I just checked my urine for ketones and the stick was moderate (dark purple) to the next level (2nd from the highest)-----does this DEFINITELY mean I am in a fat burning stage? There's not some kinda flukey reason as to why this would otherwise happen, right?

I don't understand why the only time I show ketones is in the afternoon---never in the morning.

So even though my scale isn't budging, I am losing fat, correct??

Thanks,
"T"

as long as there is even a trace of ketones registering you are definitely in ketosis, it doesn't have to be the darkest. Some people can be in ketosis and never register on the strips. You are definitely burning that stored fat through your energy. If the afternoon testing works for you thats great.

Hi trw, My ketone strips are only medium pink and I am still loosing weight. For 2 weeks the scale didn't even move but I took my measurements and they were getting smaller.
Good Luck , Carrie

Some people never show ketones in their urine and still loose weight just fine. During the first two weeks I showed ketones, after that I didn't (and I've been in induction for 12 weeks). It really doesn't mean anything as long as you are following the diet and dropping pounds and/or inches. Also, note that ketones only show up if your body has excess ketones. If you are very active and exercise strenuously, you may never show ketones.

Hi all,

If you go to Low Carb Tips on the orange bar at the top of the screen, you'll find an article by Doreen T called "Ketosis and Ketone Test Strips" where she explains it fully.

HTH

Rosebud

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I've read that article on Ketones. I was just wondering (and hoping) that there isn't a fluke-like thing that could cause ketones to show up. Like I would be the 1% that would show them from something else. But if you all say that any color on the stick means I'm burning fat---then I guess I'm burning fat! I haven't shown them continuously throughout my 3 weeks--just off and on. Sometimes really light, and today was just exceptionally dark for some reason.

Now COME ON SCALE----show me some numbers!!!!

"T"

I have noticed that when I don't drink all of the water that I normally try to get down everyday, my sticks are darker than when I do, so I suppose that my urine is diluted somewhat which would account for this. I have also read that most people don't show color in the mornings so they suggested to me to only test in the afternoons, and some have said they only test about an hour after their last meal of the evening.
I usually test in the afternoon. Can't wait till night, lol.

Yes, dehydration definitely produces ketones.
Also, drinking alcohol and just eating a fatty meal can show as a "false positive." All in all, there are a lot of variables. Many of us here have found that they are just plain too unreliable.

I think the best thing to do is just follow your plan, and test now and then if you wish. Personally, I think the strips are a total waste of time and money. The results that count are the ones that comes from the scales, tape measure and mirror!

Rosebud

Amen, Rosebud.

Did you drink the purple Kool-Aid prior to the testing?
Best wishes;
Jake