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Archive through March 18, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: Health Center (ARCHIVES): Atkins Diet For Dummies (Meaning Me): ARCHIVES: Archive through March 18, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 5:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dee, do an online search for Ketostix or ketone testing strips. They cost a fortune in stores. Even Walmart wanted over $20 for 50 strips. I got 100 strips for under $10 plus shipping at someplace.

ACKKK!! I only have 2 more weeks (possibly, maybe, estimated) till DH gets home. I've lost 22 lbs. and I'd really like to make it an even 25. My carb count has been higher the last few days (darn pistachios), so I better get serious if I am going to do it!

Capecodkathy
Member

01-23-2004

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
When I was at the grocery store this morning I noticed in the Atkin section they have the testing strips.. I refrained from buying them, even though the ones I have -have been open for more than 6 months.. I know I am losing.. and so I think maybe I need to skip this aspect... similar to trying not to step on the darn scales... HA! My happy moment this week was allowing my jeans to go through the dryer.. and being able to get into them. Previously I made sure they avoided the dryer! I have a couple of outfits I bought a year ago...(ordered online, fit unseen) haven't liked the way they looked on me.. so being able to fit into them is my next goal..

Capecodkathy
Member

01-23-2004

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 5:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Not1worry.. congratulations on the 22 loss.. way to go!You should be able to do 3 before DH returns.. how about adding some exercise?? Maybe getting out and walking? I have a treadmill in my basement, and I know when I lost weight before, adding 30 minutes a day on it really helped..so far, this time, I am avoiding it... hoping the weather will warm up enough to walk outside..
I think the price of anything related to Atkins is ridiculous.. they report that we are eating ourselves to death.. and yet trying to lose weight costs more than what got us here... go figure! }

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
CCK,
But were you using them in the morning last year also?

I always paid under $10 for the ketostix in my local pharmacy.

Capecodkathy
Member

01-23-2004

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 6:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
RS,
yes, last year I used them in the AM..

I did test last night...with no change... but knowing they have been opened more than 6 months...

Then again...maybe I am reading them wrong.. should the entire test area change color? I did notice the outskirts were purple...

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 7:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
CCK,
If you opened them over a year ago, they are definitely not good anymore. Get the Ketostix and do it at night and see what happens. The little tab on them should be the same shade, whatever that might be. It will probably be in the mid range of about 6 colors/shades. The amount of water you drink will also affect the reading.


Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 10:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This may give you some idea.

ts

Fabnsab
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 1:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I bought my ketostix at walgreens for 12.99 for 50 of them and I read on another board that alot of people cut them in half so they get 100.

This has been a rough week for me. Its been six weeks without one cheat, only water to drink and I haven't lost in nearly three weeks. I think its awfully soon for me to stall.

I wanted to cheat so bad this week so I incorprated some nuts even though I am still on induction...the next day, I am out of ketosis. I HATE my body. This seems to be going alot smoother for everyone I know.Its the first diet in my life that I have stuck with and I still feel like its useless. I am not giving up but it is a bit upsetting that I have worked so hard, only to stall after 3 weeks and then to fall out of ketosis over nuts, something so many people seem fine eating.

I am eating mainly meat and veggies and trying to stay away from cheese. I am also trying to eat little things throughout the day because I think part of my problem is that I dont eat enough. I went all day yesterday without eating till 1am when I got home from work, then I ate some ham and cheese.

Today, I ate about 5 times, all small things. I hope this works because I am doing so well on this. I dont want to lose faith. Leave it to me to have a hard time losing even though I have been perfect on it...

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 9:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fabnsab, up above, Rslover wrote "I remember reading that anything below 1400 calories causes your metabolism to actually decrease." I read this too (can't remember the exact #), but the predominant message was to never go too long w/o eating because your metabolism will slow. That could be why you have stalled. All day without any food is a really long time. That's good that you ate 5 times yesterday.

I haven't had a chance to read much of this thread lately. I wonder if you're getting bored with meat and vegs. Atkins.com has lists of foods and the carbs in them. Maybe if you ate a variety of the really low carb vegs. Also, re: nuts, you probably already know this, but you can only eat a very small amount. You can have a few olives too.

Good luck! Try to stay encouraged! Don't stop eating! I wish I had more to say to help you keep you from losing faith! Hang in there!

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 1:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fab,
HM is right. You must eat breakfast to get your metabolism started. I will try and help you if I can. I never heard of cutting the strips in half. I would not do it because the tab is so tiny to begin with. Are you in ketosis? If so, what is the range? I know you've been on the diet for awhile, so did you go back to induction because you stopped losing? Don't be discouraged by the plateau. I'm not sure it is the nuts, unless you are eating cashews which is a no no, but I don't think you are. Some people gain if they eat too much cheese. I believe the max is 4 oz. of hard cheese a day. Olives are loaded with salt, so I wouldn't recommend them if you tend to retain water. Definitely eating the smaller meals more often should help. Do you snack after dinner? I listed all the tiny gram amounts because so many people neglect to count them. For instance that chocolate syrup, may say 0 carbs but if you happen to have 4 T., that would be 1 carb. Hope this helps a bit.

Grumpy
Member

02-08-2004

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 3:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fab, You really need to eat within a 6 hour waking moment, with maybe a snack after 2 hours or so. Even if you are not hungry, you should have a snack or you will store the fat and not lose. I personally hate nuts, chips (Atkins or otherwise), and things of that nature, so I dont know if they make you stall. If you like pop, try the diet rite, they have all different flavors now. But no more than 3 a day. I hate plain water, I may have a small amount sometimes, but I just dont like it.

I just found the ketostix, didnt get them or try them yet. They wanted about $20 for them. Too much $$ for me rite now. Although I would like to find some cheaper ones to find out what this ketosis is.

I really miss my mousse!!!! Ive had this stupid sore throat and bad cough for the last few days

and when I last made me some, it really bothered my throat.

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 5:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Grumpy,
Please drink water!! Ketones are a waste-product your body must flush from its system. Water will help you excrete ketones in your urine and in your respiration. You get keto-breath if you don't. It is bad for your liver too. A good rule of thumb for everyone is to drink at least 64 oz. of water each day (pure water, not just fluids) and an additional 8oz of water for each 25 pounds you are hoping to lose! Feel better.

CCK,
Here is a better picture of the color chart. The moderate range is where you want to be.

kc

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 9:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Because of my daughter's party and my job as the hostess, I did not eat anything from 7:00am to 7:00pm...will this ruin my diet now?

Also, I did not know about only having three diet sodas...drank much more than that today.

I will go get the ketostix tomorrow! Thank you all for all the great information!

Fabnsab
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 11:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. Eating more has always been an issue for me. I work nights so I wake up around 2pm, then I go straight to work and when I get there, I am bogged down with things to do, then the dinner rush starts so I usually eat at 10pm or later as my first(sometimes only) meal. Its always been how I am but I am trying to change.

Rslover, I never went off induction because I have 100lbs to lose so I decided to stay on it till 50lbs were gone. I have been in the small to moderate range of ketosis these past 6 weeks then two days ago, it didn't change at all and I have to assume its the nuts(pistachios), even though atkins says its ok to incorporate them if you're staying on induction.

I will admit to probably going over 4 ounces of cheese every now and then but those days are over.

I made 4lbs of my parmesan chicken nuggets and I ziplocked them so I have been carrying them with me for my snacks, along with cauliflower. I wish I can say I'm an overeater but I'm not. If I were, I'd have no problem fitting all this food in. I just don't think about food. I am the strangest heavy person you'll find!

I am off work so I will wake up early, make some sort of breakfast and go work out. Wish me luck!

Deesandy, I dont think it'll ruin your diet because it was only one day but make sure you eat more often. Don't be like me!

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Monday, March 15, 2004 - 11:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fab - are you remembering to eat enough fats? your body needs fat to burn it and sometimes cutting that too much can stall you... use some olive oil on veggies and salads, and macadamia nuts always helped me over the hump. Hang in there!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, March 15, 2004 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Question: If you make Kool Aid with Splenda, can you drink it on Atkins?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, March 15, 2004 - 5:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Also, are there any breath mints, gum, that are okay? (My dh started Atkins 2 weeks ago today. He lost 17 lbs so far. But man did his breath get bad.)

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Monday, March 15, 2004 - 7:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That's the keto breath that ketosis can sometimes cause. Have him drink more water and see if it helps. Luckily, I never encountered that. If you read the sugar free labels I'm sure you'll find something. If you manage to drink all the water you are supposed to, some kool-aid probably wouldn't hurt.

Justavice
Member

07-12-2003

Monday, March 15, 2004 - 8:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fabnsab- Have you thought about low-carb protein shakes? I also have a hard time making time to eat when I am at work and have found the EAS low carb chocolate shakes to be wonderful. They have a lot of protein and taste way better than the protein powders. They can be a bit pricy (Walmart has 4 for $5.86) but definitely cheaper than a Starbuck's coffee or McDonald's breakfast sandwich every day.

Fabnsab
Member

08-07-2000

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Julieboo, I can't imagine the koolaid would be bad as long as it was a treat every now and then. I am lucky that I didn't get the "keto breath" either but sometimes, if you chew on parlsey or mint, that helps alot and is 0 sugars.

Justavice, thanks for the tip about the shakes. I haven't tried them because I am usually not good with things that taste "off", ifyou know what I mean. I'm pretty picky. Maybe I'll give it a go.

Dahli, I think I am most definately eating enough fats. I will have some cheese daily(I did cut down though) and I use butter with eggs, and ranch with salad so I think I am covered there.

One thing I didn't mention is that I do have the whole hypothyroid thing and I haven't taken my medicine for 6 months. I just filled it the other day- the next day was when I was out of ketosis so I wondered if that had anything to do with it. I know my Dr. said my metabolism is basically nonexistent. Also, I retain so much water that I can press down on my shin and my skin goes in about an inch like a big divet. I call it my circus sideshow. It freaks people out. I thought all this water consumption would help that but it hasn't. What can I say, I'm one rare case.

I am so glad I have all of you to share these ups and downs with. It makes going through this so much more enjoyable. Sorry that my last few posts have been downers. I hope you all are continuing your successes.

Jhezzie
Member

07-05-2001

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 1:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Don't feel alone, Fab. I was doing great until Friday. I guess I didn't eat enough and fell off the wagon with chips. Then Saturday, I was determined to behave and then didn't. Forget Sunday. I didn't lose my mind or anything, but today was a fresh start and it was successful. I'm still about 5lbs. down, so all was not lost. Tomorrow is another day. My next hurdle is water. I hate plain water! I worked up to 3qts. a day before, but it's hard. Oh well.

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 9:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Aw Fab - don't worry about it, downer or not the posts help keep everybody moving in the right direction and sometimes you just gotta let it out - I feel for you as I'm going through some similarly frustrating stuff. Hang in there you're doing great!

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 2:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is there a good corned beef recipe for tonight?

Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 5:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I don't know what it is, but each time I go to my mom's I lose 2 lbs. So I am down 24 lbs. this morning! I think I can get that 1 more lb. off before DH returns in the next 2 weeks. I can't figure out what I do differently when I visit. I don't exercise, I don't drink enough water, I don't get enough sleep, I eat an Atkins bar at least once, sometimes twice a day. We went to an awesome Italian place one night and the pasta dishes looked so heavenly. I had crab cakes after the waitress said they didn't have much breading in them. But I was worried I'd come home and find I'd gained.

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I have a question, and please don't beat me up too much...

Has anyone taken diet pills while doing the Atkin's diet? In the past I have used just diet pills, only to gain weight back. This time I am trying Atkins. I am wondering if I could combine the two for better results.

What I am looking at taking is One A Day Weight Smart.