Yeah I bought the strips. Best time to uses them I read somewhere is 2 hours after eating and that it is essential you wait the 15 seconds before reading the results. 9 lbs is great for the first week so i wouldn't worry about the strips

I managed to stay drink free for the first while too I then started to drink Jack Daniels & diet 7up instead of pints. The weight keeps coming off for me so maybe try something like that first. Another option would be Bulmers Light there is a post lower on this forum.