is the goal of low carb to be in ketosis?

If you are higher carb and get out of ketosis then you stop losing weight?

I really don't want to have to test myself for ketosis? But is that recommended?

I'm not sure what I'm asking except alot of people do 50g or less a day on here as far as carbs, I'm wondering if I'm fooling myself with the 5lb loss I've had a week or so ago.

Granted the last week I know I've destroyed any progress I made just by making really crappy choices, but before that I was doing well.

FD;

"My" definition of the low carb/high fat protocol goes something like this: (admittedly it's arbitrary and not "official" - just IMO)

> 100/day (or so) = NOT "LCHF" (yes 150 is lower than and "better" than 350 but one draws the line someplace)
>50 but <100 = "low carb"
<50 but >20 = "very low carb" VLC
<20 = keto induction after which it can be maintained by something >20 but <50 ("usually" and varies greatly by individuals).

To your question regarding keto being the "goal" of LCHF - My response would be that it MIGHT be A "goal" (for some) but need not be THE goal.

Keto "works" for some ("works" in the sense that they are both able and willing to do what is necessary to achieve it.

There is little question regarding the benefits of induction but for some it's simply not an option for whatever reasons.

Deciding not to go there is NOT failure - it's a choice.

Cutting from 150-300 to something under 100 is a MAJOR improvement.
Cutting from 100 to 50 beneficial but probably not on the order of magnitude of 300 to 100,
Keto induction yet another level of benefit but not an absolute requirement.

Entering and subsequently leaving ketosis probably would result in a small decrease in weight loss (just a guess on my part, I don't know of any specific research that would verify) based on the current understanding of how and to what degree the body switches from carb to fat utilization.

In the end, LCHF really ISN'T first and foremost about weight loss (think of that as a positive "side effect") - it's about long term health and wellness.

I just wanted to add that I have low carbed before. When I lost weight before having my son I had no idea what ketosis was or what ketones were...all I knew was eating low carb. I never tested obviously because I didn't even know that was a "thing". I still lost a lot of weight.

I do it now, like PPs said, to see where I'm at, where my limit is, and just out of curiousity.

is the goal of low carb to be in ketosis?

This depends on the WOE and eating plan.
Low carb for the sake of eliminating carbohydrates that you may be sensitive to is a WOE unto itself.
Many of the low carb plans start by going into ketosis to help drop water weight and provide relief from hunger during initial stages.
Ketosis in and of itself has many benefits, but weight loss is not guaranteed, nor is ketosis necessary for weight loss.

If you are higher carb and get out of ketosis then you stop losing weight?

Not necessarily. This is an individual thing. If you are through induction and are keto-adapted and following a plan like Atkins, using the "Ongoing weight loss" ladder or "OWL" a person adds foods/carbs back in until the determine their CCL (critical carb level for loss). Generally this is done with a level at a time adding 5 gm carb at a time.
If you find you are sensitive to carbs, it isn't reasonable to think you will ever go back to eating the same volume of carbs you once ate.
This is why low carb, low carb high fat or nutritional ketosis are considered "ways of eating" or "ways of life" NOT "diets".

I really don't want to have to test myself for ketosis? But is that recommended?

That would depend upon your plan and your goals.
Again, ketosis has many benefits, but weight loss is not one of them.

I'm not sure what I'm asking except alot of people do 50g or less a day on here as far as carbs, I'm wondering if I'm fooling myself with the 5lb loss I've had a week or so ago.

Granted the last week I know I've destroyed any progress I made just by making really crappy choices, but before that I was doing well.

It is difficult to go into ketosis for some unless they are under 50 gm of carb. It is difficult for some if they aren't under 20-30. This is individual and the ranges are a starting point.
It is possible for people to be ketogenic with carbs between 50-100. It is variable.

So why do something like a nutritional ketosis and do testing, etc if it is not guaranteed to assist with weight loss?
I can tell you why I do it:
Ketosis can protect lean muscle mass. This was important to me because I had some issues to work out with hunger sensations early on, and I believe fasting is a valuable tool as well. In an effort to protect lean body mass, I do both fasting and stay in ketosis.
Ketosis can provide energy, mental clarity and there is some proof it helps with diabetes, pre-diabetes, Alzheimer's, epilepsy and a few other brain-type conditions. My dad has diabetes and my mom is starting to develop a little dementia. I'd like to think I'm doing something proactive in order to do what I can to avoid these conditions.

There is more, but you get the idea.

It will depend upon your own personal goals, but you can certainly lose weight and have some improved health benefits by avoiding carbs found in healthywholegrains and sugars.

Monday is my 1 year anniversary of low carb. I have lost 111 pounds (264-153) and I have never bought ketostix.. Like another poster said, I stay in ketosis most all tue time and know by how I feel and my how mouth tastes..

I eat less than 20 g of carbs a day. My fat is about 100 g and my protein is around 110..