Ketosis not working!

[Merryheart]

I weigh 270 lbs. I've been on the induction diet for 10 days now and the stick has not turned purple!!! :cry: The colour is half way between negative and trace. :cry: Am I doing something wrong....could it be the nicorette gum I'm chewing (I checked the ingredients, and it does not contain sugar). How much weight does a person my size usually loose on the 2 week induction diet. My head feels funny and I have to eat almost continually because of what feels like blood sugar drops. Anyone got any ideas as to what I am doing wrong ?

[MaryToU]

It is hard for anyone to know what is going on if we have no idea of what you are eating. You might try putting up a good sample of your daily foods. Also it would be better for you to do some research and chose a plan to follow. There are many different low carb plans you can follow if that is the way you chose to go.

If you look to the right of your screen you will see a link, W hich low-carb plan is right for me. This might be a good place to start.

[CindyG]

You might be just be feeling the effects of eliminating carbs from your diet. Your body does go through a withdrawl process, altough that's usually in the first week. If you're drinking a ton of water those sticks may never get any darker. They are not the best measurement as there are so many variables as to why they change color or not. Plus they only show you're burning fat, doesn't matter if it's dietary fat or body fat.

I'd also suggest reading about the different diets and chosing one. Then follow the plan exactly for the first 2 weeks. This way you'll know for sure if you can lose weight on LC.

Good Luck.

[Dazed1]

This diet works! Follow it exactly and you will lose. I have found that weight lose comes in leaps and bounds and then seems to come to a standstill, and then drops again. It is very unpredictable. Keep an acurate log of your food and that will help you. I maintain an Excel spreadsheet, but I hear many people recommend FitDay
http://fitday.com/ It takes a little getting used to but it is an excellent service. KEEP A LOG - IT REALLY HELPS!!

[kay3osu]

i get that and i wonder if you need salt? my Md put me on lotsa salt while doing lowcarb because i have hypoglycemia and it messes wiht your adrenals (which need salt) i need salt more than i need potassium. you can try and see if that helps. (how much are you peeing?) hope you feel better!!! let me know! K

[kay3osu]

another thing, chewing stimulates insulin release so maybe thr gum's not so good right now?? but i know you need it...

[Softy]

This diet works! Follow it exactly and you will lose. I have found that weight lose comes in leaps and bounds and then seems to come to a standstill, and then drops again. It is very unpredictable. Keep an acurate log of your food and that will help you. I maintain an Excel spreadsheet, but I hear many people recommend FitDay
http://fitday.com/ It takes a little getting used to but it is an excellent service. KEEP A LOG - IT REALLY HELPS!!

But I noticed we can't upload xls. extentions to this site... or can we?

[Softy]

If you have a chance pick up this book,

The Secret to Low Carb Success!: How to Get the Most Out of Your Low Carbohydrate Diet
Laura Richard

She explains ketosis strips in a very clearn manner.

For example did you know that if you drink a lot of water it disperses the ketones? Kind of like having a teaspoon of salt (ketones) in a cup of water, or having it in a gallon of water.

I never understood why my strips were light until I read that.

Now I drink my water and am satisfied with light strip readings!

[bfritz_pa]

save the $8.00 - If your breath stinks and your hunger seems supressed you are most likely in ketosis.....

1st time around I had the sticks and would get discouraged depending on the color...

I know better now that other factors come in... Mainly Water... It only measures the ketosis level via your urine. If you are dehydrated (BAD) you will see a darker color.... If you are drinking excess water (Good) you may only notice minimal color change.

[Dazed1]

Softy, I don't know about uploading .xls extensions to this site. I create my own spreadsheets with Excel. That is why I mentioned the excellent service available through FitDay http://fitday.com/. Once you learn how to juggle their portions sizes You have it made. I do a lot of copying and pasting in my system because I have a very repetitive diet. I could just as well start a searchable database with Access, but I think that is overkill. Every 2 weeks I calculate percentages for F. Cal, Sat. Cal. and Protein along with my weekly average intake. FitDay is a great service, but whatever you use - just use something.

[MickD]

I quit smoking 2 months before I started lo carbing. Gained weight while stopping smoking, losing it now.

[DaddioM]

Water, Water, Water, and exercise.

Is your shape changing (clothes fit better)? If yes don't worry about the ketosis.

Are you cheating AT ALL? Even a little bit can stall any loss.

Are you reading the nutrition labels for actual carbs instead of "net carbs"?

Bottom line if you want the best help is to post what you're eating as the first reply suggested.

GL, stick with it.

[smilinka]

Merryheart,
I went thru what you are going thru as well...I did my two week faithfully and only lost 3 pounds...I gave up all sugar, flour, pasta, rice, potato etc..i just knew i would lose real good in the first two weeks...I stayed hungry, felt sick to my stomach, and finally got the bad breath...my strips did not show me in ketosis either..i did drink tons of water though...sooo i added a little more carbs into my daily meals and now i have lost 8 pounds..soo give it some time...good luck

[Kristine]

Hi Joycey. :wave:

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll only get into ketosis if you're cutting your carbs pretty drastically - if you're just "cutting starches and sweets for now", that might not be enough.

Now, the other thing to keep in mind is that ketosis is not mandatory for weight loss. There are plans where you're not necessarily in ketosis, but you'll still lose. Ketosis just means that you're burning enough fat for some of it to be wasted and excreted in the urine, breath, etc. If you're not quite in ketosis, that means your body is *burning* the ketones you're producing. This is perfectly okay. :thup: