Ketostix
 

How many people use ketostix to check whether they are in ketosis? And how often? I know they're addictive ;) but I'm wondering if they're truly useful at times as a measurement of whether we're following protocol properly. Because I'm pretty sure I am but I wonder sometimes if I'm missing something and the ketostix would indicate that.

I bought some the day I went for dinner and there were shredded carrots on my salad... That was about a month ago, there were 50 in the jar and I probably have about 40-45 left... I don't want it to be an obsession so I try not to check unless I feel fat (TOM)! lol

I used them maybe twice a week, except when traveling... then I used daily. I found them useful, but they do not always work well for everyone. I was pretty much always in the moderate, my sister barely registered... yet we were both clearly in ketosis. I believe Wannabe didn't register at all.

Go figure. :shrug:

I am just beginning week 20 on IP and I have never used the ketostix and they have never been mentioned. Seems to work for me.

Ketostix
 

Anyone else use them? And are we suposed to be n ketosis during phase 1? My test strip showed only trace amounts of ketones in my urine, maybe thats why im at a stall.

If you are doing the program as written every day with out add on tweaks or cheats, yes, you will be in ketosis. You won't need the strips because your body will be telling you.

If you are well hydrated you will only show trace amounts of ketones to small ketones. That is fine and that is where you burn fat the best.

If you are someone who loses ketones on their breath or sweat or has them circulating for longer in their blood, then the urine test will not be as accurate.

You don't really need to use the sticks. It is just very important to follow the diet protocol closely.

I got off track for a few days but have been 100% back op since yesterday. Thanks.

Ketostix Strips
 

Here I am again - I'm just not a happy camper
My coach gave me some Ketostix Strips to confirm if I'm actually in Ketosis as my losses are quit slow.

Has anybody had any experience with these?
I just tried it before I ate dinner (wasn't sure if there was a specific time)

Basically the read out is
Negative
5 (trace)
15 (small)
40 (moderate)
80 (large)
160

Mine showed 5 - trace
Now I'm really wondering what the heck I am doing wrong.....
Emailed my coach but haven't heard back from her yet
Would love to know if others have tried and what their readout was

I have seen some people LIVE by these things, and other like myself dont worry about this... if You are following protocol then you have nothing to worry about... This is just my 5 cents!!

I also saw where someone had said people on IP don't get into the darker colours on these because of the amount of water they drink.

I hope both of you guys are right - I hate to think I've been eating like this and spending all the money for no reason.

IIWY I would test first thing in the morning. I would think that's when it would be the most concentrated and give you the most accurate result. Personally though I figure as long as I follow protocol I'm in Ketosis (and I don't need something else to obsess over!) so I haven't gotten any yet.

They are both right!

The ketostix show concentration, not a level of ketosis, so if you are drinking all the water you are supposed to, you should show up in the trace. See you are doing fine!

I have NEVER used these or tested myself I just follow what I am suppose to do!

WUV - never say never... I thought the same thing a waste of time... but

If you are in my predictament, and the coaches have looked at my food diary and there is nothing in there that would cause all this ups and downs. They are thinking the weeks that I am gaining I am kicking myself out of ketosis.. How that is, is what we have to figure out. May have a clue from someone but we will see. I guess what I am saying this is a tool for the coaches to help us if we are really having issues. I can't really think my body is done losing weight but am beginning to wonder what is up.

So the vote on ketosis stiks I would only use if like me you have stopped losing or are so up and down the coaches can't figure it out and this is just one more tool for them too.

I use to use those when I did Atkins years ago and due to all of the water I drank mine was also at the trace level. My coach this time asked me if I wanted to use them and I said no. I always know when I'm in ketosis because I have the breath to prove it and I wake up earlier in the morning. Really if you are following this diet 100% you will be in ketosis.

you would think so wouldn't you... I guess we will see in the next couple weeks for me...

I didn't say I Never would use them, I said I have never used them or tested myself. I didn't say they didn't work or weren't necessary

Thanks for input
 

Thanks for everyone's input.
I was just worried that I wasn't in Ketosis as I don't have Ketosis breath, never felt dizzy or lightheaded...
Also, I just had my 4th weigh in and went up .8 lbs!
As far as I know I have been 100% OP and just needed to verify whether I was wasting my money as my loss is slow.
My coach was baffled and gave me the strips to try.
I will try one in the morning to see if there is any difference due to concentration.

The things we worry about - Have a great night everyone!

I test 3-4 times daily and always range between light and trace. I am a very small loser. 1-2 lbs per week:-( very frustrating. My coach and I are talking about this and I am trying some different thingsbased on her recommendations to increase the losses.

I use them sporatically and also see that I am generally in the "trace" level. I think for me they just verify that I am in ketosis.

I use them every now and then, they are always in the trace to low range, once or twice they went up to med level, but I didn't drink a lot of water.

The following is what I posted on the Daily Thread on Wednesday:
I just got back from weigh in number 5 and I'm down 3. something pounds - can't recall the exact number! Certainly about time since I was up last week.

My overall loss for 5 weeks isn't great - just over 12 lbs.
Hopefully this will be a better week especially since I haven't strayed at all.

I've decided to give up a few things until Friday so I can check another Ketostix as I'm hung up on the fact that it continually shows "negative". I've stopped having sugar-free metamucil (aspartame), gum (stride & dentyne fire), Realemon juice from concentrate & Moroccan-Style Mint tea which has stevia listed. Other than those things nothing else is questionable.

If the Ketostix still shows negative then I'll attribute it to the amount of water I drink per day.

Friday:
I tested another ketostix this morning and it is showing "trace". Also I've noticed that my urine has a strange smell, and no I haven't had asparagus.
Therefore, I'm thinking I'm finally in Ketosis after 5 weeks ......

Course since I gave all of the above up I'm not sure what the culprit was, also my coach removed all restrictives as she stated some people can't handle the extra carbs.

I can live without many of them if I could only have a piece of gum - that is what I need the most! Stride or Dentyne Fire?????? Debatable

I will continue to stay away from everything until my next weigh in on Wednesday to see if my numbers have improved.

Spry is the only chewing gum approved on IP. Most people get it via the internet and seem to like it a lot . Just a tiny word of caution: "Merck Manuals reports that when people are nervous they tend to swallow air, which can cause bloating, and anxiety can cause weight loss. Air swallowing can also be caused by chewing gum or smoking, but in general those activities do not cause weight loss."

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/33...h-weight-loss/

I did not like the Spry gum, it lasted about 10 mins if that then got hard. I chew extra peppermint. I have one slice a day, my coach said as long as it is sugarfree that I could have it.

fat 0%
SOdium 0%
total carbs 2g
sugars 0g
sugar alcohol 2g
protein 0g

has less than 2% aspartame

As long as she says its ok I am all about it

some times the coaches just don't know...

I have been on IP for the last 7 days no extras, so no sweetners of any kind other than what is in the packets. No gum, no syrups, no Walden Farms, no extras... My coach stated to me that the coaches are being trained now to have their clients to have 1 restricted every day. I am doing phase 2 again to see if that boosts my loses again. Now for the gum... you never know it could be that but how do we prove it? especially since we both have cut out everything else... Good luck to you. unfortunately you may be a small loser which doesn't make anyone feel good. :hug:

My coach said Stride (any flavor) was ok as the aspartame content is very small, I tried the Dentyne Fire as many on this site said their coach approved that.

I found the Stride to be very hard and also lost its flavor very quickly whereas the Dentyne fire was much better and doesn't contain aspartame.

And then other coaches I've met said absolutely no gum - so at a loss.

Anyone use Ketostix?
 

Hi.

My name is Janelle. I've been on IP for 12 days now and I'm doing pretty well, I think...

My question is: Does anyone use Ketostix to check if they are in ketosis? If so, what kind do you use?

Never mind me...I found my answer as I'm learning how to get around the forum. :) Thanks!

I use them sometimes. Bought them at Wal Mart for about $5. For me they're more a gauge of hydration between weigh ins. I know I'm in ketosis but if I don't get enough water the ketone density goes up on the strip's scale. More water and it's lower every time.

What are Ketostix and how do they work?
 

Lately I've seen posts about using Ketostix... Well what are they and how do you use them. Sorry in advance for my ignorance Im a newbie...

Thanks in advance...

They test for Ketones in your pee, you pee on them and they turn colors, like a pregnancy test. :D Most simple explanation I could think of.

Oh, and you can get them from pharmacy places for like $10-$15 for a pack of ... 50? I think?

I would like to know more about ketostix. Do you find it helps with you, or is it another tool to obsess over. What I love about the diet is the no counting of calories. I follow 100% protocol, and I know success will come. I don't need another thing to worry about. I would love to hear people's experiences.... pros and cons with using the ketostix.

I have used them, but I don't tend to, it's one more tool to obsess over (like weighing daily). If i drop from ketosis I'd be in a spiral of shame and discontent EVERY time I had some freak fluctuation. The stix don't always show, sometimes are light so hard to see, but are a good indicator if you've slipped up somehow without realizing. I have had TOM lightly spotting this whole flipping time (yay hormones) so as long as I'm spotting I know I'm in ketosis...tmi i know but hey, it's what I use.

Ketostix
 

Does anyone know how these work? I tested my urine this morning it the scale is negative to large. I was at a small amount. What does that mean? Am i not in ketosis? The reason I tested was I canned homemade salsa last night and I tasted it to make sure it was fine. It does have sugar in it and that made me wonder if I was going to cause myself problems just with the few little tastes I did. Other than that, 100% OP.

I know I'm in ketosis, but those stix dont work for me. I can tell I'm in by my breath smell, my urine smell (sorry tmi) but yeah when I use those sticks they say I'm barely in ketosis. I just dont use them anymore.

Yea, my breath has been horrible. Only thing that helps is chewing gum and I know we aren't supposed to. I did find some gum made with xylitol that I heard was ok.

I used the ketostix once, and wasn't getting any signs of ketosis (100% OP). I read somewhere in this forum that readings would be inaccurate because of the amount of water we drink on IP. You might want to rely on some of the other signs!

I don't show up on ketostix at all. Since they only measure what your body "throws out", it's not a 100% accurate measurement of whether you are in ketosis or not.

For the ketosis breath, I use an IP approved breath spray called "Herbal Breath Tonic" by Herb Pharm.