In February 2021, I dedicated the shortest month of the year toward snubbing a handful of shitty habits, eating nothing but animal products, and taking up Jiu Jitsu as a new hobby. Last year was a mental battle from the jump; I was working as a Sales Rep, waking up as early as 3am and getting off between 1pm and 3pm. I worked on the road, Monday through Friday, driving around Tahoe slinging coffee and grinding. My decision to pursue the endeavor spawned from a boozy bender that lasted from November 2020 until January 2021. My mental health and overall motivation had been ravaged by my own doing and it was time for change. I gave up alcohol, nicotine, fruits, vegetables, junk food, sweets, video games, social events, and more to focus on my physical and mental health. The journey was arduous, but the results were powerful.
This year, I’m entering February 2022 on a high note with a different set of circumstances. Nicotine is no longer a vice, my mental health and overall outlook is in a much better place, and now I get to work from home from 8am to 5pm. My relationships are prosperous and life is tangibly better.
Alas, the dichotomy of good and bad swings in tandem. I retain the belief that life is built on momentum and I’ve been coasting on positive momentum for the past few months. This position enables me to relax and operate from a place of comfort and clarity; for that I am thankful. However, I’m weary of this position because I look at my circles and recognize a pattern linking comfort and laziness. I find that when we insulate ourselves from trivial pursuits, we grow soft and skew toward mediocrity. That scares the shit out of me, so I take certain measures to avoid that pattern of behavior. Having experienced a handful of hardships throughout my 25 years, I’ve learned that life is what you make it when you elect your own struggles. Rather than take a passive stance on life’s peaks and valleys, I prefer to subject myself to challenges and extremes that force me out of my comfort zone to harden characteristics like grit, willpower, and fortitude.
And so, without further ado, it’s time for Carnivore Diet Round 2.
Monday, January 31st, 2022: DAY 1, “A Man’s Gotta Eat.”
I woke up this morning excited by the fact that I’m starting this mental adventure today, not tomorrow. For the next 29 days, I’ll be adhering to a set of self-imposed rules and restrictions that include: only eating meat/organs/eggs/milk/honey/bananas/oranges/apples, no vegetables, no alcohol, no nicotine, no video games, daily journaling, daily mindfulness and meditation, daily exercise (minimum 1.5 hours), daily creation (writing, producing NFTs, drawing, etc.), and daily gratitude.
Breakfast, 10:30am
- 3 eggs, cooked over easy in butter
I’m a freak about texture and straight up eggs made me a little queasy. Other than that, I’m satiated and plan to eat in 2 hours.
Lunch, 12:30pm
- ½ pound of ground beef, cooked in butter, medium-well
I feel clear-headed and sharp. No real cravings for anything different, but I know that’s subject to change later on. I am noticing that I’m thirstier than usual and seem to be drinking more water. Back to work!
Snack, 2pm
- 1 banana
My breath was pretty awful and I was feeling a slight lull in my energy so I snagged a banana. I rarely eat bananas in general, so this is a nice break from the norm. 30 minutes later, my energy is up, breath isn’t as rank, and I’m back on track.
Pre-Gym & BJJ Snack, 4:45pm
- ½ pound of ground beef, cooked in butter, medium-well
- 1 Granny Smith apple
An hour after work, I hit the gym to do some mobility work and play around with the kettlebells. My stomach felt a little empty, but I got my heart rate up and finished my workout before heading to Jiu Jitsu. Class went over well and I didn’t notice any dip in energy or ability; it should be noted we ran out of time to roll, so we wound up drilling for the majority of the session. I left feeling motivated and incredibly hungry. My patience was vanishing with each step as I climbed the stairs. I got home right around 8pm and was delighted to see Kenzie had just thrown chicken in the oven. With 40 minutes until the chicken was done, Maverick (my one-year-old Black Lab) started vomiting up undigested food, bits and pieces of sticks, a yellowish liquid, and bile. The kitchen reeked of sour garbage and delicious chicken… through all the clean up, my hunger never waivered. I washed my hands and fixed a plate. A man’s gotta eat.
Dinner, 8:45pm
- ½ bag of Trader Joe’s buffalo jerky
- ½ pound of chicken, baked with lemon juice, salt, and pepper
Late Night Snack, 10pm
- 12 oz. whole milk
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 2 scoops whey protein isolate
- Blended with ice until milkshake consistency
Tuesday, February 1st, 2022: DAY 2
I woke up this morning bloated from last night’s wannabe milkshake. I like to pretend I’m not lactose intolerant, but milk and whey protein like to tell me otherwise. The bloating isn’t too extreme and will likely subside when I find the urge to poop. I’m mentally clear, hungry, and ready to take on the day.
Breakfast, 9:20am
- 1 banana
I was starving after my morning meetings and didn’t have time to whip up breakfast until after 10am, so I grabbed a banana to tide me over.
Real Breakfast, 11am
- 4 strips of bacon (no nitrates or nitrites added), cooked in butter
- 2 eggs, over easy, cooked in glorious bacon grease
So far I’m feeling pretty good, I do notice that I’m constantly feeling hungry. Part of it has to do with the fact that meat and fruit doesn’t take up a lot of space in the gut and the other aspect is differentiating boredom from hunger. I’m a big fan of absentmindedly snacking, so when I’m not shoveling handfuls of trail mix into my mouth it feels a little out of character.
Late Lunch, 2:15pm
- 4oz baked chicken
- 2 navel oranges
I was feeling an afternoon lull and needed to eat. I could sense that my concentration was slipping as I worked and decided it was time. A few hours after my late lunch, I was hungry once more. I was getting a little hangry and Kenzie called me out for having some attitude. Mentally, I’m feeling slightly tired and I think it’s due to the sudden lack of abundant calories with this diet. Part of what makes this diet so effective in dropping weight is how difficult it is to meet your body’s maintenance calories (it takes roughly 2800 calories each day for me to maintain my current body weight and muscle mass).
Snack, 4:45pm
- 4oz baked chicken
Jiu Jitsu felt great today. I was focused throughout the class, felt energized for its entirety, and learned something new.
Dinner, 8:45pm
- ½ pound salmon
- 2 navel oranges
- 2oz baked chicken
- 8oz frozen pineapple
I went to bed feeling full, tired, and ready for tomorrow. Then Maverick blessed us with a tiny pool of puke at 4:30 in the morning. On to the next one!
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022: DAY 3
I woke up this morning with a light headache that I’m attributing to poor sleep. After a shower and my beloved French press, my headache evaporated. My outward behavior is good, but I’m feeling cranky and my tolerance for bullshit is at an all time low. Admittedly, I think that’s a good thing. Who needs to tolerate nonsense? Some of my favorite interactions with people are cut and dry, no filler, and straight to the point.
Breakfast, 11am
- 8oz baked chicken
Short and sweet: that hit the spot.
Lunch, 2:45pm
- 12oz of ground beef, burgers
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Pre-BJJ Snack, 5:10pm
- 1 navel orange
Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu were great. My energy levels were solid, I felt strong, and it served as a much-needed outlet for my hangry attitude this afternoon.
Dinner, 8:45pm
- 3 ground beef burgers, 12oz
Despite knowing I need to eat more calories, it’s difficult to stomach a significant amount of meat without getting nauseous or even worse… the meat sweats. At this point, I gut what’s left on my plate, wait for it to settle, then come back for some oranges or frozen pineapple for a late night snack. I tend not to eat apples or bananas at night for a few reasons; night-time apples are a no-go because they act as a mild stimulant and a banana before bed makes my sinuses work overtime gunking up my nasal passages.
Late Night Snack, 10pm
- 2 cups frozen pineapple
Thursday, February 3rd, 2022: DAY 4
I’ve decided to reduce this portion of the review to a handful of things: a food log, reporting on good/bad moments, and anything else notable. I can only assume you’re about as interested in my menial bullshit as I am. That being said, I’m not constipated but I haven’t had a significant poop since Day 1. I’m just emotionally preparing for the floodgates of last year’s experience.
Breakfast – SKIPPED
Got way too caffeinated this morning, appetite got killed by excess of coffee
Lunch, 12:15pm
- 3 chorizo sausages
- 3 eggs, over easy
Afternoon Snack, 4:15pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Pre-BJJ Snack, 5:35pm
- 2 navels oranges
- 1 banana
Dinner, 10pm
- 16oz beef tenderloin, cooked in butter, rare
Late Snack, 11pm
- 2 cups, frozen pineapple
Friday, February 4th, 2022: DAY 5
I had a hard time falling asleep last night… possibly due to digesting 1 pound of meat right before bed. Thankfully I woke up energized and excited to take on the day.
Breakfast, 10:30am
- 5 chicken sausages
Lunch – SKIPPED
Afternoon Snack, 4pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Dinner, 8pm
- 1 jumbo coconut prawn
- 3oz ahi, seared
- 26oz tomahawk steak, cooked rare
Late Night Snack, 11pm
- 4oz parmesan-crusted Salmon
- 2 cups frozen pineapple
Saturday, February 5th, 2022: DAY 6
In the past 6 days, I’ve had one satisfying poop. The rest have made me question whether I’m constipated or not. When I woke up, I thought to myself: today is the day!
Breakfast, SKIPPED
After half a French Press, a 16oz nitro cold brew, no food and no water, I might’ve been ready to kill a man. I was so hungry and caffeinated that it was difficult to think.
Lunch, 12:35pm
- From the Whole Foods Hot Bar:
- 6 meatballs
- 8oz spicy sausage
- 10oz pulled pork
Oh man, was I right. It was as if the floodgates opened and the clouds parted. The poor bathroom didn’t stand a chance. After the destruction, Whole Foods released a statement saying, “All we can do is rebuild.”
Dinner, 9:10pm
- 2 spicy Italian chicken sausages
Late Night Snack, 11:30pm
- Blueberries, raw honey, collagen, and coconut shavings
- 3.5oz Trader Joe’s beef jerky
Sunday, February 6th, 2022: DAY 7
I didn’t drink enough water yesterday, so I woke up with a mild headache. A little water down the hatch and I’m good as ever.
Breakfast, 10am
- 2 Trader Joe’s bratwurst (not my favorite)
Lunch, SKIPPED
Afternoon Snack, 2:45pm
- Duke’s spicy shorty sausages
Dinner, 5:30pm
- 3 rice paper shrimp
- 10oz New York strip, medium rare
Late Night Snack, 10:30pm
- Blueberries, honey, collagen, coconut shavings
- 2 Trader Joe’s bratwurst
- 2 navel oranges
Monday, February 7th, 2022: DAY 8
First week is in the books! I woke up before my alarm clock and stayed in bed until 7am. I might be on the carnivore diet, but let’s get this bread.
Breakfast, SKIPPED
Lunch, 12:15pm
- ½ pound ground beef marinated in red wine and thyme, cooked in butter with 4 eggs and mozzarella cheese
Snack, 5pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Dinner, 9pm
- ½ pound ground beef marinated in red wine and thyme, cooked in butter with 4 eggs and mozzarella cheese
- ½ pound oven-baked chicken thighs
- 1 cup of whole milk
Tuesday, February 8th, 2022: DAY 9
I’m noticing I’m a little leaner, I feel less hangry throughout the day, and I’m mentally clear through the afternoons. When I notice a lull, I grab a piece of fruit (usually an apple or an orange) and I’m back to baseline.
Breakfast, 10am
- 1 Banana
Lunch, 12:25pm
- ¼ pound baked chicken
- 1 Granny Smith apple
I went to the gym before BJJ and got a quickie in. I felt like I didn’t eat enough and didn’t have my best performance at jiu jitsu. Considering switching gym sessions to morning before breakfast so that I have gas in the tank for jiu jitsu.
Dinner, 9pm
- ½ pound baked salmon
- 1 cup whole milk
Wednesday, February 9th, 2022: DAY 10
I bailed on a 7am spin class with friends after waking up with a mild headache. After some more sleep, water, and an espresso, I felt like a million bucks.
Breakfast, SKIPPED
Lunch, 12:30pm
- 1 pound ground beef, 3 eggs, ½ cup of mozzarella cheese
Dinner, 9pm
- ½ pound baked chicken
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 2 cups Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp raw honey, ½ cup of blueberries
Thursday, February 10th, 2022: DAY 11
If I’m being honest, this form of the carnivore diet is very maintainable. The only downside has been the set of rules I placed for myself that have dictated no booze. I’m not even the biggest fan of drinking, let alone being drunk, but there is a social aspect that I enjoy. I can still hang out with friends and do other things, but alcohol sounds better than usual because I’ve determined I’m not going to drink for the month of February (and a week prior). With the Super Bowl on the horizon, few things sound better than steak and a cold beer with the homies.
Though I’m at the crossroads between discipline, willpower, and temptation, I know that I retain the power of choice. With that said, it’s time to go kick today’s ass.
Breakfast, 10am
- 1 banana
Lunch, 12:25pm
- ½ pound Trader Joe’s orange chicken
Snack, 3:10pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Pre-BJJ Snack, 5:40pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Dinner, 9:30pm
- ½ pound Trader Joe’s orange chicken
- ¼ pound baked chicken thighs
- 1 star fruit
Late Night Snack, 10:30pm
- 2 cups Greek yogurt, 1 cup blueberries, 2 tbsp raw honey
Friday, February 11th, 2022: DAY 12
I woke up with the wind in my sails and a full tank of gas. Something about today feels great and I must say it feels like the Universe and I are working in sync. It’s not too often that it feels like everything is going my way, so I’m going to make sure I savor each moment today!
Breakfast, SKIPPED
Lunch, 12:10pm
- ½ pound baked chicken thighs
Afternoon Snack, 5pm
- 3.5oz Trader Joe’s Buffalo jerky
Dinner, 9pm
- ½ pound ground beef with 3 eggs and cheese
Saturday, February 12th, 2022: DAY 13
Breakfast, 9am
- 1 banana
Lunch, 1pm
- ½ pound ground beef
- 3 eggs and cheese
- 1 Granny Smith apple
Dinner, 7:30pm
- 1 pound top sirloin steak
- 1 egg over-easy
Sunday, February 13th, 2022: DAY 14
Breakfast, 9am
- 10oz New York Strip
- 2 eggs over-easy
- Cup of fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, pineapple, blueberries
Lunch, 3pm
- 9 chicken wings
- 1 25oz beer – Corona
Yes, you read that right! I drank a beer as I played pool with a friend and watched the Super Bowl. I bloated up almost immediately but besides that I felt fine. 3 weeks without booze and I must say I was feeling a little loose after one drink. Back to sobriety for the rest of the month!
Dinner, 9pm
- ½ pound of ground beef
- 2 eggs
- Cheese
Late Night Snack, 10pm
- 1 kiwi
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 tbsp raw honey
Monday, February 14th, 2022: DAY 15, “Planned Cheat Meal for Valentine’s Day”
Breakfast, 9:30am
- 1 golden pear
Lunch, 12:30pm
- 4 Trader Joe’s bratwurst sausages (they still suck and I’m never buying them again, thankfully there aren’t anymore in my fridge)
Dinner, 7:30pm, Cheat Allowance
- 1 spicy chicken sandwich with pickles and coleslaw
- Garlic truffle fries
- Crispy mac n cheese
Dessert, 9pm, Cheat Allowance
- Dark chocolate dipped strawberries
My stomach hurt so badly after the bread, veggies, and chocolate. The bloating was pretty significant and I did not feel great, but that’s what I signed up for when I decided to order food outside of the diet plan.
Tuesday, February 15th, 2022: DAY 16, “Bloat”
I had a hard time sleeping last night with how bloated I was. When I woke up this morning, my stomach felt like a hard balloon and hurt like a motherfucker. I’ve got a before and after picture, 12 hours apart.
BEFORE: 7pm, Monday 2/14
AFTER: Tuesday, 7am 2/15
The difference is visible, and how I feel is significant. Poor sleep, stomach pain, bloating, the need to poop and inability to do so, morning grogginess. Ironically, some of us feel this way everyday and accept these feelings as a normal part of life. I’m glad to have eaten different food and enjoyed Valentine’s Day, but I also recognize how the carnivore diet has positively affected my mind, body, and spirit. Back to meats, organs, fruits, honey, and some dairy!
Breakfast, 9:30am
- 1 banana
Lunch, 12:30pm
- 3.5oz Trader Joe’s buffalo jerky
Dinner, 8:30pm
- ⅓ pound baked chicken
Late Night Snack, 9:30pm
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 kiwi
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
Wednesday, February 16th, 2022: DAY 17
I woke up feeling well-rested and excited for the day. I’m still a little bloated, but I’m counting on this espresso and cold brew to get everything moving before noon.
Breakfast, SKIPPED
Lunch, 12:30pm
- ½ pound baked chicken
- ½ personal watermelon
Afternoon Snack, 2:30pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- 3.5oz Trader Joe’s buffalo jerky
Dinner, 8pm
- ½ pound baked chicken
Late Night Snack, 9:30pm
- ½ personal watermelon
Thursday, February 17th, 2022: DAY 18
The past two days have been out of the norm. The weather switched from 50 degree sunny days to bone chilling winds and gloom. Producing results at work has been an uphill battle and it feels like my tires are spinning. Only in the afternoons, starting right around 4pm, I feel irrational rage for nothing in particular. It has no logical grounds or apparent trigger, yet it reminds me of unbridled teenage angst. My anger is tethered to nothing, yet aimed at everything. I’m genuinely trying to mitigate these feelings so I don’t project them onto Kenzie, my dog, or anyone else. I’m thankful to have jiu jitsu as a physical outlet to work out my demons; when I leave the mats, I’m too tired to be angry and the endorphin high helps me separate myself from these negative feelings. More to come…
Breakfast, SKIPPED
Lunch, 12pm
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- ½ pound baked chicken
Lunch #2, 3pm
- ½ pound ground beef
- 2 eggs scrambled
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Dinner, 9:30pm
- ¼ pound pulled chicken
- ¼ pound al pastor
- 2 skinny margaritas
Post-Dinner Drinks, 10pm
- 1 shot of whiskey
- 1 25oz Trumer Pils
- 1 pint Hazy IPA
I have elected to end the diet. I’ve noticed fantastic results and I feel great, however the strictness of my self-imposed rules limit the experiences I get to enjoy with my family and friends. Going forward, I plan to practice a similar level of restraint while allowing room for fun and flavor so I don’t get sweaty every time I pass the ice cream aisle.
REVELATIONS: Lessons, Takeaways, and Suggestions
- Sustainability
- Health is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking on an extreme diet or exercise regimen requires discipline, planning, and commitment. Look at what behaviors and actions are sustainable. Set realistic expectations of yourself and what you plan to accomplish. Don’t set a lofty goal that you won’t achieve when you encounter obstacles; when you inevitably encounter struggle, have compassion for yourself and lean toward persistence.
- Consistency
- Real, sustainable results require time and consistency. You won’t lose 50 pounds in 2 weeks, let alone 1 month. You don’t jog a mile and expect to complete a marathon the following week. Obesity is a product of consistency when you consistently make poor food choices and opt out of regular exercise. Plateaus and stagnation are products of consistency when you don’t increase the level of strain necessary for growth. Consistency with food and exercise, when programmed properly, yields healthier results. It’s not rocket science.
- The 1% Better Approach
- Optimized consistency is found at the intersection of sustained effort and incrementally increased strain. Some may know this as the “1% Better” method. In short: if you focus on bettering yourself by +1% every day, after 100 days you’ll be 100% further from where you started (theoretically). Life has a funny way of presenting us with challenges that tend to knock perfectly-charted plans off course, but struggle makes life that much more exciting. Don’t be dissuaded by difficulty or failure, just commit to getting 1% better each day.
- Clarity
- I’ve gained a better sense of clarity throughout this experience. I have emerged with a strengthened level of comfort in the face of adversity. I have a better idea of how and what I want to eat, how I want to exercise, when I decide to make allowances, and what I want out of life. I’m more in tune with the kind of foods my body requires at different points throughout the day, which foods provide me with sustained energy, and which foods are going to keep me satiated for an extended period of time.
- Personal Changes – Gut Health, Inflammation, Energy
- I plan to maintain most of this diet, sticking to minimally-processed foods that include most animal products and fruits. I’ve noticed my skin has been clearer, mind has been sharper, sleep has been better, and my body seems overall happier. Prior to the diet, my knees were really inflamed from years of heavy squats and more recently abuse from jiu jitsu. After Day 14, I realized I didn’t have any inflammation in my knees. I wish I’d taken photos because my knees have changed shape. Additionally, I’ve noticed I have better sustained energy levels in and out of the gym. No more afternoon/post-meal crashes while feeling clear in the mornings and solid in the gym or on the mats.
JANUARY 31, 2022 FEBRUARY 28, 2022
If you’re interested in learning more about the carnivore diet, nutrition, and information about health foods beyond Mike’s bro-science, check out Paul Saladino’s website at https://carnivoremd.com/ and his Instagram @carnivoremd2.0
Read my mind. 