Sharon, don't panic! The fact that you're lifting weights, eating a protein adequate diet, and noticing smaller body parts is a sure sign you're losing fat and building muscle. I know - I've been there.

Let me reasure you that ketosis, be it light or dark, is still ketosis. It's an indication that fat is being burned. For a more detailed explanation check this thread out .

Darker coloured stix are usually a sign of dehydration - an undesirable state to be in. Optimal fat burning requires water. Water will dilute your reading - so will intense exercise. When I think to test I bare manage to register "trace".

Have you taken your measurements? Remember, a lb of fat and a lb of muscle will weigh the same - a lb. BUT that lb of muscle will take up less than 1/3 the volume of the lb of fat. Face it, you're shrinking

BTW, Atkins now allows for subtracting of fiber from your carb count.

Hang in there and keep doing what you're doing - it's working.

Nat