I made 100 days on Carnivore on October 10th!

Whoop!

When the resounding response to your Carnivore woes becomes, “you’re not fasting enough, you need to eliminate everything but red meat and even your electrolytes are making you bloated,” I believe we need to pause. I don’t doubt that the Lion Diet (ruminant meats, salt and water) is one of the best cleanses we can do to eradicate autoimmune conditions, heal skin issues, repair digestion and to reset our metabolism but when you’ve diligently eliminated 98% of your diet only to stumble upon fatigue, lethargy, weight gain and defeat – I encourage you to get very quiet with yourself and apply some discernment. We’re not all starting Carnivore from the same place. In fact, all of us are coming to this lifestyle from very unique circumstances with one thing in common: to feel our best.

Here’s the synopsis:

First 30 days (month 1) – absolute elation. Best ever days. Glory. Positive changes. Eliminated inflammation and fell in love with meat & animal foods. I got rid of excess bloating and regained my physical resilience.

Days 30-60 (month 2) – life hit. Our cat died, I lost my wedding band, we had to move & I experienced my first oxalate clearing which was very painful but I remediated quickly by remineralizing. I started to notice I just wasn’t making the mark but I stayed committed and “carnivore’d harder.”

Days 60-90 (month) – weight gain and confusion. My honeymoon had ended and I couldn’t figure out if I was meant to eat higher fat carnivore or moderate fat higher protein carnivore. Either way my energy was TANKING and I learned about gluconeogenesis. While some argue that converting the amino acids in protein to glucose for energy is a great thing, others argue that it’s energy costly. At the expense of our typical energy output the body goes into conservation mode, stores fat and announces silently: no major commitments, the tank is empty. Boy did I begin to feel this.

I began exploring Sardine Fasting, Fat Fasting but foregoing all water or dry fasting because going without food unless it’s between meals is not my jam. In hindsight – and with zero regrets – what I learned the most is that carnivore was teaching me a lesson I wasn’t quite ready to accept (pivoting happens for some people and for good reason).

From day 85 to 100 I began TRACKING using Carb Manager. Now this was a breath of fresh air especially as someone who doesn’t like calculations and strict measurements and has never believed we are destined to rely on scales. Tracking gave me real information on how much I was overeating. I had to stop blaming the dairy or the fact that I’m not a “good faster” and take accountability over the basics. Some days I was eating in excess of 1500 calories if not more mostly just from the star players themselves: fatty cuts of meat. Carnivores will argue that calories don’t matter but I promise you, lifer’s will also admit to eating only 1-1.5 lb of meat a day and that my friend is nothing to this Veteran High Volume Low Fat eater (raising my hand). I like to eat a lot damnit and don’t like feeling deprived.

On my carb manager app I set my Macros initially to High Protein Keto 5/35/60 carb, fat to protein. Once I started adding in a significant amount of carbohydrates (under 100g) I customized my settings to 20/40/40 which is roughly 86g carb, 170g protein and 75g fat. This has worked so well for my energy needs. I’m back to yoga, taking brisk walks and keeping up with my kids.

I cannot emphasize this enough – you cannot abide by anyone else’s plan – you have to go by what works for you, your lifestyle, your age and the demands of your unique experience. It doesn’t matter who you admire or what physique you think is ideal – you won’t get there unless you tailor your macros to fit your  OWN body.

I didn’t begin incorporating fruits/honey until I hit 99 days carnivore when I ate 1/2 an avocado. On day 100 I had an orange and 1/2 an avocado. The following day I reunited with honey in my coffee blended with coconut oil and tried some blueberries & strawberries. All with great success. I instantly (yet swiftly) felt inspired, grateful and energetic as if all I needed was a little pep to my step to help the process along.

_ HOLY IDENTITY CHECK _ 

I worked so hard to fit in to the carnivore mold only to make yet another shift 100 days later but let me tell you: 100 days of eating only meat is NOT NOTHING. I feel like I sacrificed my ego and my will and surrendered to the meat gods and let them do with me what they wanted (which included gaining 10 lb after losing 5). It wasn’t until the tail end that I reined my power back and had that come to Jesus talk which sounded a little something like:

Ok Carnivore. You got me. Have I failed or have you failed me? Were plants TRULY trying to kill me or was I blindly and voluntarily eating something harmful and brushing the warnings under the rug while sticking to my own confirmation bias that all plants are benign? Was I just looking for something else to blame? Was I looking for food to be my God or the planet’s panacea? = Probably all of the above.

No amount of perfect eating can do for you what self study will do which leaves 80% to lifestyle and the rest to your own conviction, responsibility, honesty and hard work (20%). It doesn’t all boil down to food at the end of the day even though food is a major part that cannot be dismissed.

• are you getting sunlight?
• are you drinking water?
• are you talking to your spouse? Are you asking for and giving validation?
• are you showing up for your work, making honest money and supporting your family?
• are you keeping your home organized and uncluttered?
• are you being a hard ass, stubborn and inflexible?
• are you prioritizing your sleep?
• are you accepting that you are YOU and what makes you full of potential is keeping your eyes on your own plate and inside your own body?

I’ve said this repeatedly at this point: Carnivore makes you vulnerable because it is the most extreme dietary approach and lifestyle shift. To eliminate ALL foods but meat and animal fat puts major demands on your body to rewrite its script. Your body’s native language is not hyper palatable carbohydrates and pharmaceuticals! Your body’s native language is discernment & respect. 

As always I pray this helps some-one. One person is a job well done.

I hope to continue to inspire those who want to better their lives, their body’s and their emotional resilience.

Before I close here’s the lowdown of what I’m currently eating:

• Lean protein (turkey, chicken, fish and pork loin) as well as fattier cuts like chuck roast and Tri Tip
• Eggs & egg whites
• Kefir and Whole Milk A2 Dairy (cream, yogurt)
• Berries, Citrus, Dates, Avocado & Coconut & coconut oil
• Seasonings
• Coffee.
• Raw Honey

Supplements:

• Magnesium & Minerals
• Vitamin D3
• iodine

I’m also focusing on getting my energy back, going to heated yoga every day, doing resistance training, walking, engaging with my husband and kids and providing the best I can for my clients.

I hope this finds you well and don’t hesitate to reach out via IG for a chat or book a session if I can be of any additional support for you @therapeuticeating

A hui hou!

xo Katie