About the LC bars. I have tried them, also, although not in conjunction w/exercise. I absolutely cannot use them - the manu. may say that 20 of those carbs don't effect your insulin, but they knocked me out of ketosis immediately. They also made me very hungry and want to binge on carbs. Now, that's just me. If you use the ketostix (I do, very occasionally, just to check when I eat new foods, or am increasing my carbs), try using them several hours after you exercise (exercise also uses ketones, so they won't show up in your urine stream after exercise), and see how your ketosis is. Personally, I drink a VERY strong cup of coffee, complete with heavy cream and 1 pk of sweetner before I start my AM exercise - gives me the energy I need to live through it !

Good luck
Anna