I can hardly believe it’s been almost a year since I began this carnivore-ish lifestyle. My start was soft, my landing was hard, and now I feel like I’ve leveled out at cruising altitude. In this post, I want to share what I’ve learned, why I started, the challenges I’ve faced, and whether or not I’ll keep going.
Why I Started Carnivore
Back on September 1st, 2024, I made the decision to begin easing into carnivore. My reason? Years of struggling with chronic health issues that modern medicine couldn’t solve:
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Joint pain
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Brain fog
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Inflammation
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Digestive and elimination issues
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Low energy and lack of motivation
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Strange neurological symptoms like tingling and stabbing pains
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Rashes, eye problems, and even tinnitus
Every lab test told me I was “fine.” But I knew I wasn’t.
I’d been eating what most would consider a very healthy diet—80% plants, 20% lean animal proteins, healthy fats, no seed oils, minimal sugar, and very little processed food. But I was still sick.
When carnivore videos and stories kept popping up in my YouTube feed, I started paying attention. Doctors like Dr. Ken Berry, Dr. Shawn Baker, Dr. Anthony Chaffee, and Dr. Lisa Wiedeman intrigued me. But even more powerful were the everyday stories from people just like me who were finding relief and healing.
And I thought: What do I have to lose?
From Soft Start to Hardcore Carnivore
I started carnivore-ish—more “ketovore” than strict carnivore—because I still had a pantry full of chia seeds, flax crackers, coconut water, raspberries, and almond flour recipes. I wasn’t doing it for weight loss, so I felt no rush.
But by February 2025, I decided to go all in. That’s when I hit a wall: oxalate dumping.
The pain and symptoms were intense—digestive misery, joint pain, eye crystals, rashes. I realized I had been unknowingly consuming 2,000–3,000 mg of oxalates per day through “superfoods” like spinach, nuts, cacao, black tea, and turmeric. For reference, the human body is only meant to handle 60–100 mg daily.
Thanks to Sally K. Norton and her book Toxic Superfoods, I finally connected the dots. My “healthy” foods were poisoning me.
What’s Changed in 11 Months
The journey hasn’t been easy, but I can honestly say it’s been worth it. Here’s where I am today:
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Brain fog is gone – I can think clearly again.
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Energy is back – I’m working out, hiking, and enjoying life.
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Cravings are gone – no desire for chocolate, wine, or even my beloved morning coffee.
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Freedom with food – grocery shopping is faster, cooking is simpler, and I don’t overthink meals.
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Slow but steady healing – I still have some joint pain and digestive work to do, but progress is undeniable.
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Hope restored – for the first time in years, I believe my body can fully heal.
My Daily Routine Now
These days, my mornings look different:
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Red light therapy before getting out of bed
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Sun exposure first thing to reset circadian rhythm
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Water with electrolytes, raw milk kefir, and bone broth instead of coffee
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Strength training 3x per week and hiking with a weighted pack (“rucking”)
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Simple carnivore meals built around beef, eggs, butter, dairy, and bone broth
I’ve even written myself a strict 30-day food plan that keeps everything dialed in and effortless.
Am I Staying Carnivore?
Yes. I’m not perfect, and I don’t claim to be. I still consider myself carnivore-ish. But the benefits are too great to ignore.
This way of eating has given me my life back—mental clarity, energy, freedom, and most importantly, hope. And I’m not about to give that up for chocolate cake, wine, or chia seeds.
👉 If you’re curious about carnivore, or if you’ve tried it but struggled to stay consistent, check out my Carnivore Playlist on YouTube and grab my Simplified Carnivore Shopping Guide at LowerToxicLife.com.
Your body is the ultimate science experiment. Be your own scientist. Test, track, and see what works for you.
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