Ketosis
 

Hi guys ! Im new to Atkins & am on day four of induction. How do I know if I'm truly in ketosis? I don't have the extra funds to buy the sticks, although I could if I really have to depending on what you all say :) I've not had the bad breath or any flu symptoms, but I've had great decrease in hunger, which means a lot since I ate all the time. I have been eating cream cheese & maybe too much cheese?

I think the lack of hunger is a good sign you are. I got some strips recently and they show I'm in ketosis which surprised me at first because I was expecting to feel more different (the breath and the flu symptoms). Well, I feel great and I have no hunger and I'm in ketosis. Sounds like you probably are too :-)

I think Atkins says to limit cheese to 4 oz?

You can exercise lightly to burn a little extra calories. You know that your body is not running off of readily available blood sugars while your in ketosis, so it is hard to have great bursts of energy for working out, but it is possible if you do it lightly. Just make sure your eating plenty of protein (complete proteins) to keep your body from going catabolic on your muscles, and defeat your exercise.

Thanks :) I might go check at Walgreens today & see if they have any sticks, just to see :) I hope I'm in ketosis! Good to know maybe I am and can bypass the icky feeling! Yesterday afternoon I felt a bit blah but today, feel great!!! I love this plan!

The first few days of induction I felt a little tired, but not anything approaching 'flu'. I don't have the funky breath either, I even made my husband smell me to be sure! I use Reli On brand ketosis test strips once a day or so just for motivation. I bought them at Walmart for $5 or $6, you have to ask for them at the pharmacy.

Some people may enter ketosis after the first day, some take a week or longer. However some signs to look out for are urinating a lot, metallic taste in mouth and cotton mouth :/
Hope this helps

I was really shocked to see that on day two I was in ketosis (the stick was light pink but there) so I thought maybe they were just old even though not expired and I went and bought more and sure enough those came back with a color too. I havent felt any of the signs and I didnt last time I was on Atkins either. So there is a good chance by day 4 you are.



And the thing someone said about exercise... are you saying that vigorous exercise is not ok at this point? just this point? or all points? I run/walk a mile every day but trust me I dont want too lol not trying to find a way out of it but if its doing more bad than good I sure dont want to do that either.

I definitely have the meatllic taste in my mouth for sure, yuck LOL but a good sign :D

I would like to know as well because honestly, I plan on working out on the elliptical and treadmill an hour (or more) 5 to 6 days a week...and I don't think that would be categorized as "light" exercise

Should you exercise?
 

I read the book "Why we get fat and what to do about it" and it said exercise should not be done while you are doing low carb, but there are so many sources of info. I think you should do what you feel good doing. (I dont want to run) :) I wouldnt over do it though! Go easy!