Ketosis question...need help

mommyxfour · 07-02-2007, 03:28 PM

Hi!

I started K/E on Thursday and have lost 10 lbs so far! I have been following plan EXACTLY. Today, I noticed a slight decrease in hunger so I decided to get some ketostrips and see what they said. I tested this afternoon and it only said trace-small amount. My urine was not watered down. I just thought with this being day 5, I would be in ketosis by now. Kimmer even says do K/E for 3-5 days. What do you think? You can look at my fit day also. The ONLY other thing I have had is spicy deli mustard, which has 5 calories and no carbs.

Thanks!

debkeversole · 07-02-2007, 03:34 PM

from what i understand..you are in ketosis!WTG! any change means you are there and some people don't ever see a change but have the other symptoms.. you said you aren't hungry...what else is going on?
WOW on the 10 pounds!

mommyxfour · 07-02-2007, 03:54 PM

It's not that I am not hungry. I just had a snack about 45 min ago and I still feel the hunger a little. I just think that it has decreased from a few days ago. From what I have read from people that are in ketosis, they have no appetite. That is definitley not me right now. I also have not had any nausea or anything. I have been having headaches everyday, but that started the first day. There was a small amount according to the sticks, also kimmer says not to go by the sticks. I just don't understand how I am going to know if I should not go by the sticks.

debkeversole · 07-02-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommyxfour

It's not that I am not hungry. I just had a snack about 45 min ago and I still feel the hunger a little. I just think that it has decreased from a few days ago. From what I have read from people that are in ketosis, they have no appetite. That is definitley not me right now. I also have not had any nausea or anything. I have been having headaches everyday, but that started the first day. There was a small amount according to the sticks, also kimmer says not to go by the sticks. I just don't understand how I am going to know if I should not go by the sticks.

sounds like you are in induction flu. which for me lasted about 3 days. i have steadily been in ketosis since and do have moments when i am hungry but not like i usually do AND i am able to stop eating after a pretty reasonably amount of food, which i have never experienced before!

do a search for induction flu and see if that is similar to what's going on with you!

ekrulo · 07-02-2007, 04:34 PM

Mommyxfour -- CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCH A GREAT LOSS - WOW!!!!!

Ketosis can confuse me a little, too... When I'm following Atkins'72 induction (<20 carbs and higher fat), my ketostix show dark purple.
The past week I'm following Kimkins (basically the same as Atkins'72 except leaner meat/lower fat) and my ketostix only show light pink/small.
I don't worry about it so long as I'm losing, it's all good, right?!!!

Antigone · 07-02-2007, 04:39 PM

Actually I am confused as well. I am supposed to be in ketosis but I still have appetite. Two weeks ago it was so hard to get food down, but now, I have been eating clean for like a week already and I still have appetite! Ketosticks are not available here so I can't check.

smash · 07-02-2007, 05:23 PM

debkeversole- where did you get your avatar I LOVE CSI!?

mommyxfour · 07-02-2007, 05:28 PM

I guess now I am even more confused. I thought the purpose of K/E was to put you into ketosis, so if I am not even sure I am in it, when do I add some veggies???? I am okay eating this way, I really don't mind it, but a little "extra" would be nice. Like Antigone said, I still have appetite, so as far as what I have read, that would mean I am not in ketosis. However, this is the end of day 5 for me. Ugghhh! I am so confused.

janamonkey · 07-02-2007, 06:20 PM

If it makes you feel better I've never lost my appetite completely in ketosis. Sucky, but I just deal with it. I'm not ravenous either, I just get hungry for meals.

Swifty1014 · 07-02-2007, 07:27 PM

Dont trust the strips too much. Many things like the amount of fat you eat, water intake, excerise can affect them. i test when i first wake up in the morning. I dont really lose my app either, its more killing cravings and feeling fuller or more in control.

debkeversole · 07-03-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smash

debkeversole- where did you get your avatar I LOVE CSI!?

Threadjack: i was searching for blinkies and since i have discovered photobucket and figured out how to use it i have become such a graphics ho! save my avatar to your computer and you too can be a CSI addict

:end threadjack!

!

Hopefultobemomtomax · 07-03-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommyxfour

I guess now I am even more confused. I thought the purpose of K/E was to put you into ketosis, so if I am not even sure I am in it, when do I add some veggies???? I am okay eating this way, I really don't mind it, but a little "extra" would be nice. Like Antigone said, I still have appetite, so as far as what I have read, that would mean I am not in ketosis. However, this is the end of day 5 for me. Ugghhh! I am so confused.

I still get hungry too at mealtime, and sometimes more often, check your calories, and know when you are eating your eating healthy and on your plan, not goobs of M&M's. Ketosis can be different for everyone, I am more in control of my hunger, my cravings, and the loss of appetite completly only lasted for me for a few days and little by little my appetite has come back, it should. You can't loose long term weight by starving yourself, and having no appetite at all. Keep up what you are doing, drink lots of water, and eat on plan, you'll be fine.

mommyxfour · 07-03-2007, 08:35 AM

Thanks everyone! I think I will stick with K/E for a few more days and then add a few veggies.

Lioness0455 · 07-03-2007, 09:39 AM

The purpose of K/E is to get ourselves into Ketosis, yes, but that is done by bringing our carb level down to biologically zero so that our body will use up the glycogen that is stored in our livers and muscles.

How quickly those reserves are used depends upon how carby our diet was before we began K/E and how much muscle mass we have. The more muscle mass, and the more over on carbs we were before we began, the more glycogen that can be stored. The more glycogen stored, the more time it takes to enter into deep Ketosis.

The average person on K/E eats between 2 and 8 carbs per day. Dr. Atkins taught that at this carb level, (2 to 8) the body treats the carbs as if you were not eating any at all. On your fitday, I noticed that you have been eating 10 to 20 carbs per day. Mostly 20. Far more than average. And the same amount of carbs allowed on general Kimkins.

So even though you are well within the K/E guidelines as stated, (unlimited lean protein), since your choice among those foods leans towards using lots of egg beaters, it's going to take you longer than 5 days to get there. About the same amount of time it would take you if you had just started with general Kimkins itself.

Generally speaking it's carbs that make us hungry, due to the insulin spike that results. And hunger is usually a sign that we are over-eating carbs. However, it can also come from over-eating protein, since 1/2 the protein we eat can be converted into glucose if necessary.

The fact that your hunger has decreased slightly is a good sign. It probably means you are on the verge of switching over.

However, there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding what "losing" one's appetite really is. Kimmer described it as "nothing sounding good" so she didn't want to eat anything. Other's have described it as forgetting to eat. It doesn't mean that you NEVER get hungry, because when the blood sugar falls to a certain level, hunger occurs whether you are in Ketosis or not.

We are talking about being "satisfied" with far less food. Being able to go 6 or even 8 hours without eating and not feeling like you are going to starve to death if you don't eat something right now. Like how you feel on a typical low calorie, low fat diet. Hungry all the time, whether you've eaten or not.

Losing your appetite is about stabilizing of blood sugars, which some folks, depending upon how badly their insulin resistance is, and how easily insulin is produced for them, don't get the same degree of non-hunger that other folks do. Because it is actually insulin that causes the hunger.

Which is what K/E is technically all about. Driving your carbs down so low that insulin is not produced, or at least, barely. Thus controlling the false hunger that Insulin produces. The hunger that makes you want to eat non stop.

jennpleez · 07-05-2007, 06:08 PM

Vickie, Your post is very informative ~ Thanks!

Would you mind clarifying a few things for me?

1)If I am in ketosis, does that mean I'm definitely burning fat?

2)If I eat too much protein how will I know? Will it kick me out of ketosis?

3)Does this sound like a good trade off:
a- eating chicken and tuna, etc all day and still being unsatisfied.
vs
b- eating bacon and a hard boiled egg at 9am and then eating a taco-less taco salad at 5pm and being satisfied.

4) Should I expect to get to the place of eating only a hard boiled egg and throwing in some tuna if I feel like going crazy? (maybe in darker ketosis?)

5)Should I expect to get to the place where "bad" food no longer even tempts me at all, as opposed to just being able to resist the temptation?

TIA! You're so kind to share your knowledge with us newbies!

~smiles~
Jenn

07-02-2007, 03:28 PM	#1
mommyxfour Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 138 Gallery: mommyxfour Stats: 267/267/155 WOE: Protein Power Start Date: restart 11/19/2007	Ketosis question...need help Hi! I started K/E on Thursday and have lost 10 lbs so far! I have been following plan EXACTLY. Today, I noticed a slight decrease in hunger so I decided to get some ketostrips and see what they said. I tested this afternoon and it only said trace-small amount. My urine was not watered down. I just thought with this being day 5, I would be in ketosis by now. Kimmer even says do K/E for 3-5 days. What do you think? You can look at my fit day also. The ONLY other thing I have had is spicy deli mustard, which has 5 calories and no carbs. Thanks! __________________ ~Meagen~ My fit day: http://fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJourn...ner=mommyxfour

07-02-2007, 07:27 PM	#10
Swifty1014 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 717 Gallery: Swifty1014 Stats: No Sugar Added WOE: Atkins	Dont trust the strips too much. Many things like the amount of fat you eat, water intake, excerise can affect them. i test when i first wake up in the morning. I dont really lose my app either, its more killing cravings and feeling fuller or more in control. Last edited by Swifty1014 : 07-02-2007 at 07:28 PM.

07-03-2007, 09:39 AM	#14
Lioness0455 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 161 Gallery: Lioness0455 Stats: 256.5/171/140 WOE: Lower-Fat Atkins Start Date: 1/3/2007	The purpose of K/E is to get ourselves into Ketosis, yes, but that is done by bringing our carb level down to biologically zero so that our body will use up the glycogen that is stored in our livers and muscles. How quickly those reserves are used depends upon how carby our diet was before we began K/E and how much muscle mass we have. The more muscle mass, and the more over on carbs we were before we began, the more glycogen that can be stored. The more glycogen stored, the more time it takes to enter into deep Ketosis. The average person on K/E eats between 2 and 8 carbs per day. Dr. Atkins taught that at this carb level, (2 to 8) the body treats the carbs as if you were not eating any at all. On your fitday, I noticed that you have been eating 10 to 20 carbs per day. Mostly 20. Far more than average. And the same amount of carbs allowed on general Kimkins. So even though you are well within the K/E guidelines as stated, (unlimited lean protein), since your choice among those foods leans towards using lots of egg beaters, it's going to take you longer than 5 days to get there. About the same amount of time it would take you if you had just started with general Kimkins itself. Generally speaking it's carbs that make us hungry, due to the insulin spike that results. And hunger is usually a sign that we are over-eating carbs. However, it can also come from over-eating protein, since 1/2 the protein we eat can be converted into glucose if necessary. The fact that your hunger has decreased slightly is a good sign. It probably means you are on the verge of switching over. However, there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding what "losing" one's appetite really is. Kimmer described it as "nothing sounding good" so she didn't want to eat anything. Other's have described it as forgetting to eat. It doesn't mean that you NEVER get hungry, because when the blood sugar falls to a certain level, hunger occurs whether you are in Ketosis or not. We are talking about being "satisfied" with far less food. Being able to go 6 or even 8 hours without eating and not feeling like you are going to starve to death if you don't eat something right now. Like how you feel on a typical low calorie, low fat diet. Hungry all the time, whether you've eaten or not. Losing your appetite is about stabilizing of blood sugars, which some folks, depending upon how badly their insulin resistance is, and how easily insulin is produced for them, don't get the same degree of non-hunger that other folks do. Because it is actually insulin that causes the hunger. Which is what K/E is technically all about. Driving your carbs down so low that insulin is not produced, or at least, barely. Thus controlling the false hunger that Insulin produces. The hunger that makes you want to eat non stop. __________________ *Vickie* http://kickincarbclutter.blogspot.com

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07-02-2007, 03:34 PM	#2
debkeversole Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: southern ky Posts: 7,098 Gallery: debkeversole Stats: 370/333/199 WOE: curves challenge Start Date: jan 2006	from what i understand..you are in ketosis!WTG! any change means you are there and some people don't ever see a change but have the other symptoms.. you said you aren't hungry...what else is going on? WOW on the 10 pounds!

07-02-2007, 03:54 PM	#3
mommyxfour Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 138 Gallery: mommyxfour Stats: 267/267/155 WOE: Protein Power Start Date: restart 11/19/2007	It's not that I am not hungry. I just had a snack about 45 min ago and I still feel the hunger a little. I just think that it has decreased from a few days ago. From what I have read from people that are in ketosis, they have no appetite. That is definitley not me right now. I also have not had any nausea or anything. I have been having headaches everyday, but that started the first day. There was a small amount according to the sticks, also kimmer says not to go by the sticks. I just don't understand how I am going to know if I should not go by the sticks.

07-02-2007, 04:34 PM	#5
ekrulo Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 51 Gallery: ekrulo Stats: 250.5/212.5/140 WOE: LC/Atkins'72/Kimkins Start Date: June 1, 2007	Mommyxfour -- CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCH A GREAT LOSS - WOW!!!!! Ketosis can confuse me a little, too... When I'm following Atkins'72 induction (<20 carbs and higher fat), my ketostix show dark purple. The past week I'm following Kimkins (basically the same as Atkins'72 except leaner meat/lower fat) and my ketostix only show light pink/small. I don't worry about it so long as I'm losing, it's all good, right?!!!

07-02-2007, 04:39 PM	#6
Antigone MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 1,540 Gallery: Antigone Stats: 220/195/130 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: mid-August 2008 (restart for the nth time)	Actually I am confused as well. I am supposed to be in ketosis but I still have appetite. Two weeks ago it was so hard to get food down, but now, I have been eating clean for like a week already and I still have appetite! Ketosticks are not available here so I can't check.

07-02-2007, 05:23 PM	#7
smash Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Brenham, Texas Posts: 105 Gallery: smash Stats: 152/150/120 WOE: Induction Start Date: 8-4-2008	debkeversole- where did you get your avatar I LOVE CSI!?

07-02-2007, 05:28 PM	#8
mommyxfour Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 138 Gallery: mommyxfour Stats: 267/267/155 WOE: Protein Power Start Date: restart 11/19/2007	I guess now I am even more confused. I thought the purpose of K/E was to put you into ketosis, so if I am not even sure I am in it, when do I add some veggies???? I am okay eating this way, I really don't mind it, but a little "extra" would be nice. Like Antigone said, I still have appetite, so as far as what I have read, that would mean I am not in ketosis. However, this is the end of day 5 for me. Ugghhh! I am so confused.

07-02-2007, 06:20 PM	#9
janamonkey Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,388 Gallery: janamonkey Stats: 200/145/130	If it makes you feel better I've never lost my appetite completely in ketosis. Sucky, but I just deal with it. I'm not ravenous either, I just get hungry for meals.

07-03-2007, 08:35 AM	#13
mommyxfour Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 138 Gallery: mommyxfour Stats: 267/267/155 WOE: Protein Power Start Date: restart 11/19/2007	Thanks everyone! I think I will stick with K/E for a few more days and then add a few veggies.

07-05-2007, 06:08 PM	#15
jennpleez Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 12 Gallery: jennpleez	Vickie, Your post is very informative ~ Thanks! Would you mind clarifying a few things for me? 1)If I am in ketosis, does that mean I'm definitely burning fat? 2)If I eat too much protein how will I know? Will it kick me out of ketosis? 3)Does this sound like a good trade off: a- eating chicken and tuna, etc all day and still being unsatisfied. vs b- eating bacon and a hard boiled egg at 9am and then eating a taco-less taco salad at 5pm and being satisfied. 4) Should I expect to get to the place of eating only a hard boiled egg and throwing in some tuna if I feel like going crazy? (maybe in darker ketosis?) 5)Should I expect to get to the place where "bad" food no longer even tempts me at all, as opposed to just being able to resist the temptation? TIA! You're so kind to share your knowledge with us newbies! ~smiles~ Jenn