Hey all I just wanted to congradulate those that are continuing to do well. I started Oct 26th 2003. I breaked for Thanksgiving and I really messed up at Christmas however, I got on the right track the 1st week in January. I am happy to announce that though I strayed I am down from 202 to 175 and am continuing to do very well. I had lost alot when I started but I gained 12lbs during Christmas so I had to work those lbs back off. The last three weeks have been intresting I've managed to lose 3 lbs a each week. Though I am confused about On Going Weight Loss I seem to be doing Ok at it. Here are some of my concerns

Do you still use the keytone stips or do you go by actual weight loss to properly tell how many carbs you can actually eat before you stop loseing wieght?

Right now I'm up to 30 carbs and I'm still losing and my strips are pinkish purple can I add on 5 more carbs?

Induction was easy as far as making sure I didn't go over my carb limit but I seem to have trouble adding new foods and not taking past 30 carbs. Take for instance I love Avacados so if I eat half of one with is like almost 5 carbs and my meal is 9 carbs should I eat the rest of the day like I'm on induction or can I enter in other new foods like Strawberries and such.

If I confused you I'm sorry I am confused my self I'm just nervous about how to add in new foods.

Stacy
34lbs to go

Wow, Stacy! You are doing just GREAT!

Ok, to answer some of your questions...
I don't use the ketone strips as they do not work for me. Whether or not you continue to use them is completely up to you.
But I do have a question for you: how much water are you drinking? PLEASE make sure you are drinking NO LESS than 64 oz./day -- but preferably, a minimum of half your body weight per day. I shoot for a gallon (128 oz.) each day. This will protect your kidneys from the strain of passing ketones AND it will speed your weight loss. It's not uncommon, however, for the ketostix to show *lighter* when you are drinking adequate water, so don't become alarmed if they are not always so dark...

It's really best to try and *spread your carbs* throughout the day, but if you DO have meal that is a bit higher in carbs, then yes, it is fine to eat *induction level* the rest of the day to stay within your carb total goal.

And strawberries are a GREAT fruit to add back in once you get to OWL. I'm addicted to them!
HTH,

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

how many strawberries do you eat at one time.. how many carbs.. i read the book.. dont recall which page said something about a certain number having approx. a certain amt of carbs.. but in other books they say carb amts for 1/2 cup or whatever.. i really would rather know for med sized berries...

NEW BLOOD! go easy on me.. i'm a rookie..

I go by what's on the package, so counting the carbs is easy. I buy the frozen ones. They're out of season here. Same thing with blueberries.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development

Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Kim,

Try tracking your food at fitday.com. There it tells you how much for each strawberry. It even breaks it down if the strawberry is small, medium, large or extra-large.

BTW-You are doing great!!!

Peace, Joanna
Atkins since 12/3/03
299/266/130

Congrats Stacy, you've been doing great!


I used the strips to find my CCL (critical carb level). I'm thinking this is what you mean? I still use them when I haven't been really careful to track my carbs for the day or just as an accaisinal monitor now.



Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

Congratulations, you are doing great.

I upped my carbs by 5 until my average was 1 pound a week. I am up to 45 carbs a day now. I never used the keto stix. My breath tells all!!!

Beckie



257/209/150

thanks... i found the part about strawberries in the book while re reading it.. but thanks gang for the prompt replies.. i have found FRESH strawberries in the stores here.. expensive.. but what the hey.. so were doritos....*grin*

NEW BLOOD! go easy on me.. i'm a rookie..

beckie... i used to LIVE in portland..*sigh*.. i am so jealous... beaverton eh?.. the max goes out that way now doesnt it?

NEW BLOOD! go easy on me.. i'm a rookie..

I used the strips mostly during induction. Now, and only because I have some left, I use them like Brightlady, only as an occasional monitor of where I'm at. I'm right around 30gms per day, too. I tried to up them but 35gms made me too full all day, and that was by adding veggies and berries. Now I just eat a handful of nuts for snacks (my current favorite is roasted almonds) and I get my 5-servings of veggies a day. I've been losing about 3lbs per week, but I suspect that will slow down as I lose more. I'm mentally prepared for it to slow, so I won't freak out!

Cherub
304/283/160
5'9"
Started Atkins 01/04/04