My Experience On The Carnivore Diet

Before anyone comes after me, I call myself carnivore-ish… I am technically on an animal-based diet, not necessarily carnivore.

If you follow me on social media at all, you know that the carnivore diet has become… basically my entire personality. I’ve gotten quite a few questions about it so here’s a little bit of how I’m doing carnivore, why I’m doing it, and what everyone wants to know… my results! (Skip to the bottom if you just want to see the result photos.)

What is the Carnivore Diet?

Here’s the ChatGPT definition: A type of eating plan where you consume only animal-based foods. Unlike more traditional diets that encourage a mix of food groups, the carnivore diet focuses solely on meat and animal products.

That’s pretty spot on. I’ve basically been just eating animals. Steak, beef, bacon, chicken, egg, cheese, and cooking with butter only - no oil! If you’re doing the carnivore right, you should be looking for grass-fed meats only. (I do my best but it’s not always easy!!)

Full transparency though, I am still eating fruit to get some carbs in me. For as much as I’m working out and running, I was scared to ditch them all together!

But bread… nope. Pasta… nope. That one’s been a bit hard, your girl looooves some pasta.

Why did I get on the carnivore diet?

It was a quick decision when I found out what the carnivore diet was. Literally. I watched a few videos on it one Friday morning (Shoutout TikTok FYP!) and that afternoon my co-worker and I said let’s do it. We gave ourselves the weekend to submerge ourselves in all the carbs we wanted and started the following Monday.

From my very quick research, a lot of people turn to the carnivore diet to improve gut health, manage autoimmune conditions, or boost their physical and mental performance. I mean, who doesn’t want to watch a video that starts with An Easy Way To Improve Your Gut Health or another that said How To Stop Feeling Bloated After Eating.

On top of that, imagine quick grocery trips, straightforward meal-planning, fewer processed foods, and simple cooking nights. Sounds pretty good, right?!

From animal to plate (not exactly, but a girl can dream)

Going carnivore-ish has been a game changer for me in the grocery store. The simplicity of the diet has made meal-planning a breeze (because, let’s be real, cooking up a steak is way easier than some feast).

It’s also been fun getting to try new things. Just a small change like buying grass fed meats to grabbing things off the shelf that I would never think of pre-diet… like who knew raw cheese was so good?

Anyway, the only struggle I have with cooking on this diet is remembering to set the meat out to thaw. And honestly, I did that pre-diet anyway!

It’s so nice not to have to worry about making sides, making sure it all times out to be ready together… All I’m setting out for sides is my fruit!

Training on the carnivore

Running on this diet? Surprisingly awesome. I guess the fruits are giving me enough carbs to feel great at my workouts and the protein-heavy part is repairing my muscles quick. Resulting in my body feeling supercharged… yet light? Does that make sense? I can lift heavier in the weight room, but I feel so light on my runs and can move quickly. Who knew that less carb-loading could still work wonders for endurance?

What you all are looking for: my results

Here’s the real tea.

I dropped 7 pounds without even trying. I’m kicking myself a little bit because I took a couple weeks off from running when I started the diet (not because of the diet, just because), and I’m curious what those three weeks would’ve been like while starting the diet.

It was funny though, they say that you know before anyone else knows that you’ve lost weight. You feel it and can see it because, well, it’s you. But on (LITERALLY) day 3 of the diet Mandy (my co-worker that is doing the diet with me) said, “Is it just me or did you feel extra skinny this morning?”

WHICH I DID AND SO DID SHE! We were 3 days in and already feeling so much better – Our body started detoxing right away.

Moving on…

I am feeling much more toned. Yes, maybe because I’ve lost a few pounds but since it’s such a protein heavy diet, I’m building muscle quicker. It’s not like I’ve changed any workouts, I’ve just felt stronger to lift heavier. You’ll see some change in my photos below. But I want to emphasize that I haven’t changed any workouts… I’ve only changed the food I’m eating.

Bloating and inflammation is out. I haven’t felt bloated after a meal on this diet which is crazy since I used to feel bloated constantly. On top of that, inflammation and puffiness. My face has leaned out and I don’t feel puffy in the mornings!

For forever I feel like I’ve always crashed in the afternoon. I was always looking for that afternoon pick me up, either an energy drink, a coffee, a “fun drink” like a dirty soda… but on this diet I don’t need it! Like seriously don’t feel the need to hunt for something to get me through the day.

Something that has also disappeared is my sweet tooth (for the most part). I used to be the girl looking through the chocolate drawer at work around 2 p.m. (part of the afternoon pick me up) but now, that craving is gone. I will say sometimes I just want something sweet (but don’t crave it) so I’ll cut up an apple and drizzle some honey on it – a fav snack!

I also am noticing a HUGE change in my allergies / asthma this fall. Last year I was on the struggle bus. Taking my inhaler everywhere, leaving my nebulizer out in case I needed it in an emergency, being so nervous to go outside after it rained because I just knew it was going to be a bad breathing day. But since the diet, I haven’t used my rescue inhaler once, I don’t even know where I put my nebulizer, and I’m not nervous leaving the house during the weather change. Is this because of the diet? Well, I don’t see any studies on it but if it’s working for me, I’ll take it.

The last big thing I’ve noticed is a change in my sleep. I’ve been sleeping great since starting the diet. Sleeping hard and like a baby. At first, I found it hard to wake up once my alarm went off, but now I don’t find it that hard. I wake up totally ready to take on the day. I guess my body got used to it?

Another change is I was never hungry in the mornings. I usually just waited for lunch to eat something, but not on this diet. I wake up HUNGRY. That’s definitely been a hard change to get used to.

So, is it worth it?

It genuinely feels like I’ve hit a reset button on my health. My body feels detoxed (for the most part, I’ve had my weak moments and splurged on some non diet processed foods. Didn’t feel too great after that.) I feel more confident in my body and how it’s looking. My face doesn’t feel puffy and inflamed. And I just feel good.

Seriously, I didn’t feel this good when I was in soccer season and playing everyday. The wonders of what food does to you!!!

If you aren't sure about the diet, I totally get it. I decided to do it on a whim and it turned out to be great. Remember, I only did it for a month (a really fast month). If you want to try it out, do that! All I ask is that you at least make it 2 weeks so your body can settle into the new rhythm.

Don't quit on it too early.

For now, I’ll be sticking to my carnivore-ish lifestyle. It works for my body, my training schedule, and apparently my asthma? Who knows… maybe I’m cured!

Post-holiday season

After the month of animal-base meals was up, we headed to Mexico and the holiday season was close behind. I took some "time off" from the diet because I wanted to indulge in all that Mexico and Christmas had to offer.

My body immediately noticed what was up. Especially after getting home from Cancun. I started to feel the afternoon lag again, craved chocolate, my face broke out... as fast as my body detoxed when I first got on the diet was how fast my body started going back to "the old ways".

Now that the new year is here and our holiday festivities are over, back to carnivore I go!

MY GRUB:

BEFORE: Inflamed, Puffy, Uncomfortable, Break Outs

AFTER: Slimmed, Toned, Clear, Confident