Questions

[harmony3098]

hi everyone, i have some questions. for those of us who do use the ketostix and keep track of our ketosis levels, when do you use them? i know that first thing in the morning is not a good indicator so do you use them at night before you go to bed? and do you use them only once a day?

second: is it ok and "legal" to use over the counter pain relief (such as advil, aleve, tylenol, etc.) for headaches (and whatever else ails us)?

third: why are we not allowed to drink diet sodas made with aspartame? i cannot find this in the dandr, and, truthfully, feel that i'm probably overlooking it, cause i am a diehard reader of that book. it is, literally, my big book right now! but i simply cannot find this information.

fourth: will increasing my exercise help me get back some sort of appetite? i am eating but find that i am having to force my self (some days) to get all my food in. could this also simply be a case of some days i am more hungry than others?

fifth and finally: how do you posts pictures? and what about all the cool other things i see on people's signatures like the challenges they've participated in, etc.?

thanks in advance for your help!

[buffy67]

Re: Questions

Hey Harmony:

I can try to help you on some of your q's. In addition to caffeine, Diet Coke contains aspartame which might cause a spike in your insulin level, which in some people, this will cause a stall. I'm not sure specifically where it is stated in the DNDR, maybe in artificial sweeteners. But, it is highly noted about caffeine.

I take Ibuprofin if I have a headache, or aches and pains. I want to make sure that I feel good because I find that when I don't feel good I might self medicate with food or I get to the "I don't care stage" and that equates to danger for me. I do stay away from Excedrin because it has caffeine.

As for the signatures, go into edit signatures and there is an option where you can import from a web url or you can browse your computer. If you have a jpeg or picture file you can choose it and it will add to your siggie. As for the challenges and labels, if I see something I like in someone's post or if it is available somewhere in a thread, you right click on the picture and choose save as and save it to your computer. Then edit your sig and enter choose the file.

For me, I usually measure twice a day. In the am and before dinner. I have a variety of readings depending on how much H2O that I have drank. As long as I have a trace, I'm ok. I really don't pay attention to times to a tee. Maybe someone with more Atkins experience can elaborate on this. I just know what works for me.

Exercising should bring back some appetite. As your metabolism increases with the exercise, your body will require more fuel to function because your basil metabolic rate will increase. I find that some days I'm hungrier than others. I try to get all of my food in and sometimes that is a challenge. The good thing about a ketogenic diet is that it suppresses your appetite. It is important to get your food in because you don't want your body to think it is in starvation mode and store everything up.

I hope this helps. I'm sure that an experienced Atkineer can elaborate if needed.

Good luck,

Buffy

[harmony3098]

Re: Questions

thanks so much buffy. your response helps me out tremendously. i appreciate you taking the time to help me! have a great day.

[Sheepie]

Re: Questions

I don't use ketostix. I did once durng induction to make sure I was in ketosis and that was it. When I used to use them, I always did them first thing in the morning. When people talk about being "deep" in ketosis I always wonder if it's true or if they just didn't drink as much as in previous days and are a little dehydrated. Shrug. When I move farther up the rungs, I'll use them occasionally again. Btw, if you want to make them last twice as long, they work just as well if you cut them in half the long way!

[partytrouble]

Re: Questions

Harmony, I never used ketostix after the first time I started Induction, because they NEVER turned for me, EVER!!!.....yet I lost over 40 pounds!!

[harmony3098]

Re: Questions

thanks everyone. i didn't realize that drinking water would affect the ketones.

[booklady]

Re: Questions

HI, I have always heard that you should use them in the morning as that is when the urine is most concentrated and you will get the most accurate readings .
When you are drinking a lot of fluids all day you can dilute the readings. I used them once or twice but they are not dependable and can make you crazy, just like the scale can for some people.
I have seen some people lose tremdous amounts of weight drinking diet soda and not drinking diet soda, it really is a your milage may vary kind of thing. Soda is not that great for you to be honest, so limiting it is a good thing if you cannot give it up altogether. Water will help with the weight loss.
I take Walmart brand ibuprophen, never had that bother me.
Lastly, if you are not hungry and having to force yourself to eat, you do not need the sticks, you are in ketosis, that lack of hunger is one the best side effects. Just make sure you get the best and healthiest foods when you do eat and do not force it. Excercise isa great idea for many reasons, and it may help your appetite, it is hard to tell !!!
It sounds like you are right on track and doing well !!!
Stephie

[harmony3098]

Re: Questions

thanks stephie. yeah, i am wondering about the ketostix b/c i went out to dinner tonight and ate entirely legal to the best of my ability and knowledge and when i measured my ketones after dinner, i was completely neutral...and i've been moderate for days! so, i am now obsessing about what could have thrown me out. i need to just go to bed. i weigh and measure tomorrow so that's the real test for me. thanks again and have a good night!

[booklady]

Re: Questions

You are so welcome, it just takes time to figure it all out doesn't it !!
I think you will find in the mornings if you use them right away, you will get your best readings, YOu will have diluted readings if you are drinking a lot all day. BUt I really think with your noticeable lack of hunger, you have nothing to worry about, that is a huge sign right there !!
You are doing great and asking questions is always the right thing to do, I always ask when I am unsure, there is always someone who can help us with our questions !! And sometimes we have the answer for someone else and that is great too !!!
Stephie

[partytrouble]

Re: Questions

I still can't figure out how to add a picture to my siggy....It asks for the explorer URL and does not give me the option to browse and upload...I tried cutting and pasting but all that shows is the actual URL, not the photo....help, anyone?