I'm new to the forum but not completely new to Atkins. I tried it 8 years ago and lost about 10kg, but regained it again because I didn't really take the time to read up properly and so didn't know enough to quell my doubts about the diet long term. Since then I started to have health problems. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with 'metabolic syndrome', once I scraped up enough courage to see a doctor. My insulin and blood pressure was sky high, and I had digestive problems caused by candida albicans. I suspect this was in part caused by having to take many antibiotics due to implants I had done on my teeth. I had never heard of metabolic syndrome, but it made sense to me seeing that I was overweight even as a child not like my twin sister(non-identical) who ate the same food and didn't put on weight. I develop PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome) which apparantly is linked to metabolic syndrome. I have only been a 'normal weight' once in my life - for 4 months when I was 17. I was told then that I was 'pre diabetic' but didn't really pay much attention to that. Anyway,the good news it that through treatment, I got rid of my candida and parasites in my digestive system and was given to the go-ahead by my doctor to start trying to lose weight in December 2007. He suggest Atkins as he says it's good for O blood types. In February 2008 I went back to him to be weighed and I had only lost 2kgs! The good news, was my blood test results; Hormones(as in premenopause), cholesterol, HDL levels, uric acid, Thyroid, all had gone down to normal levels, all except my insulin levels! I bought a glucometer to monitor my insulin levels as well. I took a closer look at what I was doing, and realised that I was eating the right foods, but I was not accurate in my carb counting. So I started a CLEAN INDUCTION on the 24th February, paying close attention to everything.
I have been walking for an hour 3-4x a week, drinking enough water, eating enough vegetables, etc. My ketoxtix are purple every day. I feel very good, glowing skin, energy, feel satisfied etc. BUT I don't feel any thinner. I don't really rely on my scales as they differ from the doctor's scales, instead I'm measuring, but there seems to be little change. According to my glucometer, the normal level for my glucose levels should be under 5.9. I test myself 2 hours after eating. The levels vacillate between 7 and 5.8. Can I use this as a tool the same as ketostix?
QUESTIONS:
I have been walking for an hour 3-4x a week, drinking enough water, eating enough vegetables, etc. My ketoxtix are purple every day. I feel very good, glowing skin, energy, feel satisfied etc. BUT I don't feel any thinner. I don't really rely on my scales as they differ from the doctor's scales, instead I'm measuring, but there seems to be little change. According to my glucometer, the normal level for my glucose levels should be under 5.9. I test myself 2 hours after eating. The levels vacillate between 7 and 5.8. Can I use this as a tool the same as ketostix?
QUESTIONS:
- How long should it take for my glucose levels to stabilize?
- Do I consider myself to be in the metabolic resistance category - should I do the fat fast diet of 1000 calories a day or move on to OWL?
- Should I first try to cut back on cheese/cream (I do so love my 3 caffeine coffees with cream)
- Is maltodextrin ok to use a sweetener?
- Any suggestions on how I'm going to count carbs when I go to Japan for 2 weeks in April? We will be hosted by friends, and will go to restaurants.

scintilla!
Welcome to the board and hang in there. Things will change.

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