Oh dearest moderators (or other knowledgeable souls)...had something happen yesterday I've never had happen before...

Had an awesome workout...chest and tris, then 30 mins on the elliptical. Worked really hard and pushed all my limits! The wierd part is that after I got off the elliptical I could smell nail polish! Couldn't get the taste out of my mouth. Now I never went on Atkins so I doubt I've ever been in really deep ketosis...is that what that was? Pretty freaky. Went and downed 1/2 a protein shake and it went away.

Lisa

Sounds like that "amonia" smell they warn you about so vehemently in the BFL book Yes, it sounds like Ketosis. I've smelled it as amonia, as sweetness and as just plain old bad breath some days. More water and some food (protein) and it goes away.

Makes sense, you are losing fat this week and you are monitoring your food with a push to keeping protein higher. This would be a good time to make sure you get your water in - protein is naturally diuretic, more in means more water required.

N

Nat, I have always (or 75% of the time anyway), smelled the amonia smell after working out. Is it just ketosis? Why does BFL warn against it? Even when not LCing I have smelled it.

Can you tell us more?

Janice

Janice, BFL warns against it because it is a low fat program. Low fat thinking = Ketosis is bad for you. They aren't perfect Ketosis is a normal biological state that we all enter into at some point in our lives. Chances are if you've had a good long sleep when you wake up you're in ketosis. There is a great thread about this in the Plan Comparisons forum called The Zone Vs. Ketosis for a more detailed explanation

Nat

Thanks for confirming my suspicions...it was more a "neat" experience than anything else. Thought I had inhaled some of the vinegar/water stuff we spray on the equipment to wipe it down but it smelled different.

Lisa

I have had to throw away many a hat due to the ketosmell from exercising in ketosis.

As Nat said, more water will help, but it's not going to go away. Part of the fun of LC I guess ..