Difficulty getting into ketosis

[Sally99]

I did a urine stick this evening and it is negative for ketosis .

I'm normally a real carbs junky so thought I was doing really well - but obviously not. I don't know where I'm going wrong especially as I am combining the low carb and 16/8 fasting diet. I only eat between 1pm-8 pm (that's actually 7 hours!).

My diet over the last 10 days has consisted of:

Protein: Eggs, cheese, chicken, tuna in brine or spring water

Fat: Extra virgin olive oil, butter, double cream

Veg: Iceberg lettuce, celery, cucumber, courgettes, runner beans (so many in the garden) and a few cherry tomatoes (also in the garden)

Red wine in moderation and absolutely litres of black coffee

I haven't dared get on the scales over the last 10 days as know that if I haven't lost weight, I will give up.

Where am I going wrong?

Do you use an app like Carb Manager to track your macros? Maybe your ratios aren't quite right for ketosis?

I know nothing about keto but isn't booze very high in sugar?

You need to track quantities of what you are eating and drinking and then reassess.
Black coffee can trigger insulin response, same as too much protein. Red wine and veg can be carby so track net carbs for quantity. It doesn't take much at all to reach 20g nrt carbs per day which is keto diet's limit. Some stretch to 25g net carbs a day but anything more is not keto but low carb.

I've braved the scales this morning and have lost just over 2lb over 7 days so even if I'm not in ketosis, I must be doing something right!

I suspect it is too much veg that is keeping me out of ketosis. Although I'm not vegetarian, my diet leans in that direction so it is the hardest thing to limit.

I read that red wine over 12.5% volume is ok (although vodka and soda is the recommended alcohol if you want to drink), so I should be allowed a small glass of my 13% wine!

That's great - you don't need to be in ketosis to lose weight on a low carb diet, although it would speed thing up. Also you have to be realistic, if wine is an important part of your lifestyle then there is no point giving it up as you will just feel deprived and that's no way to live :)

Alcohol is the easiest source of fuel for your body, so all the time you're drinking, your body isn't burning fat. (It also does have carbs)

And as @CeibaTree says, you don't have to be in ketosis to lose weight.

What is a typical day's menu like? (I know you've posted the foods you're eating, but it's easier to help if we can see what your actual meals have been)