Ketosis: Is there any "grey" area?

[Scallywag]

Hi Everyone,

I went on a fully clean induction a year ago and loved it. It seemed to do my body a lot of good as well as helping get rid of the extra pounds.

My quandry at the moment is that whilst I am currently dropping most carbs from my diet no weight is disappearing. I'm not in ketosis but I'm pretty close to it. In fact I've gone in and out of it a couple of times so I'm just teetering on the edge of ketosis but not really in it for most of the time. My question is whether ketosis is a process that is either off or on? I would have thought that by cutting out 90% of carbs then it would be possible to achieve 90% of the result. Is it like a switch that needs to be fully turned on? Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

Scallywag.

[tickletussler]

I thought that all of us were in some degree of ketosis, no? The process of ketosis is burning fat, but if we eat too many carbs then we may not burn "enough" fat to register ketosis, but we're still burning some fats, no?

[Piasabird]

I always thought that being in ketosis was like being pregnant ....... either you are or you aren't. ensive

[not2late]

The sticks don't work for everyone.
Here are some links to the FAQs about ketosis.

Ketostix color

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=68063

When to test ketones

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=68065

Physical signs of ketosis/lipolysis

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=68113

[love2beeamom]

I have always thought of it as you are in ketosis or you aren't.. I have never used the strips, I just go by physical signs.. I am concerned when you say you ahve eliminated almost all carbs though.. You are still eating your veggies and stuff, right?? I just get a little concerned when people talk about very low carb/no carb..so I was just checking, lol.

Good luck!!

[Scallywag]

Thanks everyone. I guess everyone is different. I know that during this particular period I was very close to ketosis or actually in it for most of the period. Both my body signs and the ketosis strips confirmed this. My gut feel (excuse the pun) is that I lost no weight except during the period I was in ketosis. During this ketosis period however, I lost a lot quickly and the scales seemed to confirm this. Anyway I'm going with the pregancy analogy for now.......its either happening or it ain't. Any thoughts?

[colinwants2bthin]

I am a strong believer in adequate fat intake. Fat is our new energy source, it fuels our bodies and the more we use the higher value of ketosis we achieve! It works for me!!