For some reason, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get passed the moderate level of ketosis.

Who's gotten passed the moderate level? What's your daily menu?

I'm trying to reach my goal by April 1st which is not that far away.

ChattyKat, there's no reason to ' get past moderate levels' on those sticks. Darker is not better when it comes to ketostix. Darker usually means you're dehydrated, which is not what you want to be. Trace, small or large all mean the same thing = ketosis. The level is merely an indication of how much of the unused keton bodies spilled over from your blood into your urine and breath (via your lungs). IF you drink sufficient water (64 oz) or exercise regularly you will see lighter colours on the stix because you have effectivly diluted the concentration (water) or more effectively burned the ketone bodies for fuel (exercise) leaving less to 'spill over'.

Many of us show nothing on the stix and continue to lose wieght. Don't let those things rule your life, they are a guide only. And please check out Doreen's article under "low carb tips " about Ketone Bodies and Ketone Test Strips .

Nat

Too quick for me Nat... Maybe I'll just go read for a while eh?

No wonder I can't get passed the moderate level. I drink tons of water during the day.


Thanks so much for the quick response.

Has anyone noticed a day or two of trace or even negative results around TOM, where darker results ( I know not better) would have gone before? Doods

I usually go out of Ketosis before TOM and for a few days into it.

I also seem to go out of Ketosis about a week and a half later as I ovulate.

So, for me, hormonal cycles seem to affect the amount of ketones present in my urine and, I believe, my fat loss. I.E. hormones seem to affect the times during the month that my body wants to deal with getting rid of the excess fat.

I think this applies to most women who are still menstruating. I also think this is why men tend to lose their weight faster and more consistently--because they don't have the dramatic monthly changes in hormones that we do.

Anyway. that's my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps.

yes it did help, thankyou. Good to hear that i am not the only one. It has been perplexing me. Doods