I wanted to share a bit of information I found out......for us who constantly wonder if we are in fat burning mode, it may seem strange but I have found it to be true.......when you go to the bathroom, look down in the potty and see if there is an oily residue (like oily swirls) on top of the water.....the by products of burning fat is released into your urine, therefore causing the oily swirls
So next time you potty, take a look

Well that's a new one i have never heard before! I'll have to check it out in a minute and see if I can see anyhting! lol

Jenn, could you please give us the source of that information?

It is my understanding that the product of fat burning is ketones which are excreted in the urine or the breath and should not leave any fat in your urine. When folks take a fat blocking medication (Xenical), then the fat molecules are excreted unburned and appear in the urine as oil.

While we are talking urine: Has anyone noticed their urine is darker and stronger (like after you've drank alcohol)? I drink two-three liters of water daily and I would think I am peeing nearly clear, but I am not. Do you thinnk it is like that due to buring fat?

SANDI

Have you recently started taking a multivitamin? Vitamin B makes your urine a very vivid yellow (and kind of stinky). I don't know how much B it takes to produce this effect, but many multis, especially those that are supposed to provide "weight loss support" (eg One-a-Day Weight Smart) have extra B vitamins, since B is said to help with fat metabolism.

Yes, I do take a vitamin about every other day. I think it probably is the culprit!

Thanks!

Sandi

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you Ruth, I'll have to look up where I read this and post an update

Along this same line, are we supposed to be having ketones in our urine? The program I was on before was supposed to put you in a mild state of ketosis (no, it wasn't Atkins) so I had the little sticks and most days when I check, there are still ketones detected. SHould I care if they are there or not?

If there are ketones, it means you are not eating enough carbs. In Phase I you should be getting enough good carbs from veggies and legumes to keep you OUT of ketosis!

Good carbs would be items like bell peppers, tomatos, and beans. Try making one of your snacks bell peppers dipped in hummus.

If your urine is dark, you might consider talking with your doctor to make sure that things are alright. They probably are, but if you are drinking lots of water (more than 64 oz a day), then your urine should be very pale in color during the day.

I never noticed that before...I do drink a lot of water. And sweat a lot.

I'm closing this thread because we are off the fat burning topic.
Maybe I should retitle it as "Micturation Concerns"?