I’ve tried Paleo, Keto, Atkins, 4 Hour Body. They all eventually fail for one reason. Too hard, too much work, I’m still hungry. I came across a Joe Rogan podcast with Dr. Shawn Baker (the first hour is great, the rest not so much) and the Carnivore Diet. Basically you eat Meat, maybe a little cheese, and drink water. That’s it. No counting Macros. No counting calories. No checking some magic list of acceptable vegetables. Basically, if it comes from a animal and doesn’t have added ingredients, your good to go. Eat as much meat as you want. So I started last Monday 8/13/2008. I didn’t take exact measurements for everything, which is turning out to be better for me personally because I’m not constantly checking everyday “what changed” as I’ve done in the past.
Weight
I started at 250 pounds and I’m now down to 235 pounds. Holy Shit, 15 lbs in 8 days! To be perfectly fair, I’ve had this kind of weight loss on Atkins / 4 Hour Body before. The week prior I ate / drank as bad as I’ve ever done before., and almost no workouts. I probably gained 5+ lbs.
Score: A+
Things I’m Eating
- Ribeye Steaks
- Flank Steaks
- Eggs
- Cheese Blocks
- Summer Sausages
- Spicy Italian Sausages
- Bacon
- A little lunch meat
- A little fish
- Coffee
- Water
- 1 zero calorie energy drink during workout (Rockstar)
I’m at the point I can eat 2 meals with a small snack and not think about food. It’s liberating.
Score: A+ (I’ve always loved meat)
Workouts
I try to do 3 -5 days a week of lifting. I usually pick two muscle groups and lift for 45 – 60 minutes. At first my workouts SUCKED. Not that I was tired just couldn’t lift normal weight amounts. I’ve added back in my zero calorie energy drink (Rockstar) and I seem to be back to normal.
Score: C
Sleep
Normal to better. I’m drinking so much more water now and at first I had to use the restroom so much more. That has leveled off.
Score: C
Feelings
I read all the people saying how much better they feel on this lifestyle. I had my doubts. I feel amazing. I’m mostly not hungry. I feel like I have lots of energy. My mind feels sharp.
I went thru a brief period of a dull headache early on. I could feel the lack of euphoria from eating carbs and sugar. That lasted 2/3 days. I’ve experienced that before. After getting over that hump, I feel so much more balanced.
Score: A+
Cravings
I had one bad day – day 6. I knew it was going to be a bad day early on. I have no idea why. I ended up eating more meat that day as a result I think but never broke.. I did have a diet coke on day 8. I just wanted one, it was kind of random. The rest of the days I have not been an issue at all.
Score: B