Hi! Sorry for this one, but I am really curious. Okay, I have been on induction since Dec. 26. Having alot of trouble, blah blah blah, old news, anyway, I use the ketosis strips, a few times a week.
Yesterday when I used one, instead of the usual light pink, they were as dark purple as they could be. Which is strange because I upped my water intake on account of the leg cramps I am still getting. I can't possibly be dehydrated. Today I checked and it was still just as dark. Could it be that I am finally really burning fat? I have been eating more veggies, and I cut out the Atkins bars. I also have been drinking green tea (decaf) maybe my metabolism is finally progressing from that of a snail? Oh please, somebody tell me this is good news!! I thought I had lost six pounds, but as of Saturday, I was back up EIGHT, so I am really really ready for some good news. No difference on tape measure, but I only measured my waist and thighs. Too depressing to measure my chest - don't want to lose there, if you know what I mean! I guess it is possible I am losing fat in my wrists or earlobes. Any thoughts anyone? I am getting really really sad, I could use some encouragement. Thanks all of you for listening, I love reading all the information on this forum.

-Jess

In answer to your question about the strips - the colour often depends on when you test. If you test after eating fatty foods, the strips may show darker than you normally see.

About not losing - the journey down to your goal weight is not a straight downward journey. Many things affect weight loss. The body has a natural tendancy to rest along the way, showing no loss of inches or pounds. Sometimes a few pounds will creep back on. Those pounds could just be a bit of extra water from something you ate.

Hang in there. If you stick to it, you will lose in the long run. Patience is a virtue when it comes to weight loss - whether you are LCing or on ANY weight loss program.

Jessea - What ever you do, don't quit! Keep posting here - the people here are great at encouraging you to keep on going! I've only been here a very short while, but I've received many notes of encouragement & have learned a lot by reading through other people's journals & other threads.

Remember, you are doing this for you! Think long term - any weight loss, no matter how slow, is better that where you began! We all have times where we gain, but we just re-evaluate our eating habbits, cut back if necessary, and move on. You'll begin to see results if you just stick to it!

Here's a cheer for you to keep on low-carbing

Thanks for the encouragement, I really needed it! I guess the weight not coming off wouldn't bother me if I felt good. But I just feel awful. I am getting terrible leg cramps, even tho I am taking all the right supplements, and drinking alot of water. So I can't exercise. I still feel fatigued and get alot of headaches. I think I might make an appointment to see my doctor, although I dread it because I know he won't like that I am on Atkins. I am not sure if it is still the candida making me feel this way, or my bum thyroid. Either way there are no easy answers for me, and it is just more frustrating than I can put into words. Thanks again, and I will keep posting!

-Jessea

Hi there

I have a bum thryoid gland too, and I would strongly suggest you talk to your endocrinologist about the leg cramps, etc. This way of eating may very well impact your medication(s). It did for me.

Whenever I have too much or too little synthroid (T3), I GET SERIOUS CRAMPS in my legs and neck (which often lead to bad bad bad headaches). Also, taking Cytomel (T4) reduces my cramping and other hypothyriodism symptoms (as it appears to do for many).

A little technical aside. Your functional thryoid produces, among other things, T3 (in larger quantities) & T4 (in smaller quantities). The lining of many of your organs is capable of converting T3 to T4 (though inefficiently), which is why the gold standard for treating Hypothyroidism (lack of throid hormone) is give T4, let body convert to T3 as necessary. Problem with this is that while blood tests appear to bear this out, MOST patients still complain of Hypothyroidism symptoms, including slow metabolism, loss of hair, constipation, etc. etc. Giving T3 (cytomel) throws the blood tests off, but makes you feel - well - like you! before the thryroid went south.

For what it's worth Good Luck!

Jen

Thanks for the info. I am currently taking Levothyroid, and Cytomel. I am taking very low doses of each. I never even thought that maybe my meds needed to be adjusted. Thanks - I will call my doctor asap and get tested. I have been on meds for thyroid for 15 years. I took Synthroid for 14. I made my doc switch me because I got a "bad batch" of Synthroid, and went SUPER HYPERTHYROID - scary! My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my body. I really want to try Armour but that is difficult to get prescribed, it was like pulling teeth just to get him to add the Cytomel. Just getting diagnosed with a thyroid problem is hard enough. I read an interesting article on about.com about the possibility that hypothyroid symptoms, candida and fibromyalgia are all inter-related, and all caused by candida. I have all three, so it makes ya think.

Thanks again for the help! I will post my results when I get them!

-Jess

Hope you're doing better this week

I did some reading this weekend, and came across an article about diabetes. Leg cramps, numbness & tingling, and weakness are major symptoms of active diabetes. If you are still experiencing those symptoms, I'd say see your doc sooner rather than later...

Good Luck!!!