Diet and exercise: help or harm???

Hi all. I love this forum. There is so much information here. I have done some searching and found some answers to my questions, but I'm hoping to get some additional expert advice.

Here's the situation... I am 5'3", about 155 lbs. I have been on a high protein, low carb, low fat diet for about 4 weeks now and I've lost about 12 lbs. Prior to last Monday, I was a regular smoker. Not a ton, but a daily smoker. Last Monday, I got a call for an interview. I have a job (that I hate) and this is a big opportunity for me to have a job that I love. So, I immediately stopped smoking as of Monday evening, approximately 1 week ago. Today was the job interview. I think it went pretty well and I found out they called to check my references almost immediately. I'm thinking my chances are decent. I'm not sure if a U/A will be required, but there's a good chance since I'd be working with teens... I will know by Friday and that will give me about 2 weeks clean. I figure I can buy another week or so of time as I will need to request original transcripts from my university, so probably about 3 weeks or so clean.

So, basicallly I don't know anything for sure yet, but my paranoid tendencies have me FREAKING OUT already.

I may be getting ahead of myself, but if the time comes, I'll probably use dilution. I've done so in the past. I've been reading a lot of good stuff about substitution, but I lack a source for clean urine. And I think I'd be to scared to use the "fake" stuff.

I've read that exercise can help, but you should stop 3 days prior. My first question is will the fact that I'm dieting and losing weight make my thc levels higher? Should I stop dieting for those 3 days prior to the test as well? Or if I'm planning on using dilution does it not matter?

My second question is in regards to the testing itself. I see different posts about the sample being sent to Quest etc. How do you know which lab your sample will be sent to?

Thanks in advance for any advice you have to give me.

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My first question is will the fact that I'm dieting and losing weight make my thc levels higher? Should I stop dieting for those 3 days prior to the test as well?

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Yep. Anytime youre burning fat cells, the stored THC metabolites are released back into the bloodstream and end up in the urine. Youd want to be as dormant as possible until after the U/A. That way you wont be releasing a bunch of THC metabolites into the bloodstream, which would end up in the urine to be detected.

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Or if I'm planning on using dilution does it not matter?

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It can matter. Because dilution techniques (regardless of method) can backfire if the THCA concentration in the bladder is too high. For most longtime daily smokers, it would be virtually impossible to dilute that concentration enough without overdiluting and sending up the red flags at the lab.

Burnt Toast, Thank you for your reply. You seem very knowledgable on this subject. But now I'm worried...

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Originally Posted by Burnt Toast

It can matter. Because dilution techniques (regardless of method) can backfire if the THCA concentration in the bladder is too high. For most longtime daily smokers, it would be virtually impossible to dilute that concentration enough without overdiluting and sending up the red flags at the lab.

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You mention overdiluting... Does this mean that dilution is not going to work for me? I am a daily smoker. I was clean for about 6 months last year to the point where I was testing clean w/o dilution, 1st urination of the morning. I started up again in about June of 2012 and have pretty much smoked daily. Sometimes a few hits from the dig dug, sometimes a bowl or two.

Any suggestions for me??? I'ver read results can depend on the kind of test that the employer pays for.The place I interviewed for is a non-profit agency so if they do test, I don't imagine they'll be paying for the mack-daddy of tests. Does this make a difference?

Ok... I know I haven't got a response yet, but my mind is running a million miles a minute... I'm giving some serious thought to using substitution should the time come where I need to have a u/a.

Can someone please explain the risks with using synthetic such as Quick Fix? I've read a whole bunch of posts and I've seen a lot of success stories, but it still makes me nervous. What would they need to test for to find out that it is synthetic? Also, I see posts about getting a "bad batch" and different versions of Quick Fix. I'm not a dumb person, but I just can't wrap my head around it all.

I might have a friend that I could ask for a sample. But the sample would have to be frozen as I most likely would not be able to obtain the same day as the test. Also, it's not exactly an easy topic to bring up, "hey, would you mind peeing in a cup and letting me store it in my freezer for a bit?"

I guess I really want to know about all the risks involved in using synthetic and which would be a better scenario... using the QF or sucking it up and asking for a clean sample.

This is all so nerve racking and I don't even know if I will be offered the job or if they will do a drug test. Anyone know of a way to find out if a company tests? googled everything I can think of and can't find anything.


Thank you for reading and/or responding to my paranoid babble :)

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You mention overdiluting... Does this mean that dilution is not going to work for me? I am a daily smoker. I was clean for about 6 months last year to the point where I was testing clean w/o dilution, 1st urination of the morning. I started up again in about June of 2012 and have pretty much smoked daily. Sometimes a few hits from the dig dug, sometimes a bowl or two.

Any suggestions for me???

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I would suggest getting a few more THC test kits and do some dilution 'practice drills' to see if youre able to pull off a successful dilute without overdiluting.

When doing your practice drills, have some validity test kits at hand so you can keep tabs on your creatinine and specific gravity. Validity test kits are inexpensive and are found online by doing a Google search for "drug adulteration test kits".

Before doing any practice drills, use one of the THC test kits to test your first-morning void, like you did before. The rest of the THC test kits can be used during your practice drills to check your efforts.

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Originally Posted by SmokingMakesMeNormal

Ok... I know I haven't got a response yet, but my mind is running a million miles a minute... I'm giving some serious thought to using substitution should the time come where I need to have a u/a.

Can someone please explain the risks with using synthetic such as Quick Fix? I've read a whole bunch of posts and I've seen a lot of success stories, but it still makes me nervous. What would they need to test for to find out that it is synthetic? Also, I see posts about getting a "bad batch" and different versions of Quick Fix. I'm not a dumb person, but I just can't wrap my head around it all.

I might have a friend that I could ask for a sample. But the sample would have to be frozen as I most likely would not be able to obtain the same day as the test. Also, it's not exactly an easy topic to bring up, "hey, would you mind peeing in a cup and letting me store it in my freezer for a bit?"

I guess I really want to know about all the risks involved in using synthetic and which would be a better scenario... using the QF or sucking it up and asking for a clean sample.

This is all so nerve racking and I don't even know if I will be offered the job or if they will do a drug test. Anyone know of a way to find out if a company tests? googled everything I can think of and can't find anything.


Thank you for reading and/or responding to my paranoid babble :)

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All of your sub-related questions have been addressed and answered many times. The Forum Search button is your friend. :thumbsup:

Thanks again Burnt Toast. I have used the forum search... just haven't had any luck with finding the specific answers I'm looking for. My eyes are literally buggy from reading posts all night. Good thing I'm abstaining... can't imagine how paranoid I'd be if I was partaking right now lol. I'll keep searching though. Never can get enough information I guess.

I took your advice and purchased some adulteration test strips. I was able to test negative with an at home test after loading up on some h20. I was just doing a preliminary test to see how much would be required to dilute. Now I'll wait to see what results I get when I use these strips. Hopefully they get shipped soon.

I know the feeling, I was there this last week with a surprise UA after 3 years where i work, whole department got the notice. I went through a dozen pee strips trying to clean out in a week. It was a no go on a consistent Negative that was not dilute. I tested positive 50% of the time after not smoking for a week and burling heavy exercise. I had to go the sub route and to be honest it was extremely easy to pull off. I had a single sample UA, which is probably just them testing a strip and saying positive or negative. Now I wait to see if no news pops up. I have read like mad looking for really bad news on synth urine and havent found it. it seems the labs, if they are the big labs (labcorp, Quest) cant tell fake urine based on the tests they do.. Nor do they really want to since it is an expense for them to run these extensive tests on a UA which cost a client something like 100 bucks to order.

So here is to hoping.. but from what i have found everything seems to be reasonably effective so long as you are able to hold a bottle in your crotch for an hour or two at the right temp.

Thanks for the info FirstSubNervous. Good luck!

I am sooooo nervous! I guess in your case, no news is good news.

I'm debating on whether or not to order QF. I guess I'll wait to find out if I actually get the job offer.

It's enouraging to hear your story, especially since some of the information I've found on the forums isn't current. I think that is what makes me the most nervous about subbing is that some of the posts are from several years back. A lot can change in a year or two.

Good luck and keep me posted on your results!

I am in what seems to be the exact situation you are in SMMN, but Im looking at a large corporation where I fear they may be willing to spend bigger bucks on the tests. Please keep us informed on how your situation progresses as it could be of a lot of use to many of us.

Best of luck!!!

The only question I can answer is the one about knowing where it's going. It's going to be at the top of your chain of custody form. It will also have the test code (not sure what a better word for that is) somewhere at the top. I googled the one on my chain of custody form to read more about Quest's specific protocol for that test.

Good luck to you, I hope you are offered the job and pass with flying colors!