Question about how to know if you're in ketosis without testing

MoiAussi93

I've been gradually reducing my carbs over the past year or so. First, I kept them under 150 net per day. The last few months I have usually been under 100. I recently (this is day 3) decided I am ready to keep them under 50. Ultimately, I would like to see how I feel with a ketogenic diet. I have read various things amount the amount of net carbs necessary to enter and remain in ketosis...some sources say under 50 grams, others say 20...I understand this can vary to some degree for each person.

Without going out to buy test strips or any other equipment (I would prefer to keep things simple if possible), is there any way to know with certainty if I have reduced carbs enough to actually be in ketosis? I have read about the strange smelling breath and things like that...but is that always present? Can I be in ketosis without any obvious signs? I know people on plans like Atkins usually start with 20 and move up, so in a sense I am doing it the opposite way...gradually lowering them until I hit the right level. Is there any disadvantage to this other than possibly taking a bit longer to enter ketosis?

Thanks

nicintime

Experiment if you're able.

Eat 20 grams total carbs for a week and you will be 99% certainly in ketosis.

Pay attention to your body and your "symptoms".

I've come to recognize ketosis in me and can't mistake it.

Energy, mental clarity, initial ketone smell in my urine, belt gets loose, and weirdly enough I can smell ketones in my pits if I don't use deodorant.

If you can, then do it and you'll know how your body reacts.

MoiAussi93

nicintime wrote: »

Experiment if you're able.

Eat 20 grams total carbs for a week and you will be 99% certainly in ketosis.

Pay attention to your body and your "symptoms".

I've come to recognize ketosis in me and can't mistake it.

Energy, mental clarity, initial ketone smell in my urine, belt gets loose, and weirdly enough I can smell ketones in my pits if I don't use deodorant.

If you can, then do it and you'll know how your body reacts.

Thanks, I may give that a try.

DittoDan

nicintime wrote: »

Experiment if you're able.

Eat 20 grams total carbs for a week and you will be 99% certainly in ketosis.

Pay attention to your body and your "symptoms".

I've come to recognize ketosis in me and can't mistake it.

Energy, mental clarity, initial ketone smell in my urine, belt gets loose, and weirdly enough I can smell ketones in my pits if I don't use deodorant.

If you can, then do it and you'll know how your body reacts.

^^^This^^^

and this:

Acetone Smell in Your Breath?
"Keto-flu" and Sufficient Intake of Electrolytes
Are You Having Charlie horse/leg cramps?
Need Potassium?

I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
103 pounds down, 21 to go.
It's Ketogenic or Bariatric Surgery! How I Found the Ketogenic Diet
Previous Discussions on the LCD & Keto Groups
Blog #10 Keto: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Terminology Used on the LCD & Keto Discussion Groups Updated
DittoDan's Keto Sub Groups Blog

MoiAussi93

DittoDan wrote: »

nicintime wrote: »

Experiment if you're able.

Eat 20 grams total carbs for a week and you will be 99% certainly in ketosis.

Pay attention to your body and your "symptoms".

I've come to recognize ketosis in me and can't mistake it.

Energy, mental clarity, initial ketone smell in my urine, belt gets loose, and weirdly enough I can smell ketones in my pits if I don't use deodorant.

If you can, then do it and you'll know how your body reacts.

^^^This^^^

and this:

Acetone Smell in Your Breath?
"Keto-flu" and Sufficient Intake of Electrolytes
Are You Having Charlie horse/leg cramps?
Need Potassium?

I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
103 pounds down, 21 to go.
It's Ketogenic or Bariatric Surgery! How I Found the Ketogenic Diet
Previous Discussions on the LCD & Keto Groups
Blog #10 Keto: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Terminology Used on the LCD & Keto Discussion Groups Updated
DittoDan's Keto Sub Groups Blog

Thanks! I ended up getting some of the ketostix. I tested this afternoon and was positive in the moderate range, so I guess I don't need to go any lower (I have stayed under 50 grams net the past week).

I didn't have the obvious signs like keto breath, but the past few days I have had a little lightheadness when standing up and just a little bit less energy when exercising. But your links are helpful, since I think I need to up my electrolytes a bit.