I have a combination question. I feel that i am no longer in ketosis (unsure why) i gained 4lbs since FRIDAY!!( quite aggrivating i must say) Will it take me as long as it took me to get into ketosis as it did when i first started? Do i just go back to induction stages? Also do ketone test strips go bad? I've had them closed in the container and i am going to be paying close attention trying to get my body back into ketosis and it would throw me off if the strips can go bad.

Kat -

Yes, the strips can go bad.

BUT, in addition to that, the strips don't always work the same depending on how much water you've had and the amount of dietary fat you've eaten.

So, I really wouldn't put too much credit in them.

Myself, I rarely show up on those strips even when I'm being very good so I don't bother buying them any more.

It's most likely that the 4 pounds you gained is water rentention. That happened to me this weekend as well.

Don't worry, it'll come back off.

Can you post a couple days worth of menus and water intake? Perhaps you're eating something wrong and aren't aware of it.

If we know what you're eating we will be better able to help

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can the water retention be because over the last couple of days i haven't been drinking nearly close to the amount of water i normally drink?

yes kat, that's a definite possibility. did you eat off plan this weekend?
also, are you nearing your TOM (time of the month)?

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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

i did have a taste of my boyfriends sunday (only one spoon bite) next week is my TOM

I retain water when i eat tons of salt, usually from too much processed foods...like salami or pepporoni and lots of semi-soft white cheese (my weakness at the moment)

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Started 3/20/03 thru 9/2003
Restarted 1/2/04, this time i will finish what i started.

180-154-140

I was snacking on some pepperoni and jalepeno cheese cubes yesterday. I decided to be on the safe side and cut back to 20 carbs for a couple of days to see how things go.

since your TOM is around the corner, you're probably retaining water. the salty snacks could be culprits, too. i'd suggest increasing your water ... flush yourself out.
you may not need to go back to 20g, just increase your veggies, watch your salt and drink LOTS of water!

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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

thanks for the help. I was just really nervous because i wasn't showing up at ALL on the testing strips and i saw that i gained 4 pounds. Again thanks

Our bodies are mostly made of water. So it shouldn't be that strange that it could fluctuate that much over a few days. Happens to all of us. When I see my scale telling me I've gained two pounds overnight, I know it's lying to me. They tend to do that.