Happy with Keto results... but dont register as in ketosis

science
(Geoffrey Cary Sather) #1

Sorry if this isn’t the right category in which to post my question, this is my first time and I’m just taking a stab at it here…

I’ve been Keto for about 5 months now, and surpassed my weight goal. I’m 61, 6’5”, now 200 lbs. (down from 227). So I’m ecstatic about that part.

My question: despite being pretty religious about keeping my macros right via Carb Manager, I have never registered as being in ketosis through the pee strips or the Ketone Breath meter. On one hand, I don’t really care, because I’ve gotten the weight loss and sustaining results that I’ve wanted to, but on the other hand, I don’t necessarily feel great, and so I’m wondering if I’ve ever really been in ketosis. Thoughts anyone? Thanks …

(Allie) #2

Results matter more than numbers, why even worry if you’re happy with your progress and feeling good? Pee sticks measure what’s being wasted, so I guess you’re not wasting any - this is why they’re not recommended as a way of measuring. From what I know the breath meters aren’t particularly accurate either and can be tricky to use correctly.

Some useful info on here -

(lisa) #3

I kept thinking I was in ketosis because the strips(urine) registered trace or small (pink). I was still using stevia in my morning coffee, and having splenda-sweetened soft drinks. I cut those and went on a 5 day fast, drinking coffee with butter in the mornings, and salt&potassium lemonade(ketorade) in the day. after day 2 (the only hungry day) it was so easy to fast and the strips were deep purple(large) PLUS the scale was moving after a 6 week stall. I check the blood glucose and ketone daily; both fasting and after eating (I am on day 2 or eating lightly) and my ketone levels are 2.5 to 3.5 which is deep ketosis. The energy is amazing - I no longer doubt I am really burning fat stores. The inches are the BEST indicator; my bra size is down and things fit better all over. Watching Dr. Fung and his analogy of “refrigerator VS deep freezer” just rang so true for me. Keto is a way of life for us, we are seeing real results in health as the blood pressure lowered for us both, my rosacea has cleared, our collagen habit has relieved hubby’s old sports knee and added luster and growth to hair and nails. Plus we crave good things, like steak, collard greens, fresh ingredients. I totally believe we have to understand the mineral balance needed and supplement that with salt, potassium, magnesium and there are so many reliable medical resources out there to guide. I believe that fasting is a plateau-breaker - speaking from first person experience!

(Joy) #4

What do you mean when you say you don’t really feel great? Fatigue? Are you minding your salt, magnesium, potassium Intake?

(karen) #5

Do you know your carb and protein intake, did you have specific goals about that? If you don’t know, post what you typically eat, we can guestimate the carbs, which would give a better indicator of whether you’re in ketosis or not (of course we can’t say for sure).

(Geoffrey Cary Sather) #6

The “Carb Manager” app. allows me to be quite sure that I’m pretty locked in to 75% fat, 20% protein, 5% carbs.

I’m good about adding Himalayan sea salt and “Electro Mix” daily, As well as a mens’ one a day multivitamin/multimineral supplement.

I simply am not feeling great. Periodically heavy-limbed, tired … nothing too bad, but also not the great results I’ve read about from those in ketosis.

#7

I don’t get that great “high on ketones” feeling either. And mct oil does nothing for me. I make BPC because I like the taste and frothyness of the butter in my coffee, but it certainly does nothing for stopping my hunger or making me feel more alert etc.

But as you said, I’m still seeing results so I’m going to KCKO.

(Allie) #8

Not everyone gets that crazy hyper feeling, I still haven’t after three years, and I still get tired too, but I get up early and have a busy life so no surprise. I have found that I cope better on poor sleep than I used to though, so that’s something.

(Geoffrey Cary Sather) #9

Ditto for the BPC … though perhaps I should confess to adding 80 mls (a third of a carton of Atkins Milk Chocolate Delight, so less than a gram of net carbs, and sugar, 5 grams of protein), which makes it a delicious mocha alternative).

(karen) #10

I’m about four months in and I find that I have steady energy. No crashes, I could probably go for days without sleep if i had to, but no keto highs either. And yesterday I broke a 5 day fast and woke up in the middle of the night feeling so heavy. Not fat, but … dense, like I might be leaving dents in the floor while walking around. Weird! - so no, not everyone is a zippy ball of energy and light!

(Allie) #11

Same as me @kib, steady energy but no hyper, energy loaded feeling - and breaking a fast always sends energy levels through the floor

#12

Do you take blood pressure meds? My mom had to throw hers away after 2 months of keto because she was feeling lethargic and unwell. Now she feels great! Locarb food for thought.

(Geoffrey Cary Sather) #13

Thanks for thinking about this, but no, no meds …

(Roy D Rushing Jr ) #14

I never registered on the pee sticks. Eventually I bought a blood tester that showed I was in fact in ketosis. I got a ketonix breath tester to hopefully save myself some money on testing strips, but the results it gave me were so erratic and at odds with whatever my blood tester said that I can’t bring myself to use it as a primary means of testing.

(Geoffrey Cary Sather) #15

Thanks, that’s helpful… I have never considered buying a blood tester, but I might have to go that route. Thanks again!

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #16

If you are keeping your carbohydrate under 20 g/day, then you are almost certainly in ketosis, and if you’ve been doing this that long, you are almost certainly fat-adapted as well, which is the real goal.

As people have been posting, not everyone gets that zippy feeling. I have a fatigue syndrome of some kind, caused by a virus I came down with years ago, and for me, keto just brings me up to normal. I don’t mind being normal. Normal is good, I’ll take it!! Do you know what a blessing it is to be able to mow the lawn without having to spend the next two days in bed recovering? :bacon:

(Geoffrey Cary Sather) #17

I’m about to go out and do the lawn, so thanks for the reminder that it is a blessing :slight_smile:

My Carb Manager app gives me 29 carbs a day if I want to lose a pound, and 35 carbs a day if I wanna simply maintain my current weight, so that is what I usually stick to …

(Ron) #18