mechanism for One Golden Shot

[APanthesilia]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

Cani: Thanks for your thoughts. I mentioned the shake day approach only as another manifestation of how things seem to get harder over time. What I am trying to get to on this thread is the increased difficulty getting back into ketosis using the true Atkins induction method after a number of years and after several partial weight-gain-backs. Also, I am not really currently on my last 10. More like my second to last 10.

Hello, getting back into ketosis the second, third, fourth or fiftieth time has always been the same. As long as I'm not cheating and doing Atkins the way it should be done it happens very quickly and easily. But from what I've heard, the golden shot isn't about getting into ketosis quickly, it is about how quickly the weight falls off. Either way I think it is a myth.

From what you have said it sounds like you aren't really doing Atkins by the book (Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002). It sounds like you are doing your own form of low carb dieting but the methods you describe don't sound anything like the Atkins I'm doing! For me if I do it strictly and by the book my loss is just as good or even better than it was my first time round. Good luck!

[Chynna]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

I also agree that your success is based on your dedication and how hard you work to reach your goal. The only thing I agree with is that I did lose more on my very first go around of induction (16 pounds) versus this time (9 pounds) but I'm convinced it was due to water retention (since it was *ehem* due to "female issues" and those darn salty wiener wursts I was eating on occasion). I also forget to drink up all my water during some days. I blame it on mom-nesia! But it's definitely something that I've learned to correct.

I've also restarted this WOE many times and my results always vary depending on how well I stick to the plan and dedicate myself. So, I'd have to go with this theory rather than the "one golden shot" rule.

I hope that helps you on your quest!

[tfek70]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

The color of the ketostix is immaterial. There is a very good article on it somewhere on this site. The gist of it is that if you drink tons of water (I always drink at least a gallon a day), your sticks won't get that crazy purple color. You are still producing just as many ketones, but they are so diluted that they register much lower than they would if you drank less water. The person who wrote the post consulted with the manufacturer, so it's probably accurate. Plus it makes sense. Say you have 20 ketones in your bladder, and 20 oz of urine. Your ration would be 1 ketone/oz. If you had 20 ketones and 40 oz of urine, you are still producing the same number of ketones, but you will only show .5 ketone/oz, or half the "color" of the other example. It also recommends not using your first void of the morning, rather wait 2 hours after your first meal. Also, don't test right after you work out strenuously. Hope this helps, and I will try to find the link to this post. Who ever wrote it was much more brilliant than I have made him or her sound.

[tfek70]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

Found the link: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...tix-color.html

It was posted by Perry and I was right, he does explain it better. There are a few good articles about ketostix on the first page of the FAQ page.

[rhodesengr]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

Found the link: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...tix-color.html

It was posted by Perry and I was right, he does explain it better. There are a few good articles about ketostix on the first page of the FAQ page.

Ok. That is good input. I am just going by the difference, for me, from the first time eight years ago versus now. I am doing it the same way; same time of day, same brand of stix, same induction diet. I am not a slave to the stix but I am researching this issue.

[cani]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

Don't forget there are other ways of knowing you are in ketosis that you don't need the sticks. Your breath is usually a good one, your energy levels, etc. Research is good but some unsolicited advice from a major analyzer, be careful your motivation of the research doesn't become frustration and loss of motivation. Are you following induction by the book? Have you gone back to the beginning and literally started over? You believe you have 20 lbs to lose, those lbs will not drop off in a snap, which is why i mentioned you may wish to turn your view from the numbers to other things -- i.e., inches and size of clothes. Your weight will always fluctuate. Have you checked your BMI or your body fat percentage? These concepts can also help you when the numbers are giving you panic. If you are eating less than 700 cals in a day and exercising like you did -- and you aren't losing weight when you do that, your body is rebelling about something.

IF you really want an analysis -- take 2 weeks of eating as you have been, exercising etc, And before you do, check your body mass index, weight, and body fat percentage, as well as your inches. The do the same after. Keep an exact journal of what you eat including nutritional value and ingredients, exercise and lift and what your sticks say and more importantly how you feel throughout the day especially an hour after you eat and after you exercise.

Then after two weeks, go back to the beginning the natural part of eating natural food instead of processed food. Go back and do induction for 2 weeks along with the exercise you say you were doing as well as weight lifting. Calories do count on Atkins especially when you are 20 lbs away from goal. Keep it healthy range but not over indulgence range. And before you do, check your body mass index, weight, and body fat percentage, as well as your inches. The do the same after. Keep an exact journal of what you eat including nutritional value and ingredients , exercise and lift and what your sticks say and more importantly how you feel throughout the day especially an hour after you eat.

This will give you a better control than the 8 year memory idea. And better data to analyze and actual data to analyze.

I know you say you've been doing it for 8 years, but this will give you actual data right now as your body has changed in 8 years. And maybe you are eating something it just doesn't like or likes too much and your analysis will help you recognize patters or non patterns.

Good luck.

[TitianWasp]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

Yeah, I have to second what it seems like everyone else is saying. Restarts for me have all been much, much better than the initial attempt. Better loss - faster dive into ketosis.

I think what some people experience is that it is slower on subsequent occasions because they have already a lot of weight. Weight loss is a cruel joke in that it gets harder to do, the less you have to lose.

[noblenellie]

Re: mechanism for One Golden Shot

For me the "golden shot" theory is hogwash so far. The very first time I tried Atkins for 2 weeks the scale did not move an inch, then on day 15 it suddenly dropped 10 pounds (this was in September 2003). I ended up losing a total of 63 pounds in 6 months. This is my umpteenth time to start Atkins again, with the mindset that this time I am sticking with it. My restart date is January 2, and as of this morning I have dropped 4.6 pounds!!