Atkins and Low Carb Weight Loss
Moving in and out of ketosis?
Hi Mrs. Ragnar!
First of all, no disclaimer is needed, ever. There are surgery types of all kinds represented in this group, and also plenty of NON-surgery folks. All are welcome and we feel lucky to have your point of view represented here, too.
Regarding "ketostix" -- The purple that you see on the stick does accurately reflect the presence of ketones in your urine, but keep in mind that the production of ketones varies greatly during the day, even if you are thought to be in "benign dietary ketosis." For instance, many people find that they produce more purple in the morning, or some in the afternoon. Some are in ketosis and produce a constant quantity of purple sticks, and some of us go into ketosis and NEVER turn a stick purple (that would be me!).
I would guess that if you are keeping your carbs real low, and getting a purple ketostix reading at least once a day, you can count yourself "in"!
May I recommend that you take a look at the daily CARb Accountability Thread, and take a look at what folks are eating when going for the low-carb way of eating. It's also a good idea to post what YOU eat, so that we can help you "tweak" your eating plan, if you need it, or else to give other low-carbers a good idea of what there is to eat, out there in the big wide world.
Nice to have you on board!
First of all, no disclaimer is needed, ever. There are surgery types of all kinds represented in this group, and also plenty of NON-surgery folks. All are welcome and we feel lucky to have your point of view represented here, too.
Regarding "ketostix" -- The purple that you see on the stick does accurately reflect the presence of ketones in your urine, but keep in mind that the production of ketones varies greatly during the day, even if you are thought to be in "benign dietary ketosis." For instance, many people find that they produce more purple in the morning, or some in the afternoon. Some are in ketosis and produce a constant quantity of purple sticks, and some of us go into ketosis and NEVER turn a stick purple (that would be me!).
I would guess that if you are keeping your carbs real low, and getting a purple ketostix reading at least once a day, you can count yourself "in"!
May I recommend that you take a look at the daily CARb Accountability Thread, and take a look at what folks are eating when going for the low-carb way of eating. It's also a good idea to post what YOU eat, so that we can help you "tweak" your eating plan, if you need it, or else to give other low-carbers a good idea of what there is to eat, out there in the big wide world.
Nice to have you on board!
Interested in low-carb nutrition? Thinking of trying Atkins? Want to try high-fat and/or high-protein eating? Whether or not you have had (or are thinking about) WLS http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/atkins/
For most of this month, I have kept my carbs under 30, most days under 20. I am losing again after only losing 4# in Jan. Do I really need sticks to see if I am in ketosis? Can't I just keep the carbs low?
66 yrs young, 4'11" hw 220, goal 120 met at 12 months, cw 129 learning Maintainance
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Ketostix are a gimmick, in my opinion. They're positive reinforcement for people who need concrete validation that they're on the right track, but they just don't provide reliable feedback in my opinion.
Honestly, I just don't turn the sticks purple. And of course since the sticks are measuring ketones in the urine, if people drink (and excrete) a lot of water that dilutes the ketones -- which would be really a healthy thing to do anyway -- they won't get a ketone reaction on the sticks. Ever.
In short, ketostix are NOT a requirement, or even suggested, for low-carb eating. Frankly, four pounds a month is a healthy loss!!! Keep up the great work!
Honestly, I just don't turn the sticks purple. And of course since the sticks are measuring ketones in the urine, if people drink (and excrete) a lot of water that dilutes the ketones -- which would be really a healthy thing to do anyway -- they won't get a ketone reaction on the sticks. Ever.
In short, ketostix are NOT a requirement, or even suggested, for low-carb eating. Frankly, four pounds a month is a healthy loss!!! Keep up the great work!
Interested in low-carb nutrition? Thinking of trying Atkins? Want to try high-fat and/or high-protein eating? Whether or not you have had (or are thinking about) WLS http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/atkins/
Yeah, I've yet to have a purple stick, even though I'm losing weight :)
The Carb Accountability threads have been eye-openers for me, if only because I didn't realize how many carbs I was *really* taking in, even thought I thought I wasn't.
Thanks so much for your insight--this is such a wonderful group
The Carb Accountability threads have been eye-openers for me, if only because I didn't realize how many carbs I was *really* taking in, even thought I thought I wasn't.
Thanks so much for your insight--this is such a wonderful group
Well I have to agree, it really IS a dandy and exceptionally helpful bunch of folks we have here!
And I also agree that it can be eye-opening to see how many sneaky carbs there are, in a day!
Just a few weeks ago, a friend was telling me that she is eating low-carb, because she only eats the meat when she goes out to Taco Bell -- and then we discovered that their "taco meat" was actually about 2/3rds oatmeal by weight. Very yummy stuff, but kinda high in the carbs! We don't always realize what we're eating!
And I also agree that it can be eye-opening to see how many sneaky carbs there are, in a day!
Just a few weeks ago, a friend was telling me that she is eating low-carb, because she only eats the meat when she goes out to Taco Bell -- and then we discovered that their "taco meat" was actually about 2/3rds oatmeal by weight. Very yummy stuff, but kinda high in the carbs! We don't always realize what we're eating!
Interested in low-carb nutrition? Thinking of trying Atkins? Want to try high-fat and/or high-protein eating? Whether or not you have had (or are thinking about) WLS http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/atkins/
