I'm officially 3 weeks into this (atikins that is) and am feeling better and better as this goes on. (except for last week but I couldn't go to the gym but back to that 3x's a week from now on) I lost 16#'s the first two weeks and nothing this past week. (my guess, sudden lack of excersize due to sprained ankle)

Any ways.... my confusion. I've read the atkins book but don't understand what I'm supposed to be looking for on the urine strips. Do I want them to be dark purple?? or the opposite? So far (even w/ the lack of excersize ) I've fared pretty well on this WOE and very much so want to get to my goal weight (from 230 down to at least 160) but want to make sure i'm doing this right.

I've read many of the posts from you veterans so i'm sure someone knows the answer to my question !!!

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:butterfly NikkyLee :butterfly

230/207/160

Hi, NickyLee.

It is most likely that you've hit the infamous and almost universal "third week stall." This is common, whether or not you change your exercise level. It is your body accommodating to the initial loss of weight. It's trying to hang on.

As for the ketostrips, if they show anything, then you're in ketosis. They merely detect the presence of ketone bodies in your urine. If you're drinking plenty of water, they're not likely to get very dark. That's fine. You WANT to keep your urine dilute.

... and, as for bellydancing Don't wait for reaching your goal! It's a great exercise that's actually fun! DO wait for your ankle to heal, though.

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You're doing fine, don't worry.

Many people often lose a chunk of weight in the first 2 weeks and then nothing for 2-4 weeks after that. It's called the infamous "third week stall" and is completely normal.

As a matter of fact, Summer (one of the other moderators on the board) has just written an article about this very subject. Click here http://www.lowcarbeating.com/article...ach.php?id=394 to read it. She explains everything.

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It is always necessary to leave some part
of cooking to improvisation. - Paul Bocuse
Member since 2001

okay so color is good... nothing is bad as far as the reatcive part of the strips. I know i'm not drinking enough water but i'm trying!!!!! It was sooo hard to get up and go to the gym this morning (the first day I could go w/o crutches) but I felt sooo good when I got home. Think I'm going to get up early and go again tomorrow. (Normally only go 3 days a week but trying to work up to 5) . I soooo want to get past this stall and keep loosing!!!!! I was OOOOOHHHH sooo proud of myself for those 1st 2 wks!!!

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:butterfly NikkyLee :butterfly

230/207/160

You GO, girl! Don't link your pride to the scale, that can be a big mistake. Try to focus on how you're changing the habits of a lifetime - for the better. The rest will follow in due course.

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I'm trying REALLY hard not to link it to the scale. And I'm amazed that in just a little over 3 weeks how my choices when I find something to eat have already changed. @ the end of our 2nd week (DH is doing this with me) we went to Ruby Tuesdays for a "celebratory dinner" for surviving 2 wks, the waitress brought me my food w/ French fries and instead of leaving it on my plate I asked her to take it back and give me the salad I had asked for!!! The old me.... would have left the fries and shared them w/ hubby.

I just wanted to add, I think this site is an awsome way to give/get support!!!!!

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:butterfly NikkyLee :butterfly

230/207/160

Congrats on hanging in there through a challenging time. On the matter of exercise during recuperation...

I'm a home exerciser. When I had foot surgery, one of my favorite tapes was Margaret Richard's Getting Better. The workout, with hand weights, is performed sitting down or on the floor. It's challenging! I still do it now that my feet are functional again.

Margaret's website is www.bodyelectric.com

Best wishes!

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


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