I used a liberal ketogenic diet without testing initially and would have days off in the beginning. Once I committed to staying keto for 3 months, I really noticed the difference and so have very rarely been out of ketosis since then, only if I ate something by mistake or when traveling struggled to get what I needed. Since then, I have learned many strategies to cope better, e.g. taking coconut oil with me or sachets of MCT oil, using high fat beef jerky and cheese and nuts when traveling or hiking. I ate a late breakfast at around 10am, a small lunch or sometimes no lunch, early dinner at around 5:30pm, and had a long overnight fast period. I did weigh and track everything for a few days, but at the beginning, I wasn't particular about my macros. I just wanted to be in ketosis.