I'm around your age, 43 and started keto 12/11/13. It's important to stay consistently under 20G for most people the first 4-6wks. Your body has to become adapted.

My body is now getting locked in and I'm feeling the benefits in increased energy, clarity, etc. I'm also doing Stronglifts and this past week I finally had gains in my lifting. So as hard as it is to be strict with the 20G, it really does make a difference.

I don't mind adding anyone who is looking for friends, so feel free to add me if you're interested. I'm still relatively new to keto, I've been at it for almost 3 months, but I do my research and I'm happy to be anybody's "guinea pig" if it will help you! Lol...if you haven't yet, I'd highly recommend using the keto calculator at http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/ to calculate your macros. Ideally, it's best for your calorie intake to consist of 70% or more fat and less than 5% of carbs, with the remainder being protein. Realistically (for me anyhow) I usually hit about 60-65% calories from fat, with 7% or less from carbs and approx. 25-30% or so from protein. But I usually do a lot better when I can keep my fat on the higher side while keeping my calories from carbs under 4%.

Above all else, listen to your body! We all react just a teeny bit differently on this diet, so if there's something that doesn't work for you, omit it for a while and see what happens. Don't be afraid to play around until you find your "just right" ratio. And good luck! If you're dedicated and pay attention to what you're putting in your body, you will go far on this diet

I am pretty new to this as well. Feel free to add me! My diary is open to friends.

:flowerforyou: Your welcome to add me, I just started about a month ago and I'm learning as well.
Linda

My diary is open.

Please feel free to add me as a friend!

I am posting recipes on my blog here.

As others have mentioned, it takes a couple of weeks to become keto-adapted.

The ketone test strips don't always show how many ketones you are burning. This is because the color of the strips varies depending on how much water you're drinking and excreting. And when you start using ketones for fuel, less shows up in your urine.

Hi,

I started on January 1st and have found that the Bulletproof coffee is a GODSEND! Right now, I'm mostly eating breakfast and dinner and don't seem to be very hungry after that. Last night I made some awesome meatballs from ground beef & chorizo and had a small salad with full fat blue cheese dressing. Best meal that I've had since starting this lifestyle.

Currently my plan is to stay under 20g of carbs for 8 weeks. I'm not sure how people eat so much food on this way of eating but most of the time I'm not hungry and find that I am eating for fuel, rather than hunger. I'm also a little scared to venture into cooking with no carb flour, diet sodas, sugar free treats etc. since I'm not much of a snacker and I feel like that would be riding a slippery slope.

I'm happy to accept friends, please add me and I can share my diary. Five pounds down today (from the holiday gain) back to my beginning tracker weight.

Best wishes everyone.

My diary is open to the public if you want to look

I started on January 1st and have found that the Bulletproof coffee is a GODSEND!

(snip)

Currently my plan is to stay under 20g of carbs for 8 weeks. I'm not sure how people eat so much food on this way of eating but most of the time I'm not hungry and find that I am eating for fuel, rather than hunger. I'm also a little scared to venture into cooking with no carb flour, diet sodas, sugar free treats etc. since I'm not much of a snacker and I feel like that would be riding a slippery slope.

Your instincts are good. If you cut out all sugars and starches, you will rapidly lose your desire for sweets. In not much time at all, even some veggies will taste "sweet", and things like diet sodas might even taste cloyingly sweet. But if you immediately start making LC sweets, you might be tempted to have them every day, and you won't be getting the bulk of your carb allowance from salads and veggies (which is where you should be getting them).

A lot of people like bulletproof coffee. I usually drink mine black, but lots of folks report high energy from adding the butter and coconut oil to their coffee.

I started December 2013 and my diary is open. Feel free to add me!

I have an open diary and am always looking for new keto friends. Feel free to add me.