Lots of people do, but I don't bother with checking. I do get the metallic taste in my mouth often which is one of the signs of ketosis; I think as my carbs are extremely low, and I'm visually losing fat, as long as that continues I don't need to worry about using stix to check my progress.
Congrats on yours as well and yeah if keto didn't work for you to stick with, everyone si different. I'm finding this kind of diet extremely easy to eat, even eating out often.
Skinless mostly for convenience, almost every grocery store here sells them skinless; rarely do I see breasts with skin unless you buy a whole chicken OR go for some of the marinated types that I'm not a fan of (prefer to make them myself how I like).
I have read through the link you posted, it does slightly go against other stuff I have read, but I'm not qualified to really say who's right or wrong in that whole debate (and the one here between you and dyna mo / the demon) - so for the moment at least, I will stick with what's working for me.
Aside from the first few days, I actually have a lot more energy, sharper brain and am even waking up much earlier than I used to (I used to hate mornings). So it would appear at least my brain is getting the glucose it needs at this time.
I have been, have a list of some to try out
Yeah I'll be starting the lifting next week - so we'll see after a few weeks how it goes. I plan to follow a 5x5 routine I found, increasing weight 2.5 lbs per week.
The only change I am planning to make (aside from adding in the pre and post workout meals) is to try and make every meal be 65/30/5 and spread the fibre out more as opposed to lots of fat in one meal, then little in another, then lots in another, etc... just to see if that improves anything.