Losing body fat?

[Shortstuff]

I just use an unflavoured electrolyte powder that adds to water. Nothing fancy but cheap and effective, and without added sweeteners / flavours as I’ve found they don’t like me much.

[Karen18]

Hi Courtney, I went Carnivore 15 months ago. I started Keto woe in May 2020 and moved on to Carnivore November 2020 and not looked back I am very into my fitness and exercise both cv and weights. Yes the first couple of weeks of Carnivore woe I felt a bit weak but battled through. I stopped eating before working out as I couldn’t find anything that felt like it would stay down so felt that that was why I was feeling fatigued halfway through my workouts… 15 months in on Carnivore and my workouts are really great and I still don’t eat before them. I do CrossIt so very high intensity for the most part. I haven’t lost muscle and my weight is generally consistent. I must add that I changed to this woe for health benefits rather than weight loss. Having said that I have lost a few pounds along the way but not intentionally. It will take time for your body to get used to getting its energy from fat rather than carbs but if you give it time you will find it learns over time. Your energy levels should rise in time. Think of your challenge as secondary to your health benefits… it isn’t a quick fix, its a way of life.

I am 64, turning 65 this year and I run a 100 flights of stairs first thing when I get up (thats a 100 up and a 100 down) I do that between 28 & 34 mins depending how I feel when I get up and I do CrosaFit with all the youngsters and can hold my own with my level of fitness. I dance and have a very active job too. So believe me the energy levels will come but not over night.

Good luck Courtney and keep thinking health benefits first and weight loss second because the weight loss will happen but you will notice it more with they way your clothes feel than on the scales. In fact my biggest advice to you is after this challenge where you may have to use the scales … ditch them!

[FrankoBear]

So at 1800- 2,000 calories I’m in a deficit to lose weight, since I am trying to lose the most body fat in 8 weeks as possible for this transformation challenge.

I see so many people everywhere saying to not eat in a deficit and don’t track calories/macros, but I’m easily a person who can/will over eat if I don’t pay attention.
(One day I decided to eat until I was satiated with ground beef and steak, and I consumed so many calories that I was shocked)

Now I tell myself I need to be conscious of what I’m eating since I’m trying to lose body fat.

Hi Courtney, Welcome.

A note for you. Most of the women who do carnivore eating for body fat loss may eventually eat a calorie deficit. But they get there through satiety, rather than measuring or tracking a planned deficit. To scaffold a satiety response supply your self with good and adequate nutrition.

As per the good advice from the other posters there is time needed to adapt to a fat-burning metabolism. The other thing that happens over time, and it has been noted by @Alecmcq and @ctviggen, is that satiety signals can start returning to temper the confusion of over-eating.

If you talk to some of the experienced carnivores (like @Fangs), they will advise not to eat in a restricted way to lose body fat, as your body needs to be well nourished to lose the fat.

Hope you feel healthier soon, and great work on getting positive results with your gut issues.

[gingersmommy]

You’re asking your body to completely change the way it operates and that takes time to adapt to.

Agreed. Don’t lose sight of the “mechanism” that is your body and what is going on internally. Even though you are working toward optimal health, two weeks is a short time for an entire metabolic change and the benefits that develop over a period of time. Not only are you changing from carb burning to fat burning, your body is undergoing a system wide cleanse of so many accumulated toxins resulting from years of eating carbage. You may not feel your stamina completely returns until you are fat adapted. For me, that took 3-4 months and when it happened, I knew it immediately. I had tons of stamina and energy with no desire to eat in between meals or snack. Eat well, don’t hyper focus on your “diet” or way of eating, take comfort in the internal changes you can’t see, and let the time pass.

[Hi5bell]

4 week midpoint update on my challenge!

Lost 3% body fat
Lost 7 pounds
And!!! I lost NO MUSCLE.

(My new goal is to continue losing weight and body fat and to try and build muscle now)

Thank you everyone for all of the replies in the beginning of this! In 4 weeks I will post my ending results and pictures again!

[Hi5bell]

Final Update!

I have loved this new way of eating. It can seem to get a little pricey if you start to eat based on “wants” (Steak is my favorite food, especially a fatty ribeye). But my acid reflux improved TREMENDOUSLY and my heart burn only happened 2 times in the entire 8 weeks!!! I’m used to getting heartburn at least once a day, so this was wonderful!

I will stick to eating mostly carnivore but incorporate some low carb foods back in such as olives, avocados, Greek yogurt, and berries. (With an occasional cheat day after my long training runs)

I will recommend this diet to anyone who wants to truly experience a simple, gut healing these of eating.

Body changes:

[Hi5bell]

[robintemplin]

Fantastic transformation. Congrats!

[Hallie]

Well done Courtney, especially on having above average skeletal muscle Woohoo! You look strong and healthy and I hope you feel just as good

[Karen18]

Great photos you will be feeling very proud of yourself, well done you look fantastic xx