Hi there.......

On the ketostix.....even showing a trace is adequate, though for many, the stix never register at all. It's not a problem though....it just means that you are properly hydrated (drinking enough water) or that there aren't many ketones spilling into your urine. The best way to know that you are on track is by knowing that you are eating correctly.

It's not uncommon for you body to take time to adjust to this new way of eating....and for weight loss to be slow. The big losers generally have more weight to lose so lose what seems like more, although as a percentage, is about the same as those with less to lose.

As for the sweets, the artificial sweetners have been known to stall some people. Atkins does talk about certain foods that tend to slow some of us down. If you aren't happy with the rate that you are losing, you could try some tweaks....such as paring the plan down to the basics and eliminating the diet jello and other things containing A/S. There is a thread that gives a list of foods that tend to slow you down.

HTH
Marlaine