first two weeks) to positive (but light
because that's what normally happens).

Now - i am not using this as a serious tool but it was fun to see the
purple. I felt like "hey, it's working" besides seeing the scale go
down
and the clothes get looser.

It is a serious tool but it is NOT a race. For ketosis the sticks
are yes/no *only*. Now that they have reached their normal levels
vast amounts of effort will fail to return them to their abnormal
levels of the first two weeks.

Should I worry that for some reason there is such a big change? Or
disregard
them and not even give it another thought?

Disregard this perfectly normal on schedule event.

I didn't do anything differently on the diet (atkins for me)

You should do different. Week 3 starts OWL for the best loss. Staying
low may be "safe" but it safe doesn't mean best loss. Step out in
faith!

I dunno - this way worked for me last time (i lost 30lbs and kept it off for
years until i had children)

Now that I have been at it for a while I will do this a little more.
Besides - the Atkins book specifically states that the Induction phase can
be safely done for longer than 2 weeks if you need to lose a lot of weight.
I would like to lose about 30-40 lbs then maybe go to OWL. My loss hasn't
been too rapid as is now.

"Doug Freyburger" wrote in message
om...
Drop 41 wrote:

I bought a bottle of Ketostix a while back and for the past 2 weeks I
have
been using them at random times during the day (any time from waking up
till
going to bed) They have registered usually "moderate" or "large"
(40-80mg)

Common in the first two weeks, but what happens in the first two weeks
does NOT define normal. The first two weeks define abnormal.

Suddenly today it's different. No more purple. I did it this morning and
it
was "small" so I did it again just now and it's "trace"

Right on schedule. The sticks went from positive (but dark because
that's what happens in the first two weeks) to positive (but light
because that's what normally happens).

Now - i am not using this as a serious tool but it was fun to see the
purple. I felt like "hey, it's working" besides seeing the scale go
down
and the clothes get looser.

It is a serious tool but it is NOT a race. For ketosis the sticks
are yes/no *only*. Now that they have reached their normal levels
vast amounts of effort will fail to return them to their abnormal
levels of the first two weeks.

Should I worry that for some reason there is such a big change? Or
disregard
them and not even give it another thought?

Disregard this perfectly normal on schedule event.

I didn't do anything differently on the diet (atkins for me)

You should do different. Week 3 starts OWL for the best loss. Staying
low may be "safe" but it safe doesn't mean best loss. Step out in
faith!

I dunno - this way worked for me last time (i lost 30lbs and kept it off for
years until i had children)

Now that I have been at it for a while I will do this a little more.
Besides - the Atkins book specifically states that the Induction phase can
be safely done for longer than 2 weeks if you need to lose a lot of weight.
I would like to lose about 30-40 lbs then maybe go to OWL. My loss hasn't
been too rapid as is now.

Drop 41 wrote:

Besides - the Atkins book specifically states that the Induction phase can
be safely done for longer than 2 weeks if you need to lose a lot of weight.

Safe isn't the same as best loss. The 4-phase process was designed
to outperform the more obvious staying low. Are you really here to
be "safe", or are you really here to pursue the most effective path
to loss? Are you really here to focus on the obvious, or are you
really here to learn some non-obvious stuff that works even better
than the obvious? The 4-phase process is far from obvious, but it
works extremely well.

And unfortunately the book does not supply a number for what
qualifies as "a lot". As a result everyone lays claim at having a
lot to lose, from the folks already at their ideal weight wanting a
few glamor pounds through folks with 200 to lose. Just claiming
you have a lot to lose doesn't make it so, you need to compare with
a lot of others.

I would like to lose about 30-40 lbs then maybe go to OWL.

Looking around you'll see that the folks with a lot to lose have
at least 3 times that much when they start. Realistically, "a
lot" means somewhere in the range of 100+ to lose.

My loss hasn't been too rapid as is now.

No one ever thinks they are losing rapidly. Relax. You are doing
fine! Move on to OWL and enjoy the extra variety coupled with the
extra loss. Step out in faith! Phase one worked well, so will
phases two and on.