Longbowgilly has started

Longbowgilly

I am on day 3 and going ok so far, while reading through this group yesterday I foung a link to the flexible keto calculator, I plugged in yesterdays food and came out with 1.64 for the day, not too bad but I will be using this a lot to keep me on track. I bought some ketosticks today and am already in the mid range. I am thinking of getting a Ketonix, does anyone here use one?
Looking forward to getting to know you all!

nvmomketo

Welcome to the group. I'm glad it is going well for you!

I don't use a ketonix but I'm sure someone who does will be along...

ETA I thought I remembered a recent post about Ketonix: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10305662/help-with-ketonix#latest

lowjax75

Welcome to the group! I tried ketosticks about 5 years ago and didn't like them. Just go by my scale and clothes now.

daylitemag

Welcome. I just use the ketostix.

Sunny_Bunny_

You definitely don't need the ketonix.
You're getting positive results with the urine strips. So the ketonix isn't going to tell you anything new.

Dragonwolf

It's common for you to stop getting results from the ketostix, because they measure ketones that the body is excreting as waste. When your body adapts and becomes more efficient to using the ketones, it is going to throw less out with the "trash," often resulting in the ketostix appearing that you're no longer in ketosis.

That's where the ketonix comes in, because ketones are on your breath even after they stop being in your urine.

That said, unless you need to be in ketosis for a medical reason, you don't really need any of the tools. They're useful for getting into the habit of eating more fat and fewer carbs in the beginning, but don't feel like you're obligated to use them.

Longbowgilly

Thanks for the welcomes!
I will just stick with the sticks then, the Ketonix is AU$240 here and I don't want to waste a chunk of money like that!

Christine_72

Hi from Adelaide

Sunny_Bunny_

It varies from person to person of course, but you will be making at least some ketones every day if you stay under 100g carbs, but typically need to stay under 50g to be in nutritional ketosis consistently. I say it varies because, it seems that different levels of carb sensitivity really affect where this cut off point lies for many people.
I, being someone that is not insulin resistant and having no metabolic distinction, seem to be able to maintain a moderate ketone measure by urine test as long as I stay under 30g total. If I go over this, I am able to maintain ketosis at the small level just fine. There has been only one day in the last 8 months that I got to nearly 100g and even then, I still tested with small ketones. However, I've heard others say that they are unable to even get a small ketone confirmation if they get above about 20g total and this often seems to be associated with IR and other metabolic issues. Ive also seen it mentioned by people that are IR that protein has to be closely tracked to maintain ketosis as well. Something about the body being more likely to create more glucose than just the minimum that's needed through gluconeogenesis. I think this is where conflicting information comes from regarding how much protein to eat on Keto. Being that if you're not IR, you're not as likely to need to limit protein for that reason.
As far as the urine strips becoming less likely to provide a positive or accurate measure once adapted, I've definitely read that all over the place, but it hasn't been my personal experience. I don't know why, but I think there's at least some connection to overall fluid intake. I don't purposely drink water or anything all day just for the sake of hydration. I drink when thirsty and don't keep tabs on how much water/fluids I consume, besides coffee. In many of the posts I recall someone being disappointed in getting a negative test even though being strictly Keto, it seems there is often mention of drinking "a lot of water" too. So, you can basically dilute the acetate you're testing for, producing a lower result. This is not any reason to drink less, just something to keep in mind if getting lower results than expected on the tests.