The container-tracking approach is one of the more reliable hydration methods - it removes the mental math from an already demanding day. The external structure tends to work better than internal monitoring for people trying to hit consistent targets while managing medication side effects.
LDL improvement typically lags weight and glucose changes by a few months. Four days of cardio and heavy lifting is excellent for lipid optimization - that combination improves HDL and triglycerides more than LDL alone. Fiber is the specific lever for LDL.
6 weeks at a low dose with that level of side effects is a real test. The people who stuck through the early phase describe the turnaround clearly - it does improve. The diabetes and energy benefits follow.
Having something in the stomach before the dose - even just a small amount - takes the edge off consistently. The titrating nature of the first few months means each increase resets the adaptation clock.