Miles to go and so much to learn!

Hi everyone! I'm Tanis and I'm ready to dive-in and make Keto-living my new normal! I've been testing the waters for about 10 days now, while researching and learning as much as my 56 yr old brain can handle. Wow, what a learning curve! It's hard not to get overwhelmed by all of the great resources available out there but I'm thinking I'm going to land here, on the CM app, since it seems to be the most comprehensive and user-friendly.  I've also watched some great vids on a YT channel called Virta Health, featuring a Dr. Stephen Phinney, and he by-far explains it all the best imho. I tend to respond better to full explanations of the bio-chemistry at play, rather than generalizations and the good Dr. makes it all make sense to me.😉  He explains that there is no need for anyone to suffer "Keto flu" because the reason most people get that crappy feeling is due to too little sodium in their diet now that the processed junk has been cut out, and also due to dehydration. So drink water, keep your sodium up and give him a watch, and you'll find all kinds of great info.   The other thing he discusses is the importance of having your healthcare provider monitor any meds you're on because they will need to be carefully adjusted along the way as your hormones adjust to your new keto biochemistry. He stresses this point a number of times. 

One question I do have, is that I read or heard somewhere that there is some kind of home blood-test available which measures ketones more accurately than the Ketostix which measure ketones in urine, but I'll be darned if I can find it anywhere! Is anyone familiar with this blood-test method and if so, where do you get them? It's not something I'd trust from Amazon but I'm running out of ideas. Thanks and sorry for the long-winded 1st post.😊,

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    • OkleyDD
    • OkleyDD
    • 4 yrs ago
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    No. Negative I actually went with the sticks. Try amazon maybe you can find it there. Today is day 7 for me and I’ve lost 4 pounds !!! Good luck 

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    • Pat F
    • Pat_F
    • 4 yrs ago
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    Hey Tanis!  Welcome aboard!  

    I’ve also read/watched a LOT of Dr Phinney and found him very informative.  I bought two of his books (with Dr Volek): ‘The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living’ and ‘The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance’. Very good reads - and both are now heavily highlighted and underlined throughout.

    as for testing, they recommend the blood test (finger prick) as the best and most accurate.  I invested in a Keto-Mojo tester (Amazon) as it allows testing of both blood glucose and ketones.  It uses two separate sticks but can test from the same blood prick.  The ketone test sticks are a little pricy at $.99/per, but I figure this as ‘investing in myself’.  Once you get the hang of things and see how you’re stabilizing, you can reduce testing so it’s not like multiple tests for the rest of your life.  Very happy with the convenience and results.

    Hope this helps and good luck!

    Keto on!

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