Hi tampa_baa--

I stayed on the Induction diet for several weeks (5), and continued to lose weight at a good rate throughout. After my weight loss slowed significantly, I added some foods specifically tailored to address health issues (avocados, nuts...to increase HDL), but continued to hold my carbs to less than 20 (sort of a "modified Induction.") I seem to get along fine without slipping into "starvation" mode...this is not true for everyone.

I don't use stix...there's never any doubt about ketosis from the wretched taste in my mouth. I've been visiting the mouthwash bottle about 6x/day since I started, and am seriously considering buying stock in the parent company of Scope!

In response to a recent weight-loss pause of two weeks, I revisited strict Induction for two weeks, and was rewarded by an additional 7 pound loss. This is what has worked for me...YMMV.