I know many are on Atkins and judge their program from those strips you pee on.

I am writing this to those who think they can't lose weight unless their strips turn purple. I have lost 25lbs and I have NEVER even turned beige.
I don't know why... but I do know... I made the decision that I would NOT let those strips interfere with my recovery or my attitude. They obviously don't work on everyone.

This weight loss journey is as much in your head as it is on your body.
If I give those strips power to detour my MENTAL state then I am giving my success away to a paper.
I made the decision to follow the program no matter what those darn things said. And I am glad I did. I have (or rather I don't have) 25lbs to prove that you CAN lose weight without those strips.

I AM NOT downgrading the use of those strips for many in here. They work for many.
BUT... if you are like me and they don't change color for you then don't look at the strips... look within yourself... to see if you are truly following the program.

I looked within myself and saw where I was using "legal treats" much much more than veggies. I used processed meats over real meat. I drank more diet pop than water. When I corrected those items... I lost and my strips didn't turn purple or even dark beige.
I hope this helps someone. I am sooooo HAPPY I just want to help others find success too.

Thanks for posting this. I gave up on the Ketostix when I did Atkins but do know that it works. I think the colour depends on when you test and how much water you are drinking and how much fat you eat and whether your underwear is on inside out!

I agree with 2 cute about it being in your head. I still believe self control is a learned and then used skill and not a gift that some people have. The scale can have the same effect as those strips to.... And 2 cute you are really an inspiration..... Yea for you. Still spinning what it must feel like to have 25 lbs. off...

I had a day with some diet pop yesterday and was hungry all day. That stuff sure triggers stuff off in me....

Keep that good work up 2 cute you're really on a roll......

Ruth... I really got a kick out of "if your underwear is inside out or not" But it is sooooo true. LOL

Toni... I loved your quote: "I still believe self control is a learned and then used skill and not a gift that some people have."
Oh how I can relate to that. I so oftened cried wondering why everyone else can lose this weight and not me. The truth was and still is... I did not LEARN to change my eatting habits LONGGGGGGGGG term.

I hope I am not eatting my words...since I am still in short term presently. LOL
Only time will tell if I have LEARNED new eatting habits. I am aware of the need for a "New Way of Life".

One thing I MUST add here though.
I truly believe I tried my hardest when eatting low fat, low calories, etc.
I truly believe it is getting out of the carbs that has given me the ABILITY to change my food habits.
I truly believe I was NOT weak willed or a born pig, or a failure because I failed so often.
I TRULY BELIEVE IT WAS THE CARBS that prevented me from succeeding and caused my inability to stick to food plan.

Now that I have the carbs under control, so will my eating be more under control. I have learned that much. Now it is up to ME to utilize what I have learned.

Cute you are right. it IS the carbs and what carbs you eat. I have NEVER tested strips and i have lost 60. (TOM is here so hopefully by t-day it will be 65) fingers crossed!!! diet soda can stall you as can many other things. it is just a matter of finding it out and avoiding what it is. one thing i do although atkins says you can eat fat if you do eat to much then you are not going to lose weight!!! no matter how little carbs you eat. you will be burning the fat you eat instead of the fat you have stored.

I just yesterday found a link to AVRT which is a program for addicts of alcohol and drugs but i started to read it and know that it would help may of us. so i will post it here.

check it out. it sure is an eye opener.

http://rational.org/Crash.html

Good site, Sue. I just took a boo at it and have bookmarked it for later.

I lost 65 lbs and rarely used those sticks. I did turn them purple most times that I did test. I do know that they go bad quickly. You may have had an expired bottle. I agree that you don't need them to succeed. A good way to tell if you are burning ketones is by stinky breath and hot flashes!

2 cute2befat, You have a great attitude, I love it.

jewels

I believe the reverse is true, that eating fat while severely restricting carbohydrates actually helps you lose fat faster.

The mainstream belief that fat makes you fat is NOT TRUE! Even after all the studying I've done, I still catch myself sometimes looking at the dreaded bad-for-you, fatty, extra heart attack foods... before realizing that I am simply responding to the years of media and popular press brainwashing.

The key to all this is the metabolic signals your body receives from the food you eat. That's why limiting carbohydrates has the effect it does in the first place. I'll see what I can do to find you some good references that support my assertion...



Moderator Note: This thread is about keto-sticks and is 4 months old. I am closing the thread. Please open a new topic if you want to discuss the fat vs less fat situation. Thanks.