Carnivore Diet

[Duh]

I went hunting for 5 days and did vacuum sealed bags of beef, half stick of butter, two chunks of cheese, and pink sea salt. Froze them and warmed them up in the boil for about 5 minutes (helps if you leave them out for a few hours). Each package was 1.5 lbs and I did 2 of those a day. I also added blue berrys as an added pick me up. I haven’t had fruit in about 8 months before this and It worked out well. I’ll probably keep the blueberry’s in rotation from here on out.

We hunted hard and covered between 7-10 miles most days, with a good bit of elevation gain. My cardio was so much better this year that previous seasons.

Overall, I dropped 7lbs in the 5 days but I never felt like I was dragging or weak. I did have to take more LMNT than expected to deal with cramping issues. Wasn’t too bad if I kept up on hydration.

 

[Chris_in_Idaho]

I started carnivore on 7/15 so I'm just 10 days in. Down 13 pounds 289 to 276 in the first 5 days and then maybe one more pound in the second 5. My face looks different, and I can now see my whole belt buckle. I realize this was all water that my body let go of as I depleted my glycogen, so not a real change, but it still feels good.

What I didn't expect is going so long between meals and not really feeling hungry. A couple days (including today) I only ate once. Other days I'll have one bigger meal and then one smaller snack before bed. I didn't really plan or try to do this but I can see myself settling into an OMAD groove.

My question is: will it be better to consciously try to limit total calories or just eat plenty as long as it's critters?

Like today my one meal came out to 1350 calories which seems pretty small to me, but I don't feel like I'm starving either. Is it better to make a little bit of an effort to eat somewhat small like this or is that somehow going to hinder me?

My long term goal is 1 chin and no cpap...

Oh yeah, for anyone thinking about this, I didn't pee out that 13 pounds of water... A few days in I started adding a little psyllium fiber with my meal and that seems to be a solid improvement.

Day 126, 50 pounds down, 289lbs with 38% body fat & 29% muscle to 239lbs with 26% body fat and 36% muscle. I was losing a steady 3 per week for the first three months or so then it slowed to 1 pound per week for the last 3-4 weeks and this last week I actually gained a pound back.

I think I've been steadily eating more and more. It's been all meat, cheese and eggs and a tiny bit of milk in my coffee. Today I began eating planned out meals that total 2,000 calories per day, and I have eliminated the cheese. I'll see if that gets the needle moving again after this week.

I definitely feel better. I've gone from 2XL to L shirts and 40" waist to 36". My blood pressure has gone from 135/90 to 116/70. I had blood drawn on day 0 and again on day 90, my high liver enzyme is now normal, and my A1C went from the verge of pre-diabetic to mid normal range. When I wake up, my knees and ankles don't ache like they used to, probably due to 50lbs less abuse with every step.

My instances of tendonitis seem to be more frequent of late (knee, then elbow, then foot, now knee again), I don't know if that's coincidental or if I'm deficient in something. I do wake up with calves cramping up pretty frequently. I'm going to start supplementing potassium.

I'll get another round of labs in January.

That's all for now.

 

[ztc92]

Day 126, 50 pounds down, 289lbs with 38% body fat & 29% muscle to 239lbs with 26% body fat and 36% muscle. I was losing a steady 3 per week for the first three months or so then it slowed to 1 pound per week for the last 3-4 weeks and this last week I actually gained a pound back.

I think I've been steadily eating more and more. It's been all meat, cheese and eggs and a tiny bit of milk in my coffee. Today I began eating planned out meals that total 2,000 calories per day, and I have eliminated the cheese. I'll see if that gets the needle moving again after this week.

I definitely feel better. I've gone from 2XL to L shirts and 40" waist to 36". My blood pressure has gone from 135/90 to 116/70. I had blood drawn on day 0 and again on day 90, my high liver enzyme is now normal, and my A1C went from the verge of pre-diabetic to mid normal range. When I wake up, my knees and ankles don't ache like they used to, probably due to 50lbs less abuse with every step.

My instances of tendonitis seem to be more frequent of late (knee, then elbow, then foot, now knee again), I don't know if that's coincidental or if I'm deficient in something. I do wake up with calves cramping up pretty frequently. I'm going to start supplementing potassium.

I'll get another round of labs in January.

That's all for now.

For the cramps, consider adding magnesium as well; your body can’t use all your potassium if magnesium level is low. Also be sure you’re getting enough water.

 

[Chris_in_Idaho]

For the cramps, consider adding magnesium as well; your body can’t use all your potassium if magnesium level is low. Also be sure you’re getting enough water.

Good to know, thank you!

 

[ScottP76]

Yeah look at some of the electrolyte drink mixes LMNT for example. 1000mg of Sodium should help with cramps. When I was a few months in had bad joint pain but started drinking more water and Electrolytes. End of December will be my 6th year Carnivore

 

[khuber84]

Celtic sea salt by Selina, has a ton of minerals. Drink lots of water, I shoot for a gallon daily, I usually put 1pkt Lmnt and a teaspoon the celtic salt per half gallon. I train often, sweat a lot, rarely get cramps.

 

[ScottP76]

Celtic sea salt by Selina, has a ton of minerals. Drink lots of water, I shoot for a gallon daily, I usually put 1pkt Lmnt and a teaspoon the celtic salt per half gallon. I train often, sweat a lot, rarely get cramps.

You get it from Amazon or a Health store?

 

[khuber84]

You get it from Amazon or a Health store?

Either or, my local natural grocers carries it, Amazon sells it. I put that stuff on everything. I prob ingest way more sodium than necessary, but my blood work all looks way better than it did a few years ago.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Day 126, 50 pounds down, 289lbs with 38% body fat & 29% muscle to 239lbs with 26% body fat and 36% muscle. I was losing a steady 3 per week for the first three months or so then it slowed to 1 pound per week for the last 3-4 weeks and this last week I actually gained a pound back.

I think I've been steadily eating more and more. It's been all meat, cheese and eggs and a tiny bit of milk in my coffee. Today I began eating planned out meals that total 2,000 calories per day, and I have eliminated the cheese. I'll see if that gets the needle moving again after this week.

I definitely feel better. I've gone from 2XL to L shirts and 40" waist to 36". My blood pressure has gone from 135/90 to 116/70. I had blood drawn on day 0 and again on day 90, my high liver enzyme is now normal, and my A1C went from the verge of pre-diabetic to mid normal range. When I wake up, my knees and ankles don't ache like they used to, probably due to 50lbs less abuse with every step.

My instances of tendonitis seem to be more frequent of late (knee, then elbow, then foot, now knee again), I don't know if that's coincidental or if I'm deficient in something. I do wake up with calves cramping up pretty frequently. I'm going to start supplementing potassium.

I'll get another round of labs in January.

That's all for now.

Agree with an electrolyte mix such as LMNT. Also make sure you are consuming enough fat, my weight loss was similar to your story but I never counted calories. I just rode the wave and ate until I felt satisfied or the food stopped tasting good. At the 7-8 month mark the weight started coming off again. Went from 255 down to 188 in about a year, I run 40 miles+ a week now along with resistance training. Zero joint pain, that is with three ruptured discs in my back and a shoulder that has had two reconstructive surgeries from a work accident. The cramps and joint pain are most certainly from a deficiency, the electrolyte mix and ensuring you are eating enough fat (for me - 70% fat, 30% protein) should help you a lot. Good luck and congrats on your success so far!!