I guess I was too excited to get started that I didn't read the book good enough the first time, so I have been re-reading. I decided to start over with induction and am going to give this another shot. Hopefully I get it right this time. When I started the first time I lost 4 pounds right away, then didn't lose any, then gained 2 lbs. I have been reading through all the posts and am wondering where I went wrong.
That said, I have been reading a lot about people still counting calories along with the carbs, fat, and protein. I wasn't doing this. I was only watching the carb content. Now I feel calorie cautious. Are there really calorie limits? I thought we weren't supposed to be worried about counting calories.
I started using fitday.com, but I am noticing that the carb contents seem to be a little bit higher that what nutritional content on packages say.
Another problem I seem to be having is that I have always been a big vegetable eater. I have a hard time limiting them just because I like them so much. I am trying to measure them more carefully.
I didn't bother with ketone strips the first time because I lost a few pounds quickly at first, but I bought some last night. Question here is when is the best time to use them. The book said in the evening, but I drink so much water that I wonder if it wouldn't be better in the morning. By the way, Last night I used the first strip and it didn't turn, but this morning it turned slightly. Ok, I guess I answered my own question.
Encouragement right now would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, I usually drink anywhere between 104 - 128 oz. of water. I never have been a big fan of pop or tea.

First let me say you do not have to "start over". Induction is just that. Introducing you to a new way of eating. Since the strips are turning color you are in ketosis, so why go back to induction levels when you are already where induction wants you to go?

Just doesn't make sense.

Second, since you have so few pounds to lose to hit your goal you will lose more slowly. You are not going to see 20 pounds fall off in two weeks. The people that show 20 pounds loss those first few weeks are those that needed to lose 60 or more pounds. You can normally expect to lose 10 percent of your goal the first 2 weeks. So want to lose 20? That is 2 pounds of loss.

Third, do not think of this as a diet. It's not. It is a new way of eating and should be made into a life long goal. If you treat it as a diet you have learned nothing about maintaining a healthy weight. The more you yo-yo diet the harder it is going to be to take weight off even at induction levels. The body will adapt and will not respond.

With all that said, good luck

Agonycat,
Thanks for your reply. I wasn't exactly thinking of this as a "diet." I do understand that this is a WOL.
I tend to get discouraged very easily. My progress or lack thereof is something that just makes me analyze how I may be doing this program.
I also realize my weight loss may seem very low compared to a lot of others, but it is a personal quest that I feel very strongly about.

Trust me....I know the feeling. It has taken me 12 months now to lose 47 pounds. At least the scale didn't move the other way right?

It didn't come off over night that is for sure. Just letting you know that if you do hang in there it does come off sooner or later. Mostly later.

Enjoy the health benefits that come with eating a healthier way and know that it does work, it just takes time.

I think it's wise of you to reread the book. Understanding what you're doing is so important. And I'm glad to hear you are a big WATER drinker. That is so important. I do not think going back on induction is what you need to do. But reassessing how you are eating and how it lines up with the book is a good idea. This is a process, and you will figure out what works for you. Have you checked to see if you are eating enough...calorie wise. Sometimes your body holds onto everything it's got if you don't feed it enough and it goes into starvation mode. Like Agonycat mentioned...you are close to goal weight. So losing will be slower than some of the folks here that have much more to lose. Be patient with yourself. Victoria