My wife has been on the diet for about 10 days without losing a single pound. She is in heavy ketosis but still is not shedding any weight. She is beginning to think it does not work despite the fact I have lost 33 pounds over the last 5 months. She is following the Atkins rules very closely except she is not taking L-carnitine. Please help before we head to our favorite Italian restaurant. See ya, Cred

I also think that the water might have something to do with it. If the strips show high ketosis - in the dark range - that could mean that the person is dehydrated and needs to drink more. The color on the strips doesn't matter, as long as there's something.

Hi Cred

That is frustrating. I agree that drinking more water might help. Check that she is not eating far to much on not enough food. If you don't eat enough then you will not lose and if you eat far to much then you supply all the fat you need and you will not burn your own body fat. There is a sweet spot in the middle. Tell her to be patient and see how things are after another week. Make sure you take measurements. Sometimes these change even if the scales don't. Muscle weighs more than body fat.

i know how she feels because i restarted induction and have drank plenty of water and no cheats and i have lost only 10lbs since may 29, gained back 2 and then lost the two. im sure it was water weight. it can be frustrating but hang in there and drink plenty of water she may be dehydrated and not enough movement. i think sometimes im not getting enough exercise. it is hard to find time to get on the tread mill. the more exercise and water the better the loss.

have agreat day.

Myfirst question would be how many calories is she taking in? I know Atkins doesn't count calories, (just carb grams), but IF she is eating over maintenance levels there still won't be a loss. I am looking at the obvious first!