that you can go out of Ketosis during your monthly cycle.

When I first read Atkins book and started eating Locarb it was psychologically a big boost to see that I was in ketosis.

Now, I check the strips about once a day but I also go many days w/o checking because I have found that if I have indulged in a cheat day, I go out of ketosis for about a day. I also go of of ketosis for about a week, sometimes more, during my period and when I am ovulating so I don't even bother checking then.

I tend to retain water during my period and about two weeks later during ovulation but each successive month, when the water retention disappears, I have noticed that my weight is down by a pound. (Which means that loss is occuring even though the ketostix show no ketones).

Everyone is different of course, but just something to keep in mind with the ketostix.

I still find them to be a psychological boost--especially since I drink a ton of water (6 or more litres a day) so I know when the strips are showing pink or purple that something is really happenin'.

Ciao!