fluffytofit, congratulations on a successful induction!
Don't worry about the fluctuations. They are normal. They drive us crazy, but they ARE normal!
If you are counting your carbs carefully, eating enough fat, and staying on plan, you probably can't help but be in ketosis.
The ketosticks aren't essential, but I found they helped me a lot in the beginning just to reassure myself that great things were happening inside my body whether I could see them on the outside or not.
Enjoy wearing that size 8!!!